Customer Reviews

Kisses on the Wind

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lydia and her family were packing the covered wagon for their long trek to Oregon, a thousand miles away. Lydia didn't want to go, didn't want to leave Grandma. She and Grandma took a walk together, made bark boats together, and Lydia put her head in Grandma's lap and cried. Grandma braided Lydia's hair and told her a story.

"I can't go to Oregon," Lydia said, "I'll miss the stories you tell."

Then Grandma reached into her apron pocket and gave Lydia a small brown book. "I wrote my stories down for you. When you miss me, you can read them." Then Lydia hugged Grandma a long time. She breathed her in deep, so she would not forget.

"I have to go," Lydia said.

"I know," said Grandma. Grandma stood at the gate as the wagon rolled away, and touched her hands to her lips. She flung her arms open wide, and sent kisses on the wind.

Lydia sent them right back.

It's hard to read this book aloud to a child who is dear to you without becoming choked up. You think what it would have been like to say goodbye to your loved ones, perhaps never to see them again. You give thanks for speedy highways and airplanes, for cell phones and email. And then you think again of those families saying goodbye long ago, and you realize that the book is not just about long ago, but about that wrenching, heart-torn ache of separation at any time, for any reason.

A wonderful book, with tender, insightful text and gorgeous watercolor illustrations on every page. A book to be kept and handed down and beloved forever.

Anyone who has ever blown a kiss to someone departing will love this story.

Anyone who has had, or dreamed of, a special relationship with a grandmother will love this story.

Anyone who has had to leave a place they loved with their whole heart will love this story.

It is very touching and uplifting.

Lydia sat on a quilt in front of the farmhouse. Her teapot and rag doll were there with her and one of the barn cats was licking milk from the creamer, but it was no tea party. She pensively clutched one of her cats to her chest and was already grieving the loss of Grandma. They were leaving for Oregon that very day and she "just couldn't say good-bye to Grandma." It was one of those heartrending things that would make anyone want to cry. She moved to the side of the old maple tree to watch Papa and Mama prepare the wagon for their long journey. It was simply too far to be away from her Grandma.

She tried to hide in the barn, but when she "peeked between the cracks" she saw Grandma swinging on her swing. They slowly began their ritual of saying good-bye without talking about the long journey ahead. They walked, they talked, remembered and Lydia cried until the tears no longer came. A robin flew by carrying grass for her nest. They ran together, laughing as they ran, carrying their memories of the place and each other. They stopped again to talk and were "picturing" the past as Grandma braided her hair and began to tell one of her stories. Would Lydia really be able to say good-bye to Grandma and carry her in her heart all the way to Oregon?

This was a beautiful, thoughtful story and the illustrations of Lydia reminded me a lot of Laura Ingalls. It's a story that gently deals with separation issues that not only children have to face, but all of us have to bear at one time or another. The illustrations were soft, gentle and said "Garth Williams" from the first page to the last. It is a very touching story that will be read time and time again. If you are a Grandma, this is one story you will LOVE to cuddle up with your grandchild and read every time you are together!