Always Sisters is a heartfelt story about loss and love. Miscarriage is a hard loss to face and a hard topic to discuss with anyone. Always Sisters opens up the topic in the most eloquent way. A true masterpiece children’s literature.
~ Momma Braga
Synopsis
Raya can’t wait for her baby sister to arrive. She’s already got a name – Nura – and Raya is certain they’ll be best friends. She’s got all kinds of plans for things they’ll do together like run through the sprinklers, play dress-up, and give piggyback rides.
But one day, Mama returns from the doctor with tears in her eyes. Nura won’t be coming home after all. Raya feels confused and sad, like all the love she has for Nura is trapped inside her. With the help of family, friends, and her school counselor, though, Raya finds a way to grieve this loss and to share the love she’ll always feel for her sister.
#MelAndNikkiReview
Always Sisters touches on a sensitive and to many a taboo topic. It is done in such an eloquent way that it truly captivated our hearts. We all experience loss at one point or another in our lives. This story takes the readers on the emotional rollercoaster of dealing with loss and ends with so much love.
Miscarriage is always difficult to talk about and even more so for children. I know that when I had my miscarriage it was hard to share that news with adults. I can not even imagine how heartbreaking it is to share with your children as well. However, Always Sisters offers a beautiful story that can be shared with children.
For this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give this book 5 sunshine’s out of 5! A much needed children’s book about navigating the difficult experience of grief and losing a loved. The story is told at the level of a young reader and offers a tender look at a family’s experience of pregnancy loss. We loved reading it so much and it was a great way to open up the topic to our daughter Nikki who is nine years of age.
It was a sad story but I love how they honor the sister’s memory by planting a tree. It is like she is growing with them and always there. ~ Nikki, Age 9
This story is great for children ages four to eight. If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, click here.
About the Author
Saira Mir is a physician and author of the award-winning picture book Muslim Girls Rise, which she wrote for her daughter and other children to have Muslim feminist role models. As an OB-GYN, she has cared for many families through pregnancy loss, but could not find the book she needed to help support her daughter through grief over her own family’s loss, which inspired her to write Always Sisters. She lives in the DC area with her kids and is always on the hunt for the next best playground and bubble tea.
Shahrzad Maydani is an illustrator and storyteller living and working in Berkeley, California. She was raised in Africa by an Iranian mother and an English father, and she spent her childhood collecting and telling stories. She now spends books Poetree and Always Sisters.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
* Please note that this book was provided in exchange of an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
