Help children identify the beauty and hope in all cycles of life as they follow two insects, Lea and Nym, and the struggles Nym endures when her friend disappears. This is a tender story about loss and change, written to help parents express their views about life and death. The Dragonfly Door may serve many purposes, such as comforting a grieving child or providing facts about dragonflies. Beautifully illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson, the book is cherished by parents, grandparents and teachers. It has been adapted into a mini-play in various communities to help children cope with the loss of their classmates. Also see The Dragonfly Secret: A Story of Boundless Love, a companion book for ages eight to adult (ISBN 9781934066133).
| ||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
The Dragonfly Door is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award. --Mom's Choice Awards
The Dragonfly Door is the story of two water nymphs, Lea and Nym, who become best friends and share a nest. One day, Nym becomes upset with Lea and leaves home in a huff. Lea sets out to pick flowers for Nym to make it up to her. When Nym returns later that day to apologize to Lea, she finds that Lea isn't at home. She searches for Lea for days with no luck. Lea never returns. Frustrated and heartbroken, Nym falls asleep in the nest. While Nym sleeps, Lea visits her in her dreams. She informs Nym that she is well and is waiting for her. She is in a better place, and has transformed into a beautiful dragonfly. She explains to Lea how she, too, will become a dragonfly one day and leave the marsh to rejoin her best friend in the sky. The Dragonfly Door is both informational and spiritual. The story is followed up with information on the life cycle of a dragonfly for those craving an educational focus. The core story is a message of healing for children coping with the loss of a loved one. Reaching out to children using the science of nature to address a sensitive and difficult topic, The Dragonfly Door is an invaluable tool for communication during a sensitive period. Adams realistically portrays the process of grieving as Nym doesn't magically become better overnight when she receives Lea's visit. It takes time and new friends, but the message is that deep down, she knows she will be okay. It is also a beautiful addition to a child's bookshelf with its peaceful, yet colorful illustrations by Barbara Leonard Gibson....Armchair Interviews says: Unique look at grieving and loss. --Armchair Interviews
The Dragonfly Door is the story of two water nymphs, Lea and Nym, who become best friends and share a nest. One day, Nym becomes upset with Lea and leaves home in a huff. Lea sets out to pick flowers for Nym to make it up to her. When Nym returns later that day to apologize to Lea, she finds that Lea isn't at home. She searches for Lea for days with no luck. Lea never returns. Frustrated and heartbroken, Nym falls asleep in the nest. While Nym sleeps, Lea visits her in her dreams. She informs Nym that she is well and is waiting for her. She is in a better place, and has transformed into a beautiful dragonfly. She explains to Lea how she, too, will become a dragonfly one day and leave the marsh to rejoin her best friend in the sky. The Dragonfly Door is both informational and spiritual. The story is followed up with information on the life cycle of a dragonfly for those craving an educational focus. The core story is a message of healing for children coping with the loss of a loved one. Reaching out to children using the science of nature to address a sensitive and difficult topic, The Dragonfly Door is an invaluable tool for communication during a sensitive period. Adams realistically portrays the process of grieving as Nym doesn't magically become better overnight when she receives Lea's visit. It takes time and new friends, but the message is that deep down, she knows she will be okay. It is also a beautiful addition to a child's bookshelf with its peaceful, yet colorful illustrations by Barbara Leonard Gibson....Armchair Interviews says: Unique look at grieving and loss. --Armchair Interviews
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very lovely story
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. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dusty
The Dragonfly Door
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... Read more
Published on October 2, 2009 by Leila Summers
Tool for any major hurdle
Captivating book! The soft illustrations and subtle reference to passing makes Dragonfly Door and excellent tool to help children ponder the topic of death. Read more
Published on June 12, 2009 by Cheryl D. Parcher
Very satisfied
this book has a very special meaning for our family. thank you so much for making this a very easy experience.
Published on April 18, 2009 by NJNanner
The Dragonfly Door
When I heard about this series of books on a morning show I knew I had to get them for my daughter(who is 17yrs old). Our son who was 22 yrs old died of an aneurysm 2 years ago. Read more
Published on January 23, 2009 by BookLover
Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review
REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Lea and Nym are two water nymph friends who enjoy playing together in the marsh where they live. Read more
Lea and Nym are two water nymph friends who enjoy playing together in the marsh where they live. Read more
Published on December 5, 2008 by Virginia S. Grenier
Courtesy of Kids @ Teens Read Too
For those trying to describe the sense of loss to young ones, THE DRAGONFLY DOOR is a perfect book to aid in the discussion. Read more
Published on November 13, 2008 by TeensReadToo
An excellent and understandable metaphor for the religious belief of...
This tale, one of "death" that is sanitized in just the right way for children, is about anger, loss and recovery. Read more
Published on October 31, 2008 by Charles Ashbacher
A touching, relational book for any age
I bought this book to give to a friend whose little girl had passed away. The illustrations are brillliant and the storyline opened up many venues of dialogue that would be... Read more
Published on May 21, 2008 by Inker in Canada
Jewel's Reading Excellence Review: Helps children understand nature's...
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. Read more
Published on May 9, 2007 by Jewel Sample, award-winning author of Flying Hugs and Kisses
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
It was a warm spring day in the marsh. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
It was a warm spring day in the marsh. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
