Ruth Baer has written a powerful little book that is huge in love.
Although published under Triadkids, this book is not a typical fun children's book.
Mrs. Baer's beloved granddaughter, about 15 months old, dies. Everyone is devastated. This little spirit who was just beginning to explore her world with the greatest of joy, is gone.
Heartbreaking.
What Mrs. Baer does is to use that grief, not only as an homage to Samantha Rose, but has included photographs of her life and family and was inspired by Samantha's older brother Jacob to put his perspective to these remembrances. Although a child who has crossed over is physically gone, they never leave our hearts. And for those who unfortunately have dealt with this kind of loss, this book may be a good way to deal with surviving children's confusion and grief.
The back cover states that Mrs. Baer's wording was inspired by Jacob, Samantha's brother's memories of his sister. I really would have appreciated a simple statement to that effect to be included right at the start of Samantha's story - like Jacob remembers when Samantha was born, etc.
It is a small thing, but as I read, I wanted the story of this dear child's life to enfold without a question whose point of view was telling the story - child or grandmother?
If you have faced this kind of loss, my heart goes out to you - if you have other children, perhaps this book will be a catalyst to help the surviving children remember their lost sibling.
A beautiful homage to a precious child.
ellen george
Book review of Samantha Rose by Ruth Baer, ISBN 10: 0-9815045-9-0, Triadkids (Triad Publishing Group), review by ellen george
