LASTING LOVE

This gorgeous picture-book meditation on loss and family love is a useful tool for children navigating a first experience with death.

When Mama is diagnosed with cancer, a colorful and big-hearted creature joins the family, embodying Mama's love. Once Mama is gone, the creature stays, so that a young boy and his father know that love lasts forever.
The poignant, simple text and stunning illustrations address death directly. The book explores a deep but simple idea that focuses on the everlasting power of love. It understands that a book cannot "fix" a painful situation; just as the creature assures the child by keeping him company, the book assures the reader that they are not alone.

When a family member or another loved one becomes ill, one of the scariest aspects of their sickness is the way they may change, both physically and in spirit. The feeling of loss can come so early as the person becomes more difficult to recognize. It's a hard thing for anyone to understand, and especially so for a child. This book offers a helpful visualization of a sick person's essence as a friendly creature who remains strong and warm, even as the illness progresses. The creature is always around and never tries to cheer the child up, but only serves to keep them company.

Caroline Wright and Willow Heath clearly understand that, like the creature, a book cannot "fix" a painful situation or even make it a little better. Instead they simply reflect the pain of loss back to the reader and help them understand that they are not alone.

CAROLINE WRIGHT is a cookbook author, recipe developer, food stylist, and culinary writer. She is also a mother of two little boys and was diagnosed with the most aggressive brain cancer, a glioblastoma. She was given a year to live, and she decided to spend her time working on her legacy by writing stories to leave for her two boys. This book is one of them. Caroline is currently cancer-free and defying odds. She lives in Seattle with her family.

WILLOW HEATH is a visual artist, illustrator, storyteller, creative crafter, and art instructor. Willow has gained a reputation in many Seattle schools as the "storytelling artist." Her students are enthralled listening to tales of her Alaskan childhood adventures, which she also brings to life in her classroom illustrations. She is working on illustrating and writing her childhood tales, as well as teaching illustration and painting in schools. Willow lives in Seattle with her husband and son.