{"id":37309,"date":"2020-03-25T20:51:52","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T00:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37309"},"modified":"2020-03-25T20:51:52","modified_gmt":"2020-03-26T00:51:52","slug":"review-of-my-fathers-words-by-patricia-maclachlan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37309","title":{"rendered":"Review of My Father’s Words, by Patricia MacLachlan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>My Father\u2019s Words<\/em><\/p>\n

by Patricia MacLachlan<\/p>\n

Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins), 2018. 135 pages.
\nStarred Review
\nReview written October 29, 2018, from a book sent by the publisher
\n2018 Sonderbooks Stand-out<\/a>:
\n#3 Contemporary Children’s Fiction<\/p>\n

My Father\u2019s Words<\/em> is a stunningly beautiful book.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a beginning chapter book about the death of a father. But it\u2019s beautiful.<\/p>\n

Fiona and Finn\u2019s father Declan was a psychologist, gentle and wise. The book begins with him making omelets for his kids, and on page 7 he\u2019s killed in a car accident.<\/p>\n

The book is about dealing with his death.<\/p>\n

Their mother and their friends gather round. Even one of their father\u2019s patients helps Fiona. But the biggest help, especially for Finn, is when they go to an animal shelter and spend time with the rescue dogs.<\/p>\n

Their father\u2019s will said not to have a funeral, but to have a party.<\/p>\n

The party for my father was somehow both joyful and sad, with laughter and tears all mixed up. Finn and I were confused at that. My grandparents were ill and far away and couldn\u2019t come. My mother spoke to them every day on the phone. But cousins and aunts and uncles came. And friends.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The book is full of memories. Those are set apart in a different font. And from their father\u2019s patients, we learn many wise things that their father said. And those wise things help them heal as well as show love and receive love from the rescue dogs.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to explain how beautiful this little book is. But I was thoroughly blessed and uplifted by reading it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to recommend to young readers a book about a father dying. But this lovely book is about healing, and I think kids will respond to it. After all, they know more about sadness than we realize \u2013 so why not read about dealing with sadness?<\/p>\n

Note: I ended up posting this review exactly six months after my own father died. When I read it, I had no idea it would so soon be so applicable. Yes, it’s good to read about dealing with deep sadness and appreciating those you’ve loved who are no longer here.<\/p>\n

harpercollinschildrens.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Fiction\/my_fathers_words.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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