The book can be interpreted on many different levels; the reader will bring to it what he or she likes or needs. The story will appeal to members of all denominations as well as to people who belong to no organized religion. Lea's "special place" can be just that, or the reader may choose to call it "heaven." The factual section on dragonflies at the end of the book adds yet another dimension. You or your child will enjoy The Dragonfly Door even if you have not lost a friend or relative. For me, the story brought back vivid memories of my own "lost" childhood. There are big life lessons in The Dragonfly Door about "loss and change," if the reader wishes to interpret the book on this level. But there are little life lessons as well. Nym is always polite with the other sea creatures, and she doesn't hesitate to say she's sorry when she realizes she has behaved inappropriately. Lea doesn't deny Nym's rebellious feelings or respond to anger with anger. At a critical moment, she knows just what to say to her friend to comfort her and lessen her feelings of guilt ... ”Don't pass up reading this book! If it is not available at your public library or your child's school library, talk to the librarians. The Dragonfly Door is a valuable resource for all families and communities.” 

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When I read The Dragonfly Door to my third grade class, everyone listened and enjoyed the wonderful illustrations.  There was not a sound in our classroom!  Students then wrote about their feelings after listening to the story.  Many students were able to write about losses they have had, and some shared their feelings with the class.  I highly recommend the book to encourage children to share their feelings during a time of loss.

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In 1998, my father died of cancer; and I never really understood why he left and when I would see him again. About January of '07 I stumbled across this book, and in reading it I found that I really did always have the answers to those and other questions that I had, it just took time for me to realize and understand. And this book really helped me to do that, and others will benefit from "The Dragonfly Door" and I truly believe that other grieving people will too. Thank you so much for working so hard on this wonderful story.

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I took my granddaughter to the Cecil Day Butterfly House at Calloway Gardens in Georgia to share the book with her.  She does not share her feelings about her dad's death easily, but after we read the book, she said that she sometimes heard him talking to her just as Nym heard Lea.  Thank you for that moment when she opened up a little bit. 

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I am in a unique position. Two years ago my husband died in his sleep at the age of 50. I am also a pastor and a volunteer hospice chaplain, so I know both sides of death. I was introduced to dragonfly stories shortly after my husband's death and I've been spreading the story ever since. Thank you for The Dragonfly Door. I've purchased a copy for myself and one for the hospice program I work with. My office manager has also asked for one for her granddaughters.

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It's a beautiful story, put simply enough to help young people think less fearfully about death and what happens to their loved ones when they leave this life on earth.  The bright pictures captivate the young eye and the sweet story holds the reader's attention.  My granddaughter loves hearing me read it to her, after her grandfather died. 

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I received this wonderfully beautiful book on the 8th anniversary of my son's graduation to Heaven ... that evening, I was able to read it with his daughter, who is now 9... I believe she gained another understanding of her Very Own Daddy in a beautiful place that we have not seen just yet ... and though she already knew he is waiting for her, this was another good reminder of that ... I was unaware of the dragonfly's life cycle and was so blessed to see how it seemingly parallels this life and the next. Thank you for a wonderful way to help us all in our continuing journey with grief and the Hope we can have.

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I am thrilled to receive your powerfully inspiring book for our library. Also, the illustrations are magnificent. I’ve read your website information and press release. I think your mission is awesome and certainly one which is needed for children.

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I find this story to be a real comfort and help in explaining loss to my 4 year old son.  He can relate to the characters and follow along with the story.  The illustrations are wonderful and keep the younger audiences attention.  This book has been a source of answers for him by helping me to explain a loss in our family. 

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I've read lots of children's books... some good, some not. Yours is one of the most precious and poignant ...

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As a 2nd grade teacher and a mother of two children, I found this book simply wonderful! What a great way to help kids deal with the loss of a loved one. I know the power of books and this book has a message that will touch the hearts of young and old alike. My children recently lost their grandfather after courageous battle with brain cancer. The theme at his funeral was dragonflies! This book will be a keepsake that they will treasure forever.

