by Saira Mir
Illustrated by Shahrzad MayDani
Published August 22, 2023
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Hardcover Picture Book
Fiction
32 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher
Goodreads Summary
This much-needed picture book about navigating the difficult experience of pregnancy loss meets young readers at their level to offer a tender look at grieving someone who never entered the world.Raya can’t wait for her baby sister to arrive. She’s already got a name—Nura—and Raya is certain they’ll be best friends. She’s got all kinds of plans for things they’ll do together like run through the sprinklers, play dress-up, and give piggyback rides.
But one day, Mama returns from the doctor with tears in her eyes. Nura won’t be coming home after all. Raya feels confused and sad, like all the love she has for Nura is trapped inside her. With the help of family, friends, and her school counselor, though, Raya finds a way to grieve this loss and to share the love she’ll always feel for her sister.
This sweet book portrays the excitement of a new sibling about to enter the world and the feelings of loss, confusion and sadness of a lost pregnancy in a way that is straightforward without being scary.
It is an important reminder that siblings also grieve after this kind of loss.
The illustrations are soft and fuzzy. Color changes and patterns are used to show emotional changes throughout the story.
This book would make a great addition to a collection about grief and loss.
