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Reviewed by Julia Schemmer for Readers' Favorite
Children’s books are incredibly powerful vehicles of social messaging. When a book is written for a younger audience, it not only has the opportunity to teach and create space for challenging conversations among children but for their parents and caretakers as well. In My Guiding Star by Richard J. Mihans II, the main character Richie embarks on a journey full of change. He must adapt to unfamiliar, challenging situations like his grandmother moving away during his youth and seeing his grandmother pass away during his adulthood. But one thing connects Richie to the people he loves - the stars.
I truly enjoyed My Guiding Star by Richard J. Mihans II because of its lessons on grief. Although it was written for a younger audience, I was reading the book after coming home from a hospital visit with my father, and it particularly struck me as a beautiful way to approach the grieving process. Although we may miss the people we love, the impact that they share with us is forever felt, guiding our decisions and helping us remember who we are. As kids adjust to new circumstances and changes like big moves or grief, this book is a positive, healthy reminder to keep looking up. The book is written with rich imagery and symbolism, showing how when we look up at the stars and the immensity of the night sky, we aren’t alone, after all. This is a powerful way to show kids - and adults - how to cope with grief healthily and remember that the people we love never truly leave us. They are always a part of the tapestry of who we are, and to grieve deeply is to love deeply.
