Honest, Straightforward, Beautiful

While there are many books for children that address death and loss, I have yet to come across one as straight forward and beautiful as Lisa Boivin’s We Dream Medicine Dreams.

This is the story of a little girl and her grandfather, of his teachings about medicine dreams and of his death. Throughout the story we learn of all the beautiful teachings Grampa has bestowed on his granddaughter, how he teaches her about the animals that come in our dreams, why they come and what they teach us about ourselves and about life. It comes to pass that Grampa is in the hospital on life support and he will not wake up, so Gramma and Mom have decided to remove the ventilator. The little girl asks to take one last nap with Grampa to dream with him one last time.

First and foremost the illustrations are so moving and beautiful. Lisa Boivin’s paintings appear like collages made with paper, cut to create animals, people, landscapes, medical equipment and medicines. The people in the story are created without facial features allowing all readers to feel a personal connection to the story. The vibrant colours invite us all in and prepare us for what is to come.

The lyrical text navigates readers through a very confusing and difficult time for a child. Losing a loved one is hard and something that parents struggle addressing with their children. I LOVED how this book was so straightforward and frank. No euphemisms, not allusions to death, readers learn that Grampa is in a coma and will be taken off life support and die. We tend to try and shelter and hide these things from children but by doing so we create more confusion in their minds. When we are straightforward and direct but also kind and nurturing, we can travel this road with our children with greater understanding. When the little girl has one final nap and dream with her Grampa in the hospital it struck me how healing that would be for the whole family. An incredibly beautiful moment for readers to see the girl to spend this last time with Grampa. It's not framed as scary or yucky, but nurturing and loving. 

We Dream Medicine Dreams is a definite must have for your bookshelves.