Family
EverythingThat Shines
Joy Basdeo
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Joy Basdeo, also known as "Mrs B" is an educator, formerEnglish teacher, an avid reader and storyteller, mother of fourgrown children and grandmother of Zoë. Her weekly columnis intended to assist parents and children select books whichentertain and build character.
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Last week I was in New Brunswick, one ofthe Maritime provinces of Canada, and took the opportunity tolook for a children's book from that region. I found a story abouta big old horse named Shekinah, and a small girl named Maddiewho lived on a farm in Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Islandor PEI is also in the Maritime provinces.
This is a magical tale about the powerfulbonds of family and friendship, and about the wondrous light thatshines in everything when you love with all your heart evenafter the one you love is gone.
I thought that it would be helpful to childrendealing with loss, either of a family member or of a beloved pet.Around this age, many young children begin thinking about death,a very confusing topic for parents to deal with sensitively. Thisstory, which is based on a true story handles the subject extremelywell without being banal.
If you would like to read "EverythingThat Shines" by David Weale, it is available at the GeorgeTown Public Library. It can also be ordered from your bookseller,the publisher is Acorn Books and the book, which is illustratedby Dale McNevin, was published in 2001.
To sponsor this book and donate it to agovernment school as part of our Character Education Project,please email me at Joy.Basdeo@gov.ky, ask your bookseller to sendit to me at the Ministry of Education, 4th Floor Government AdministrationBuilding or drop it off at the Ministry.
Gift books can be given in the name of yourchildren, grand-children, your company, yourself or just someonespecial.
Gift books will have an acknowledgementon the inside front cover.
Support our children's good habits, givethe child, school, or library of your choice a good book. Makeevery day a Reading day.
Until next week, anda new storyHappy Reading!
Mrs B
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressedin this column are those of the writers, and are not binding onany individual or organization. They are intended solely as guidance.Parents should always use their own discretion in selecting readingmaterial for their children).