Coping with loss and finding healing is never easy, especially for children. After reading Calling the Wind by Trudy Ludwig to my class, I turned to Addy’s Cup of Sugar by Jon J. Muth to continue this important conversation. Both books beautifully connect, offering profound lessons on grief and resilience.
In Addy’s Cup of Sugar, Addy’s beloved cat, Trumpet, has passed away. Seeking help, she turns to Stillwater, the wise panda, who offers a solution inspired by a timeless Buddhist story. Addy must find a cup of sugar from a household untouched by recent loss to create a special medicine. Her journey reveals that grief is universal, and healing begins when we recognize that we’re not alone in our sorrow.
This story is especially poignant today. Our children carry the weight of the pandemic—the year of masks, online classes, and, for many, loss. Books like this gently guide kids through the complex emotions of grief, showing that community and understanding are key to healing.
Paired with Calling the Wind, which beautifully explores remembrance and finding solace in nature, these books create a powerful text-to-text connection. They remind us that grief is a shared journey, and through empathy, we can all find our way to healing.
Sharing these stories with my class has been a reminder of the resilience within each child. Let’s continue to support them with stories that bring hope and understanding.
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