About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with a recent move or feels like an outsider in their new surroundings. It is a comforting balm for the specific kind of loneliness that comes from leaving behind a beloved landscape and the animals associated with home. The story follows a young girl from the West Indies who feels lost in the concrete canyons of New York City until she discovers a magical urban tradition: the Blessing of the Animals. While the setting is a cathedral, the emotional core is universal, focusing on how shared wonder can bridge the gap between where we were and where we are now. It is particularly appropriate for elementary-aged children navigating the intersection of cultural identity and new beginnings. Parents will appreciate the way it validates a child's grief for their old home while gently opening the door to new friendships and community belonging.
