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Loss is real, especially in the face of the cancer epidemic and the pandemic. The youngest members of our society frequently experience feelings of confusion, misplaced anger, anxiety and feelings of general uncertainty about life after losing a loved one. Our children often require long-term coping strategies to help them move forward, not past grief, but to move forward with it. Something Lost Something Found aims to help families with children affected by loss, navigate through the long-term complexities of grief, by bringing childhood memories into focus.
While Something Lost Something Found is Natalia’s debut as an author, she has been fervently writing children’s stories for the last decade. Her writing is inspired by her own experiences as a mother of two children and her quest to perceive the world through their lens.
Reviewed by A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite
Something Lost Something Found by Natalia Paruzel-Gibson tells us the story of Ella. Ella is missing someone in her life: her mother. She has good memories of doing things with her family, particularly her mother, so she begins a search to find happiness again. She admires a classmate, Margo, who always seems happy, but Ella only catches a cold from her. She also hears that money cannot buy happiness and decides to give her money away. Then, she believes that if she just waits at home, happiness will find her. Halloween comes, and she dresses as a witch, thinking that she will be able to concoct a magical brew to help her find happiness. Her brother tells their dad, and he comforts her, telling her something she needs to hear. It also gives her another idea. Will Ella ever find the happiness she has lost?
Something Lost Something Found by Natalia Paruzel-Gibson contains a gentle story about a young girl striving desperately to find a way to deal with the loss of her mother. In the book, Ella does not cry, but she is sad and determined, struggling with grief that may not be immediately apparent to readers. Her efforts to find happiness are imaginative and sweet yet sincere. The book’s illustrations are simply beautiful and bring to life not only the reality of Ella’s life and her attempts to discover happiness, but also her imagination. The author’s message is subtle but well written and touching. Young and old readers alike will benefit from sharing this touching book, and the discussion it will start.
