The Tangerine Tree honors a child's grief through sensory details of Jamaica and a secret bond that bridges the distance to America. Ida finds strength in a living anchor that makes her father's love feel tangible. Books in this family share an honest look at separation, private family rituals, and physical objects that represent emotional connections.
Reach for this book when your child is facing a long-term separation from a parent, especially due to work travel, military deployment, or economic migration. It gently addresses the heavy heart a child carries when a loved one must leave, offering a concrete way to maintain a connection despite the distance. In this story set in Jamaica, young Ida must say goodbye to her father as he leaves for the United States to earn money for the family. The narrative explores the physical and emotional landscape of parting, focusing on a special secret shared between father and daughter involving the family tangerine tree. It is a tender, realistic choice for children aged 5 to 8 who are learning how to balance the sadness of goodbye with the hope of a future reunion. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's grief while providing a symbolic 'tether' to hold onto.
