My Father's Arms Are A Boat

Reading this book feels very much like reading a personal diary of someone who never invited me to do so.

It deals with grief, and consolation of family members. "My father's arms are a boat" is a line that leads one to believe that the child being swaddled is grieving the death of his mother, and

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the impending death of a grandmother who is in an old folks home. Its filled with ambiguation, but very pointedly leads to the conclusion that we are all much tougher than we believe we are, but getting through the rough spots is never easy. It is a book that must be read more than once, and can only be understood by someone dealing with the loss of a parent. Not for younger children.

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Soft images with few words tell a story of loss, of a mother and a father who lost his wife. As the father is transfixed by a fire glowing in the fireplace, the son cannot sleep in his bedroom where it feels dark and lonely.

When he comes to his father, he sees and feels sadness. And, he asks if his

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mother is asleep and if she will ever wake up again. The father gently tells him she will not return or wake up.

Softly, softly, the little one is cradled in his daddy's arms as a blanket is wrapped around the little boy who know is looking at the night.

As they return inside, still he cannot sleep and remains snuggled in his father's lap. Everything will be alright says his daddy! "Everything will be alright."

This is beautiful, lovely book.

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A beautifully written and translated book that discusses grief in a gentle yet straightforward manner. The pictures are stark, simple, and innovative.