The Dancing Tree's Secret
In memory of my beautiful sister Cathy
If you are concerned about discussing death and loss with children, you are not alone. We live in a society that is flooded daily with images of death, war, terrorism, tragedy and displacement.
Death is an inescapable fact of life. If we are to help children understand the experience of loss, we need to provide them with a “language of grief” through which they can communicate and discuss their feelings.
This language exists in all of us, in the realm of the imagination. It is here that an evocative image, bodily gesture, musical phrase, metaphor, or dramatic enactment can translate complex emotions and events to spiritual and universal truths that resonate with us and make sense of our world.
"The Dancing Tree’s Secret", through its visual imagery, poetry, and metaphoric expression will engage the imaginations of its readers and listeners, opening the door that invites them to cross a creative threshold to an inner realm, a safe space in which to reflect, understand and discuss death as a transformation of the material form.
Illustrator Mariam Todd was born in Iran and raised in Pakistan. She now resides in the beautiful misty Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her mate and their five children, dog, and flock of chickens, where she paints, tends gardens and makes medicine. She has a passion for creating and sharing what delights her heart and nourishes her soul, with the hope that what she shares inspires and gives joy.
Testimonial Statements
"It is a gorgeous story, so beautifully tailored for children and how
they deal with loss and mourning."
-Lourdes Lopez
Artistic Director, Miami City Ballet
“ A healthy way for children to understand death, and the continuing bonds that remain after someone has passed away. As this book so eloquently shows, love never dies, it just changes form.”
-Dr. Heidi Horsley
Executive Director, Open to Hope Foundation
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
“The story magically opens doors to the sensitive topic of death with a true depth of understanding that people and nature must live through life cycles with a strong spirit and power of resilience"
-Linda Goldman,
Grief Therapist specializing in children and teens FT, CT, LCPC, NBCC
Adjunct Professor- Johns Hopkins Graduate School of Counseling and Education
MEET THE DANCING TREES
Anastasia Neimann, Stephanie Carlisle and Tiffany Romano: Three former dancers from the Steps on Broadway Academy in NYC- their interpretation of The Dancing Tree's Secret was captured by NYC photographer Alex Romanov. These photos you see here are only 4 out of the dozens of photos that inspired Mariam Todd's gorgeous illustrations. I am deeply indebted to these three girls, their mothers, and to Alex, for believing in my story.
The Dancing Tree's Secret is FSC certified which means the paper used for this book used only environmentally friendly and sustainable forest management methods. Learn more
