Prairie Moon Books will be hosting author Anne Fontaine for a special FREE event. 

In the book, Ocho Loved Flowers, a little girl is devastated when her cat Ocho becomes ill. The story describes the whole process of loss, beginning with a fatal diagnosis for Ocho, tracing the cat’s decline and then his death.

 Publishers Weekly writes, “Girl and mom attentively care for Ocho, grieve when he dies and learn to cherish his memory.”

It’s a tender story beautifully illustrated, that guides adults, as well as children, in handling the questions and feelings that arise when a loved one, be it pet or person, dies. Fontaine says that what we teach children about grief, and death, stays with them for life. “They need to know that they’re not alone and that death is a natural process,” she says.

 “The adults in the book – the vet, the little girl’s mother – help her feel emotionally held while helping her understand and grieve.”

Anne Fontaine was raised on a farm in Iowa with lots of animals. She launched The Annie Series in 2007 with Ocho Loved Flowers, the heartwarming story of a little girl who learns about love, responsibility, and loss when her cat, Ocho, becomes sick and isn’t going to get well.

Anne lives and works in Seattle with her husband.  They have two cats, Splotch and Mija.   If you visit the Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park, you may meet Anne, who volunteers there.   

"I love the book. It’s beautiful, wise, important and dear."

 ––Jacqui Banaszynski
Winner, 1988 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing
Faculty, Missouri School of Journalism and The Poynter Institute

“The book so lovingly addresses both the anticipatory grief period and bereavement.  The pictures are fresh and welcoming.  They capture the reality that hope and love can walk amidst the confusing and overwhelming feelings that can be part of the grief experience.”

Maureen Horgan, LICSWChildren's Grief Counselor

“A great tool for parents seeking to support a child in understanding loss or illness. Anne Fontaine’s book will help adults as well as children through some tough issues surrounding death. Parents and other adults will find in Ocho Loved Flowers a great example of discussing death openly, and of supporting children through the pain they naturally feel with the loss of a pet. As a veterinarian, though, my favorite aspect of the book is the support that the family gives to their cat, Ocho. They discover how to care for him and keep him comfortable, supporting Ocho with kindness as well as medical help throughout his terminal illness.”

 ––Deborah Tegarden,  DVM
Elliott Bay Animal Hospital, Seattle WA

Can't make it?  Contact the store to reserve a signed copy.

http://www.annieseries.com/