by Dr. Claus.  Illustrated by Christopher Vassallo.  30 page paperback.  First published in 2001.

I saw somewhere recently that 97% of Americans remember where they were on September 11, 2001.  I am one of them.  For some reason I was watching the Today Show (it was not normal for me to be up at that hour!) and they were talking about the first plane, still thinking it had been a horrible accident.  But when the second plane hit confusion reigned there and on all the other channels.  I was glued to the television that day and most every day for a few weeks time.  I love New York City.  Jason and I had enjoyed almost 5 months living in midtown just the year before.  On that day I opened my photo album to the page of pictures I took from the top of the World Trade Center in September 2000 and had a hard time coming to terms with the terror that the people who were there must have felt when they realized that being rescued probably wasn’t going to happen.

I am sure that one day I will share the chaos of that day with Gage and A Gift of Love by Dr. Claus is a good starting point.  A young girl is about to start her first day of second grade and she shares the excitement of the morning with her mom and dad, a New York firefighter. The story is told beautifully from her perspective, as she is sent home early from school and her mother tells her what had happened to her dad.  I was completely touched by it.

Dr. Claus is an Iraq veteran and he also has a personal story that is included in the book that will remind us all to thank soldiers, veterans, and those that protect us on our own streets for their service to us and to this country.  Our lives are richer because of their committment and sacrifice.  You can visit his website for more information and to order a copy for yourself.

I admit that as much as I loved the story I was less than excited by the illustrations, but Gage seemed to like them 🙂

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