Pear of Hope; Wenda Shurety, illustrated by Deb Hudson

EK Books publish such meaningful reads that support children and adults in coping with the big, and often scary, issues that life throws up. Dealing with illness, embracing a message of positivity in the face of a struggle and encompassing the healing power of nature, Pear of Hope is a tender-hearted read about a little girl with cancer and her recovery.

Anna loved hanging out in the old pear tree at the bottom of her garden, it was great for climbing up, swinging from and lazing under. But one day everything changed. With Anna seriously ill in bed and the tree fighting its own lonely battle for survival they need each other more than ever. The pear tree provides comfort, strength and hope, and when Anna sows a seed from one of the tree’s pears, she is planting the seeds of recovery in every sense.

Life has a way of hitting hard when you least expect it and Anna is faced with the biggest battle of her young life. Whilst Anna’s illness is never explicitly stated, the signs are there as she goes from a happy and care-free child to the tearful young girl in bed with a get well soon card on her bedside table. And when she next appears in her garden there is not a single hair to be found on her head.

What happens next is wonderful and truly uplifting as Anna sows a seed that beautifully mimics her own recovery journey. The pear seed grows a shoot and grows into a seedling which becomes a sapling and eventually a tree before offering a new pear. Meanwhile, Anna’s hair slowly begins to grow, a tuft becomes a curl, a bob becomes a ponytail. Recovery, rejuvenation, new life and the beauty of nature all poignantly captured.

Hearing the word cancer can elicit many emotions and feelings, hope perhaps not being one of them. However, this book is all about hope and positivity and will inspire all. Whether faced with illness or another struggle, the messages of positivity, of having hope and of being brave are things that everyone can embrace. If we can all be as strong and as hopeful as Anna then there will be every possibility of overcoming any challenge.

With thoughtful and sensitive prose and gorgeous illustrations, Pear of Hope will bring comfort and reassurances to children and adults when faced with the most difficult of journey’s.

With huge thanks to EK Books for this uplifting story.

Recommended for 4+.