Customer Reviews

The Dragonfly Door - a Mom's Choice Awards Recipient

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I received this wonderfully beautiful book on the 8th anniversary of my son's graduation to Heaven ... that evening, I was able to read it with his daughter, who is now 9... I believe she gained another understanding of her Very Own Daddy in a beautiful place that we have not seen just yet ... and though she already knew he is waiting for her, this was another good reminder of that ... I was unaware of the dragonfly's life cycle and was so blessed to see how it seemingly parallels this life and the next. Thank you, John, for a wonderful way to help us all in our continuing journey with grief and the Hope we can have.

I'd like to share some thoughts that other reviewers have touched on briefly or not at all.

I almost didn't purchase The Dragonfly Door because I thought it might be too overtly religious for the people I wanted to share it with. Fortunately, I did order it. The book can be interpreted on many different levels; the reader will bring to it what he or she likes or needs. The story will appeal to members of all denominations as well as to people who belong to no organized religion. Lea's "special place" can be just that, or the reader may choose to call it "heaven." The factual section on dragonflies at the end of the book adds yet another dimension. You or your child will enjoy The Dragonfly Door even if you have not lost a friend or relative. For me, the story brought back vivid memories of my own "lost" childhood.

The art is bright, simple, and will appeal to children. It enhances the text, sets the mood, clarifies emotions, and provides clues to the meaning of words. But it's the language I love most. It is natural, alive, playful, concrete, colorful. The words speak to the imagination. The dragonfly nymphs don't just run while playing tag: they "zigzag between the rocks" as the beetles and minnows "dart through the reeds." Nym "pokes" Lea with one of her legs as she squeals "You're it!" You can see the colors on the water, hear the laughter in Lea's voice, and feel the cold of the night or the softness of a leaf. You can hear Nym's voice "crack" with anger, see her mouth "quiver" when she realizes Lea is gone, and experience the silence and sadness of the empty nest.

Sometimes the art goes where words cannot go. Every character has a personality and a voice--even the sea creatures who don't speak (what they're thinking and feeling shows clearly on their faces). The artist's use of color, light and shadow, her rendition of Nym's dream and Lea's "special place" are nothing short of brilliant.

The characters are real. Leah's love for Nym is a shining presence throughout the book. Nym's playfulness, short-lived temper tantrum, sadness, anxiety, and hope all ring true. After Lea disappears, the questions Nym asks her in a dream are the same questions children are most likely to ask.

There are big life lessons in The Dragonfly Door about "loss and change," if the reader wishes to interpret the book on this level. But there are little life lessons as well. Nym is always polite with the other sea creatures, and she doesn't hesitate to say she's sorry when she realizes she has behaved inappropriately. Lea doesn't deny Nym's rebellious feelings or respond to anger with anger. At a critical moment, she knows just what to say to her friend to comfort her and lessen her feelings of guilt.

Don't pass up reading this book! If it is not available at your public library or your child's school library, talk to the librarians. The Dragonfly Door is a valuable resource for all families and communities.

The debut children's picturebook of author John Adams, The Dragonfly Door dares to confront serious topics - of loss, death, grieving, and transition. Nym and Lea are two close insect friends, but one day after Nym yells at Lea, Lea disappears. Nym searches everywhere for her missing friend, and can't find her. At last Nym falls asleep, grief-stricken, and finally hears Lea's voice one more time. "'I died and went to this special place,' Lea said, her voice full of love. 'But I didn't want you to leave,' Nym pleaded. 'I'm sorry I yelled.' 'I know you're sorry,' Lea assured her. 'I left because my water nymph body died while I was picking flowers in the reeds, not because you yelled.'" The warm, emotional colors of award-winning artist Barbara L. Gibson illustrate this highly recommended picturebook for sharing the bittersweet realities of life with young people.

John Adams brilliantly invites the reader into the world of Nymphs and Dragonflies to explore the changes that take place when Nym's friend goes to a special place.

When I had lost a family member I had read a wonderful story called, "The Water Bug Story." John Adams adds a fresh approach to this story by focusing on friendship loss and giving a voice to his characters. With the help of Gibson's eye-catching nature illustrations, "The Dragon Fly Door" answers general questions surrounding loss, such as feelings about loss, what happens to the nymph's body when he dies, and how a nymph is transformed into a dragonfly.