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I just wanted to tell you how great the book "The Dragonfly Door" is. My 40 year old cousin, mother of 6 year old twin boys, passed away suddenly 3 days before Christmas 2005. This Christmas I purchased at least 12 copies of the book and gave them to all of my family members in remembrance of my cousin. Not only were all of the children comforted by the story, but my aunt (her mother) found the book very comforting during the very difficult time of marking the one year anniversary of her daughter's passing.

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I am in awe about the wonderful message given in this book.  It is an excellent way for death to be explained to children.  Adults will also benefit as they share this book with children.  The illustrations are beauty beyond words.  This illustrator shares with me the idea that real beauty is unsurpassed in nature.

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I am interested in this book for my nieces, after the death of their father earlier this year from cancer. 

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My grandfather is dying and my children are closer to him than anyone else, even their father and I are having a difficult time talking to them about this as well as trying to explain death to them.

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We recently lost our son to cancer and we have a 6 year old daughter that I feel this book may help her understand a bit better. 

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We have always believed in Angels and dragonflies...What an awesome way to share death with our young daughter who lost her brother to the war in Iraq.  He is her hero.

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I lost my daughter (my one and only child) in a car accident. She had told me once that if anything ever happened to her, she would come back as a dragonfly. She is with me always.

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The day after the death of my wife's son, we were out in the front of our house observing an orchestra of dragonflies doing what dragonflies do. What was unusual about this was there was a blue dragonfly among the many of the brown colored ones and this dragonfly followed my wife and would land close to her and appear to observe her moves, and was not intimidated by her presence. 

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This book looks so very beautiful. 

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I have a dear friend whom is near their end of life. Her daughter is very close to her and she is very close to her daughter and grandchildren. I myself have 3 grandchildren whom one day will experience a dear loss of life of a loved one. I like what I read so far and think this is an exceptional way to explain this phase of our life. Thank you. 

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I lost my father 3 years ago to stomach cancer.  One of the last masses we were at together before his death had a dragonfly story as part of the homily. After he passed we (my family) began to notice dragonflies all over the place and we take it as a reminder that he is always with us. I was pregnant at the time my dad died, my daughter is now 3 and is quite familiar with dragonflies and I think your book will be a great addition to our dragonfly collection.  

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I'm currently in college and enrolled in a Death, Grief and Bereavement class.  Thank you for helping everyone, especially children, deal with the loss of a loved one. 

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My son was killed in a car accident, and the dragonfly has been our symbol for him.  He had just turned 17. At the grave side services a very large beautiful dragonfly sat on my husbands shoulder. We did not understand why, until we did some research only to find out that our sons personality matched that of the dragonfly.  He was such a loving, caring boy.  He always watched out for others no matter what race, age or size, he was there for all.  The week that he died was the same week that Japan has a celebration of their dead.  The dragonfly is what their celebration is based on. These kind of books not only help out children but help out adults as well.  Thanks for writing it and I can not wait to read it. 

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Thanks for producing a book to help explain such a profound thing to children. 

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My stepdaughters lost their mom in a car accident.  She collected dragonflies and this books sounds perfect for them.  They also collect dragonfly things, it keeps them connected to their mother.  

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I lost my mother three weeks ago and it has been devastating. Two young boys next to her home in FL believed that those who die (aunts, uncles, friends, cats & other pets) come back as a butterfly. I have always enjoyed dragonflies but never had them near my home. In my grief I told my mother if she comes back as a butterfly like the boys believe, then she better have them do something pretty extraordinary to get my attention! Well, since her death, my home has been surrounded by dragonflies, that always buzz in front of me to get my attention, little things. So, that brings me comfort, thought this book might be similar.

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My son just died and all at the age of 22 and I have seen dragonfly signs and dragonflies around my house (with no water) since he died. We power washed our deck and a dragonfly is embedded in the deck and numerous other tales too.

