Coping with loss can feel impossible. Going through the motions of normal life without a loved one who was always there feels all wrong. And the death of a parent, especially for a young child, can be even harder. For Jazmine, coping with the loss of her father, a man who was an important part of her life and her family, a huge supporter of her interests, and a best friend, is a struggle every day. But by leaning on the family and friends still around her, and the things she loves, she just might be able to get through it. Not over it, because we never truly ‘get over’ the loss of someone so near and dear to us, but through it, so she can still enjoy her life, even tinged with the sadness of grief. Let’s Celebrate! A Child's Journey Through Grief, Book 3 by Ta’Shay Mason is a story of grief that children can understand and relate to, even if we wish they never had to.

Jazmine is an extremely relatable character for children who are experiencing grief. Because the truth is that grief isn’t just one-dimensional. Jazmine experiences her grief strongly, but she also experiences love, happiness, humor, and so many more emotions. Let’s Celebrate! explores not just how grief can affect us, but also how it’s okay to still be happy and enjoy things in life even when a loved one is gone and even when you’re still experiencing sadness at the same time. It’s written extremely well and has beautiful, vibrant illustrations by Ananta Mohanta throughout that enhance the story even more. Ta’Shay Mason has written a story that truly captures an extremely difficult time in a child’s life.

The loss of a loved one is something difficult to face, but Let’s Celebrate! approaches the subject in a way that is appropriate for children. In this book, Ta'Shay Mason tells Jazmine’s story. She loves to participate in recitals, where her dad used to cheer her on and record her. But now that he has passed away, things are not the same, and she can't help but feel sad. She relies on her mother and aunt, who record her and cheer her on from their seats. Things seem to be going well, but soon it will be Jazmine's birthday, and she doesn't want to celebrate because she feels it wouldn't be right to do so without her dad. Her mother understands, and they go together to a special place, where they look at a photo album to remember the good times. In this way, mother and daughter have a conversation about their feelings and the importance of continuing to appreciate life.

Let's Celebrate! is a beautiful story about overcoming pain and loss. I really like that the narrative is told from Jazmine’s point of view because it feels natural. She shares the good and bad moments of her day and how her family does everything they can to make her feel better. She also tells us about her inner feelings, which are not always easy to express. This makes it easy to identify with Jazmine, who is a strong girl trying to move forward. Additionally, the illustrations by Ananta Mohanta are charming, expressive, and show a wide range of emotions. Ta'Shay Mason shows us that it's okay to be sad, but sharing our feelings is what helps us grow and improve.

It’s difficult to lose a loved one. Children especially find it hard to understand why someone they love, like a parent, has died and is no longer with them. In Ta’Shay Mason’s Let’s Celebrate!, Jazmine is learning to do fun things again, even though her Daddy is no longer with her. At her ballet recital, she remembers how proud he was of her and how he would record all her performances. Who will record them now? This is where family, even an extended family, comes in. It’s a difficult time for everyone, but Jazmine learns that it’s okay to carry on, and, yes, sometimes it’s okay to cry a little. After all, Daddy was a special person in her life.

Ta’Shay Mason’s picture book, Let’s Celebrate!, is the third in A Child’s Journey Through Grief. The story unfolds with care and compassion as the author shares Jazmine’s feelings of loss and grief. Beginning with young Jazmine in her ballet costume, sitting on her bed, feeling sad because Daddy won’t be there for her recital, is a poignant start to a very touching story. The plot evolves from that moment, always allowing Jazmine to reflect on what it would have been like had Daddy been there. As she progresses through her grief, she learns valuable lessons about family and friends and how important it is to care for and help one another. The language is simple, allowing young readers to follow along and improve their reading skills easily. The illustrations are bright, bold, and colorful, adding to the aura of celebration. This is a very touching story.