Adams creatively normalizes typical friendship rivalry and takes the reader on a nature journey to discover that one chooses to resolve conflict, loss, and changes in different ways. Adams concludes the book with uncomplicated educational facts for the inquisitive science mind.

This is a great educational tool for parents, grandparents or professionals to use to help explain the uncontrollable life cycle changes and loss.

Reviewed by Jewel Sample, MS
Award-winning author of Flying Hugs and Kisses(2006), also translated: Besos y Abrazos Al Aire(2006, Spanish edition) and Flying Hugs and Kisses Activity Book(2007)

As President of a nonprofit organization that reaches out to those who are grieving, I was very pleased to read a book such as The Dragonfly Door. This book provides a much needed way to offer children (and adults) a message of hope following the death of a loved one.

Children can relate to the playful nature of Nym and Lea who are the two young nymph friends, the sorrow of Nym when Lea dies, and the comforting feeling when when Nym realizes that he will one day see Lea again as a dragonfly, when he too has made his transformation into a dragonfly.

Our nonprofit organization recommends this book so highly that we have decided to make it available for purchase at all of our events.
-Valerie Marquardt

Warning - you may cry every time you read this book to your little ones! This is a very real story which covers several topics in one book, including friendship, regret, loneliness and grief.

Two little water nymph friends, Nym and Lea, live and play together in the marsh. One day Nym shouts at Lea and leaves in a huff. Later, when Nym comes home, Lea isn't there. Nym is sorry and searches for her friend everywhere. That night, Nym cries herself to sleep. The next night she hears Lea's voice saying "Follow me, Nym. I'm going to show you where I am." Nym follows to the water's surface where she sees a beautiful world. Lea explains that she left because her water nymph body died and not because Nym shouted. She tells Nym that she will see her again one day and shows her what she will look like. Nym opens her eyes and sees a dragonfly above the water, whose glass-like wings shimmer in the sun. Nym is still sad, but whenever she thinks about her friend in that beautiful place beyond the marsh, she smiles.

The book includes a diagram and explanation of the life cycle of dragonflies at the back. This story is a wonderful way to explain the circle of life to children, and will appeal to readers of all spiritual beliefs. The full page artworks on every page are colourful and extremely expressive.

Captivating book! The soft illustrations and subtle reference to passing makes Dragonfly Door and excellent tool to help children ponder the topic of death. However, the message put forth through the text could relate to any grand life changing event...needing to leave a certain chapter behind, and begin a new one. After reading this book, I bought several extra copies to have on hand for friends or family that may find themselves in a challenging time.

REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker

Lea and Nym are two water nymph friends who enjoy playing together in the marsh where they live. After a slight falling out, Lea, a year older, decides to swim to the edge of the marsh to find Nym's favorite flowers which grow in the tall reeds with the hope that she and Nym can make up. However, when Nym, also wanting to reconcile, returns to the home that they share after playing tag with tadpoles, Lea is not there and does not return that night. The next day, Nym goes in search of Lea but finally discovers that her friend has passed from the life that they knew together and become a dragonfly. Exactly where has Lea gone, and what does Nym see?
John Adams and his wife Clea co-founded Feather Rock Books with the goal of publishing thoughtful and inspiring stories for children. This book was written specifically to help parents express their views about life and death. The publishers say, "Because young minds are impressionable, we recommend that a parent or other responsible adult read this book first to determine its suitability for individual children." I appreciate that. However, I believe that the book deals with the subject in a very sensitive way that should be quite helpful in providing support for a child who has experienced a loss similar to that of Nym. It is a somewhat sad but truly hopeful story that I rate as excellent.

I came across this book shortly after my father had died. Even though I was 37 years old at the time, this story brought me much comfort. I have purchased several copies of this book to give to not only children, but adults, who have lost someone they love. Such a lovely story, a heartfelt thank you to the author. Another book to consider purchasing in addition to this book is the Dragonfly Secret, which is the same concept but with a little different spin.

this book has a very special meaning for our family. thank you so much for making this a very easy experience.