Illustrations by Yifei Gao
As parents, we never want to think about our children needing surgery, but nevertheless such situations can occur. Should those children also present developmental disabilities, then the whole issue becomes even more complicated. This early chapter book offers a wonderful way to guide kids through such complicated moments, using a beautiful metaphor, the one of the chrysalis. I loved this book so much and I think it should be part of every home library. Instead of burying our fears deep inside, it is for the best to acknowledge the unpredictable and be prepared to handle it.
My opinion:
The story revolves around Kaley, a girl who needs to have heart surgery, feeling overwhelmed at the multitude of doctors and the constant trips to the hospital. The whole experience feels surreal and, as a mother, I must admit that my heart skipped a beat. Kaley receives a beautiful book, one about a caterpillar. We all know that caterpillars turn into butterflies, after spending some time metamorphosing, in a chrysalis. This is the book that will offer Kaley the strength and courage to overcome the difficult moment in her life. You cannot read this book without crying, but these are good tears, as once again, we are shown that children are capable of amazing things.
As always, I am always passionate about books that are inspired by a true story. Chrysalis won me over, and I think that it offers an important lesson, the one of looking inside yourself and finding the strength to overcome difficult moments. Parents stand a lot to gain from reading this book with their children, especially since it contains a lot of information on how to handle surgical interventions and the post-recovery period. It focuses on resilience, a skill that can help anyone face the challenges of life. Most importantly, it is written in a simple language, so that early readers might attempt to read it on their own.
The story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations, and I think it also illustrates the strong love a mother bears for her children. Kaley’s mom is always there, offering her support and love, guiding the girl through the long recovery. And if you love butterflies, there is definitely something to be discovered in the story, guaranteed to make you smile. Just take your time and read this story to your child, as it might remind you of how precious life is, and how easily things can change. When coming at a difficult point in your child’s health, books like this one might be just what you needed to make it through.
Verdict:
This was a beautiful book to read, one which I would recommend to children and parents alike! I enjoyed following Kaley’s story and rooted for her to get better soon. At the same time, I felt emotional upon seeing how involved her mother was, doing whatever was necessary to help her through those difficult moments. The butterfly metaphor is a great choice, I think it adds to the emotion of the whole story. I will let you to discover who inspired the story, I am sure it will bring you a smile on your face. At the end of the book, there are several useful resources, such as a surgery checklist, a caregiver checklist, and a conversation guide for caregivers. Highly recommended!
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