A Customer's Comment about Explaining Death with The Dragonfly Door:
"In 1998, my father died of cancer; and I never really understood why he left and when I would see him again. About January of '07 I stumbled across this book, and in reading it I found that I really did always have the answers to those and other questions that I had, it just took time for me to realize and understand. And this book really helped me to do that, and others will benefit from "The Dragonfly Door" and I truly believe that other grieving people will too. Thank you so much for working so hard on this wonderful story."
An Independent Review:
"The warm, emotional colors ... illustrate this highly recommended picturebook for sharing the bittersweet realities of life with young people."
-- The Midwest Book Review
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What is The Dragonfly Door?
The Dragonfly Door is a fictional story about loss and change, based on the life cycle of the dragonfly. Intended to be read to a child by an adult, The Dragonfly Door offers parents an opportunity to express their own views about life and death.
Teachers find this book useful because it encourages young children to talk about a death, loss or change. Nym, one of the main characters, grieves the loss of her friend, Lea. Some children identify with Nym and may be more willing to write or talk about a loss after hearing the story in class. An in-class discussion may also incorporate the real life cycle of the dragonfly, which is included at the back of the book.
Nym continues her life underwater with others in the marsh, still sad because she misses her friend, Lea. Through a vision or dream, Nym learns that someday she will see her friend again in a new world where Lea has gone.
Some parents and grandparents interpret Lea's transformation into a beautiful dragonfly, living in a new place, as a metaphor for heaven or as an analogy to life after death. Based on this interpretation, the core message of the story becomes one of hope for those who grieve the loss of someone.
The Dragonfly Door may serve many purposes, such as comforting a grieving child or providing facts about dragonflies. Beautifully illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson, the book is cherished by parents, grandparents and teachers.
An Excerpt from This Book:
While Nym slept, she heard Lea's voice saying, "Follow me, Nym. I'm going to show you where I am." "Will I see you again?" Nym asked. "Only when it's time for you to die too," Lea replied. "You won't see me in the marsh ever again. But let me show you what I will look like the next time you see me. Here, close your eyes." Nym closed her eyes. "Now look at me," Lea said. Nym opened her eyes and saw ...
written by John Adams / illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson
ISBN-13: 978-1-934066-12-6
ISBN-10: 1-934066-12-5
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