Treasure in the Teacup - Children's Book About Loss of a Loved One
TREASURE IN THE TEACUP is a book, intended for children ages 4 - 12 (or anyone!) that takes the reader through a color-coded journey of emotions. The book discusses loss in a loving, enlightened, and innovative way uncovering the beauty and understanding of human emotion.
When Poppy passes on his grandchildren feel crushed and confused. How can they feel sad that Poppy is gone, but at the same time happy and proud for the life he lived and on top of it all, excited about all of the visiting cousins and family members? What does it all mean? While grappling with their emotions, the children come across an old, broken teacup Poppy left them. The color of the teacup is opal with its glints of all colors, just like loss seems to leave behind glints of all emotions. As the children attempt to put the teacup back together—to make sense of it, so to speak—they accidentally embark on a magical journey to Poppy’s past. On their quest, they are challenged to help the much-younger Poppy find something he has lost as they grapple with their own recent loss. Will they succeed? Will they ever make it home?
Their journey is fraught with confusion and emotion, but the children learn that all emotions emerging through tragedy are part of a beautiful treasure left behind. To further illustrate this concept, the pages go from black-and-white as color slowly blooms, page by page, until the final page is full-color. Death is perhaps one of the hardest parts of life, yet children sometimes move forward with little understanding of the complex emotions they experience. This children's book is about living and discovering the hidden treasures following the loss of a dear person. This book is about resilience.
Inspired by a true story and brought together through the imagination of many people, this story will have you ready to break out your treasures and explore with your family. Perhaps, even go on your own magical journey.
Dana lives in Glen Allen, VA with her husband, Steve, and two inspiring daughters, Gianna and Serafina. Dana is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and holds a B.A in Psychology as well as an M.S in Applied Ger- ontology. She has also volunteered for hospice. As a mother (who has seen her children's resiliency through loss), she knows all children should have the opportunity to discover their own personal treasures waiting to be discovered.