Stein Erik Lunde

The story of a restless night for a father and son as they cope with the grief of losing a wife and mother. The father and son talk, look at the stars, and hold each other close. This story perfectly captures the feeling of grief; you can really feel the sadness and emptiness of these characters on this cold winter night. The text is haunting and gentle and the illustrations are so different from anything I've seen: photographs of 3-D paper sculptures with simple pen and ink drawings. The show more last page of the story feels all too true for families dealing with loss: "'Everything will be all right,' says Daddy. 'Are you sure?' 'I'm sure.'" I can see this book stirring up a lot of questions and conversation. show less

"It's quieter now than it's ever been," in a nearly colorless room, and a sleepless child goes to his solitary father for comfort, asking about the birds and the fox outdoors, and whether his mother will ever wake again, and is told, "'No, not where she is now.'" The pair venture out, the boy wrapped in his father's coat and arms, seeking solace in the stars and the wide, winter night. Warm color suffuses the house when they return, both reassured that "'Everything will be all right,'" as show more outside red-breasted birds eat proffered bread and the sky lightens. Cut-paper diorama and ink illustrations are haunting. show less

"It's quieter now than it's ever been," in a nearly colorless room, and a sleepless child goes to his solitary father for comfort, asking about the birds and the fox outdoors, and whether his mother will ever wake again, and is told, "'No, not where she is now.'" The pair venture out, the boy wrapped in his father's coat and arms, seeking solace in the stars and the wide, winter night. Warm color suffuses the house when they return, both reassured that "'Everything will be all right,'" as show more outside red-breasted birds eat proffered bread and the sky lightens. Cut-paper diorama and ink illustrations are haunting. show less

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 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 show more 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. show less