Consumer Critique: The Gift of the Ladybug

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

I get the chance sometimes to read children's books that are fun for kids, but also important for adults. The Gift of the Ladybug is one such book. Written about two horses who find they have a ladybug for a child, they cope with having a different child and one that won't live long. The story was written by a mother who had just been told her son wouldn't live to see his second birthday. In her words:

Not only did The Gift of the Ladybug provide comfort to me and my family when we needed it most, but it helped us reframe how we looked at our circumstances. When times got hard, we embodied the story. We would remind ourselves that TJ was our ladybug and that he could never be a horse. And if TJ could face his fate with joy, laughter, love, and peace, we could find a way to do the same. Our wise little ladybug gave us a glimpse of what it is like to fly.

While we haven't had to deal with childhood death in our family, I am still glad my daughters got to read this book. It provides a lighthearted look at differences, hope, and mortality. It's not a depressing book by any means, and it's a gentle way to introduce dealing with disappointment to young kids.