Paradise Sands

A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with the profound absence of a loved one, particularly a parent. This visually stunning and deeply allegorical story follows a girl, her brother, and her father on a journey to a grand, mysterious hotel. Their mother, they are told, has 'gone to the sands.' The girl follows a magical creature into the hotel's surreal interior, a world inhabited by silent, animal-headed figures, on a quest to find her mother. The book masterfully navigates themes of grief, memory, and hope without ever explicitly naming death. For children ages 7 and up, its sophisticated art and symbolic narrative provide a safe space to explore complex feelings, making it a powerful tool for starting conversations about loss and resilience.