Calling the Wind: A Story of Healing and Hope by Trudy Ludwig & Kathryn Otoshi is one of those books that truly touches your soul. As a long-time fan of Trudy’s works (I mean, who isn’t obsessed after reading The Invisible Boy?!), this book was a must-read. But wow, it hit harder than I could have imagined.
This story is a tender, heartfelt exploration of grief, love, and healing. It follows a family coping with the loss of a loved one after the Japanese tsunami, and it’s such a beautiful reflection of how grief is uniquely personal. What I found so moving is how each family member finds their own way to cope, whether it’s through quiet reflection or the symbolic “Wind Phone” – a real place where people speak to lost loved ones through the wind.
The illustrations by Kathryn Otoshi are stunning. They feel like a soft embrace, perfectly complementing the minimal text. The splashes of yellow throughout bring a flicker of hope in the midst of sorrow, reminding us that even in the deepest grief, there is always the possibility of light.
What makes this book so powerful is the way it encourages us to pause, reflect, and connect with our own feelings of loss, no matter how big or small. The haikus that bookend the story add to its poetry and grace, leaving you with a sense of peace, even if it’s bittersweet.
I can’t recommend this enough. It’s not just a book for children, but for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of loss. It’s a reminder that healing takes time, and sometimes, all we need is a quiet space to speak our hearts.
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