Illustrated by Ronald Himler. 32 pages. Eerdmans, 2008.
Even when severely traumatized, children can find hope by keeping with them someone they have lost. In this deeply moving book, based on a true story, four-year-old Kim’s mama dies when their village in Vietnam is bombed. She whispers her last words to Kim: “Don’t be afraid … I will always be with you.” Partially blinded and left for dead, Kim reminds herself of her mama’s words. Eventually, American soldiers find her and take her to an orphanage, where she lives for five years. In the care of loving foster parents there, she is able to make friends, and to reclaim her capacities to learn and to play. Kim uses play as well as words to keep her mama’s love with her. Her foster parents acknowledge the pain of her loss. Along with their reassurance, the memory of her mama’s words allows her to cope with living in a terrifying world. For children who have sustained terrible losses, Kim’s story can serve as a powerful source of hope.
Ages: 8-12
Cultural Context: multicultural
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