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I feel a connection to [dragonflies] since my brother died 2 years ago and that morning one landed on my leg and stayed for a while. I believed it was his way of telling me he's at peace. I look forward to reading this story and giving your book to his two young children.

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My best friend believes dragonflies are the spirits of our loved ones who have passed. Now that she has passed I see them everywhere.

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My 3 yr old daughter passed away from a brain tumor and I thought it would help explain better to her sister.

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I lost my husband when our only child was 11 months. The day after the funeral I went to my husbands grave I will never forget the sight. There had to have been hundreds of dragonflies flying over only my husbands grave. I remember when I sat down by the grave they would just fly around and even land on me, but they never left. When I did finally leave I drove through the cemetery looking to see if I could find anymore. Not one did I find. He was buried in a Indian cemetery and I was told that it was a good sign. They were watching over him until his journey to heaven was complete. I went out the next day and they were gone. Ever since then the dragonfly has always been a part of me and my son. So when I heard of this book I knew it had to be part of our lives.

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One week before my son died, he told me that there was something very special about dragonflies, just out of the blue.  Then he passed away in his sleep and week after the funeral, my husband and I were at an event where there were about 500 people.  We were sitting in the grandstand bleachers and all of a sudden we looked up and flying all around us were beautiful blue dragonflies, only us no one else.  Then I knew my son was okay and letting me know it was beautiful where he was.

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My baby boy just passed away.  He was 10 weeks and 1 day old.  He has 4 siblings and I have yet learned how to talk to them, they know but how do they deal?  I have seen nothing but dragonflies since his death and that is his symbol.  It's ironic that I found this website and this book.

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I am interested in seeing how to present the concept of death to a child.

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Dragonflies are very spiritual and ancient. I would love to see more of them around than already, especially in books to teach children about spiritual change and subjects that are hard to understand.  The beauty of the dragonfly is there are so many colors and species it is totally amazing to look at them.

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My son died five years ago at the age of 20.  We have experienced many dragonfly miracles since his death.  They have helped us to feel a connection and many who knew our son have had the same type of experiences.  It is truly miraculous.

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As grandparents, this could prove a valuable resource to our children and grandchildren.

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This story is a brilliant idea to relay the message of what happens to us after we pass away from this life to life in Heaven.

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My 19 year old son died last February.  I was told a story about a dragonfly by a nurse at the hospital. Now when I see a dragonfly I'm not only reminded of him, I'm reminded of what a beautiful place he is in now.

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My 5 year old grandson just lost his mother. Sounds like this might help him and me.

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My daughter was killed in a tragic car accident.  She loved green dragonflies and we have had some blessings with little green dragonflies. 

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My husband died 4 yrs ago when our son was only 4 yrs old and I am very interested in this book to help in the future if this subject comes up which I am sure it will as he gets older and maybe asks more questions about where his daddy went.

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This book may help my child, we lost our dog and we are struggling to help with the right words.

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I am a Sunday school teacher and work with K-2nd graders and this book seems very appropriate in content. 

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My husband recently died and I would like this book for his 7 grandchildren.

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My husband died in 2005, but my young grandchildren can't understand where he is now, even though we've told them that he is in heaven.

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I am facing a life threatening disease and need to talk to my grandbabies.

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My grandfather passed away and I have young children who need this type of book.

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I work with pre ads and adolescent children.  I find that this book will help in any grief counseling I do.

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I am intrigued to review this book.  I work with children with who are dealing with loss.

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I am really interested in this book for my nine year old.  I just lost my husband and my daughter is devastated.

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This seem like it will be a really neat book to help young children.

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I am most interested in purchasing for my grandchildren to memorialize their grandpa and his death before they were born.

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My daughter died one week ago and I am having a hard time explaining to a 6 year old, who I am now raising.  I love dragonflies.