A Pillow for my Mom by Charissa Sgouros

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A Pillow for my Mom
by Charissa Sgouros

I do love pillows and this title reminded me of A Chair for My Mother (which haunted me a bit as a child), so when I saw it in the library I wanted to read it. This is a beautiful and terrible book, though one I am very glad exists.

A little girl's mother is very sick and goes to the hospital. The little girl remembers the fun times she had with her mother and decides to make her a special patchwork pillow that represents her memories. It makes her mother feel comfortable in the hospital. And, when her mother dies, it comforts the young girl. It gives her joy to know it helped her mother and that they can share it. I wasn't prepared for this startling loss in a picture book, but I really respected this book for going to that level and showing how this little girl deals with the loss.

The book itself feels like a patchwork, bits and pieces of emotion and parts of stories and memories. The artwork is soft, full of pastels and gentle images. What a terrible situation and a beautiful way of dealing and coping with it as presented here. Unprepared for the girl's emotions, I wanted to reach in and hug her. But it was a healthy understanding of grief and carrying on afterward.

In the author bio I learned Charissa has a background in education and recently coproduced a short documentary film on what children know about HIV/AIDS. I am sure these experiences helped influence this book. I am glad this book exists in this world. I am sure it will help many children learn about and perhaps cope with a difficult subject even adults have trouble with.