About This Book
Reach for this book when your child has experienced a significant loss and has become uncharacteristically withdrawn, quiet, or hesitant to engage with the things they once loved. It is a profound tool for children who have 'bottled up' their emotions as a defense mechanism against pain. The story follows a young girl who, after losing a beloved mentor, decides to put her heart in a bottle for safekeeping, only to find that doing so also robs her of her curiosity and joy. Oliver Jeffers uses gentle metaphors to explain how protecting ourselves from sadness can also distance us from the beauty of the world. While the catalyst is a death, the book focuses on the process of emotional reopening and resilience. It is a life affirming choice for children aged 4 to 8, providing a safe, secular space to discuss why we feel 'heavy' and how we can find the courage to be vulnerable again. It helps parents validate that while grief is hard, staying open to the world is the only way to find wonder once more.
