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An illustrated children’s book.
This is the story of Tonisha Ray and her struggles to have a relationship with her father. Although not a happy story, it is a powerful tale about a child’s ability to love.
Notes to parents.
The author strongly suggests that parents read this story with their children, as the actual message is directed more to the parent than the child.
The central message of the book is that parents should be very careful when disparaging or belittling each other in front of their children. Many of us have been through an unpleasant divorce, or just had some bad days with our partners, but we should be very careful that our feelings are not imposed upon our children. Children have a need for both parents, and one parent should not keep the child from the other. Children will love despite anything we might say. Children are basically loving and we should as parents cultivate that inherent desire in our children to love.
Another message of the book brings to light the old maxum, judge not. Tonisha’s father might perhaps appear to some as someone not worthy of her adoration. Yet the story clearly points out the many ways her father did, in fact, love her dearly.
An adult reader, and children who have found themselves in Tonisha’s plight, will feel the heartbreak Tonisha expresses at the end of the story. That is the key to this story, that heartbreak, that ache, that longing for love that Tonisha expresses. The author’s purpose was to force the reader to feel that deep emotion, to feel that pain, and perhaps say to themselves, I will not do that to my child, or I will not let that happen to me.
There is, though, in the end, the positive message of the all conquering power of love. Despite our flaws as parents and as a person, our children will love us. And so out of the mess we sometimes make of our lives, there will always be someone who loves us.
So, as you can see, this book is full of deep emotions and concepts. It is hoped by the author that parents will use this book as a tool to discuss some of life’s less pleasant aspects. We should not shield our children from all unpleasantness, but help them develop the tools and character to deal with it.
It is a beautiful book, beautifully illustrated, to just look at - the most beautiful of all the author’s works. There was a purpose in that, that it is through our pain, far more than happiness, that we appreciate beauty and love.
A mighty pain to love it is,
And ‘tis a pain that pain to miss.
Abraham Cowley
