The Good for Nothing Puddle: Finding Hope When You're Stuck in Sadness by Jana Jackson & illustrated by Abby Jartos

On today's book market, there is a plethora of children's picture books that deal with a variety of emotions or social mores. I tend to veer away from them as we can sometimes create issues by addressing a problem that really doesn't exist in the mind and heart of the child. But this book is an interesting concept and presentation to handling grief. So if you and or your child are in the throes of a grief battle, perhaps this will benefit you. 

My thoughts:  As you open the book the illustrations stark line-drawings are the first to capture your interest. Somewhat different from the usual children's picture book. Lots of black lines and grey shadings. No background imagery to flesh-out the starkness. It isn't weird. It's just stark and devoid of happy colors and brightness of spirit.

The book is directed to the heart of the grief process and the depth and weightiness that a child can experience when faced with grief and loss. Pictured is probably an elementary age child. Longish legs, slender build. Definitely not toddler or preschooler. But not a teen.

So just how much "grief" and sense of "loss" does a child experience? I personally don't know and haven't had to deal with that for my own children. True, my children lost beloved grandparents through death and they were certainly sad. They loved and were loved by these dear ones. But I did not sense a depth of despair in their sadness. That is not to say that it doesn't happen. Loss of a parent or a sibling can probably wreck havoc on a child's spirits. So when it happens, those who care and tend the child need to have an arsenal from which to draw to uplift their spirits. 

In The Good For Nothing Puddle the child has deep seated pain from losing a loved one. She tries to push down her feelings of loss and get on with living, but it doesn't work and she begins to weep in despair. The result is a puddle - a good for nothing puddle.

Along come different personages that benefit from the properties of her little good for nothing puddle. She eventually realizes that the puddle does serve a good purpose.

I found the book enlightening as to the grief, or loss, experience of a child. I found, too, that our sad emotions give us lessons that may prove beneficial to someone else that comes along in our lives.

Therefore, I think this is a beneficial book. Perhaps your child has a friend that is sad. Reading this book to your child may help him or her understand their friend's sadness. Or perhaps you will find the book and gentle story beneficial in helping your own child to handle deep-seated loss and grief emotions.

I recommend.

About the book: The Good for Nothing Puddle is a powerful picture book that helps kids (and adults!) find hope when grief feels overwhelming. Through a touching story and beautiful illustrations, this book reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is near.

In this powerful picture book about a girl experiencing loss, The Good for Nothing Puddle helps children explore the nature of grief and loss and leads them to find hope and redemption from pain.

When a girl loses the thing she loves the most, her tears gather into a puddle around her feet that follows her everywhere she goes. At first, she tries her best to make it go away, but it is inescapable. She even cries out to God to take it away. 

Eventually, a puppy, a farmer, and an artist stumble upon the girl and her puddle. Each one finds the puddle extremely useful in their own way and slowly the girl begins to understand that her “good for nothing” puddle might just be good for something after all! As she learns to accept her grief, she begins to find happiness again. Filled with moments of sorrow and joy, The Good for Nothing Puddle is a powerful metaphor for dealing with difficult emotions and navigating grief while holding onto faith.

The Good for Nothing Puddle:

• Is for children who have experienced loss of any kind, big or small
• Was reviewed and endorsed by a Christian counselor specializing in child therapy
• Teaches children as well as adults how to find hope in darkness
• Is filled with lively and dramatic illustrations
• Is great for families as well as Sunday school classes and church libraries, and anyone struggling to find God amid sadness

Purchase Your Copy - Click Here

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Giveaway is hosted by FrontGate Media and publisher or author. Prize is provided by host. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.