You know how things come in waves? Well lately I have noticed a rather large and sad wave of pet passings among people I know. Some of these people have small children. I wondered, how on earth do you explain the passing of a pet to a little kid? Kids view pets as members of their families. How do you make it so they understand on some level what happened while not scaring them or confusing them, and still comfort them in such a sad time? How do you keep a focus on the wonderful life that was lived while respecting the process and necessity of death? And how do you do all this while not wigging your kid out? I have a dog! I have kids! True, my dog is only three, so it'll hopefully be some time before this conversation comes up, but I am a mom, and moms worry about things that won't happen for several years if it involves their kids. You know, because we have nothing better to do.
And then you know how a question is on your mind, and out of the blue comes an answer? Such was the case when I was unexpectedly asked to review a new children's book, Orbit the Angel Cat, by Michael Joyce and Linda Max Collins. The book is described as "a gentle meditation on the loss of life, care for the dying, and the abiding hope that love will always prevail."
I waited to read it when I was feeling thick skinned, since I cry at a leaf falling from a tree. The book starts off with three kitty siblings waiting for the snow to stop so they can go play outside, while a fourth kitty, Sam, lay sleeping on the couch. Sam is feeling sick and has no interest in the snow or playing outside. (You see where this is going. Oh, poor Sam. Cue the tears.)
In the book, Orbit the Angel Cat pays a visit to Sam to help him through this time and "to help him remember love." The other three cats are initially a little confused at Orbit's presence, but quickly realize that this cat has brought a peaceful, happy energy to Sam and the whole room. What transpires is a sweet and thoughtful interpretation of what it's like to move on to the afterlife in a natural, quiet and serene way - the way we all hope it is.
Complementing the sweet and simple text are illustrations that perfectly bring the story to visual life. The colors are comforting and muted, but still bold enough to hold kids' attention and tell the story. Both the text and the illustrations are very appropriate for young children as well as older kids. They don't attempt in any way to be that kind of "kid-trendy" you see in recent modern kidlit; they remain classic and straightforward-yet-gentle, just the way a book of this nature should be. Imagine the best hug you ever got, the one that made you feel super comforted and secure and SO much better... Orbit the Angel Cat is that hug, but in a book version!
The length of the book is perfect for young children, long enough to bring across the message but not so long that kids will become distracted. Even the size of the book is great, a nice medium size and weight that kids of any age can handle on their own.
It occurred to me after reading Orbit the Angel Cat that this book is not just for a child who has lost a pet; it easily and beautifully translates to other situations where a child has experienced a loss, whether it be a family member, teacher, friend, etc. It can be a useful tool for parents, counselors, teachers, and psychologists. And its audience is not just limited to children, either. People of all ages can benefit from the message of Orbit the Angel Cat, which makes me think what a sweet gift it would be for an adult who has recently lost a pet. It also occurred to me that this book fits well into a child's library even without the loss of a pet or other loved one. Though it is sad to read about a character that dies, there is so much sweetness and kindness in this story, it is really a nice read and would help to round out any kid's bookshelf. It truly is a universal story for us all.
So a big thumbs up for Orbit the Angel Cat! I feel like a better person for having read it! Plus now I know just what to do if, heaven forbid, the subject comes up in our household. You can find Orbit the Angel Cat here.
