As part of the Courage Tales series, Loris Opens Up His Heart was written by Dagmara Sitek with Lau Frank complimenting the story with colourful illustrations. A beautiful children’s story of Loris, a foster kid being moved into yet another home, it especially resonated with me on many levels based on being raised within the foster care system.
Sitek perfectly describes the shadows of tragedy that can fill a child who struggles to learn how to deal with the darkness, balancing the struggle with bright lights and hope. A good introduction to children to what someone in the foster system may be dealing with as well as a glimpse of how a small action can make a big difference. A definite conversation starter that highlights diversity, acceptance and, aptly, courage.
I would have loved this to be a longer story with more specifics on characters, though understand why it’s kept simple, and do hope the same characters are highlighted in other Courage Series installments. There also could have been a touch more editing as well as a blurb about the author and illustrator as I found myself wanting to know more about the pair.
The contrast of characters through facial expressions, vibrant and muted colours told a story in itself, ensuring it’s easy for young readers to understand the difference in moods. The subtleties of clenched fists alongside open hands and arms was a great addition to the written story. This book should appeal to a wide audience of all ages, as it simplifies emotions to be relatable while setting itself up to a bigger conversation.
Dagmara Sitek is a Montreal-based mother of two, who is committed to children’s education and emotional well-being. She is passionate about teaching children valuable social and emotional life lessons through her beautifully illustrated, meaningful, and relatable books about children in foster care.Her books are recommended by parents, teachers, school counselors, and social workers to help children overcome social and emotional challenges effectively! Born in Poland, and living in Canada, Dagmara Sitek wears many hats-a mom, a wife, and a digital marketer in her 9-to-5 world. She jumped into writing kids’ books about foster care and difficulties because she realized something important – not all kids get a fair shot at life. Her debut as an author merges childhood passions with a new mission – to bring hope and awareness to children’s struggles and to create deep books for kids about feelings.”Loris Opens Up His Heart” by Dagmara Sitek was inspired by the tragic story of 8-year-old Kamilek from Czestochowa, who died due to mistreatment by his stepfather. It is a testament to the power of empathy and compassion. It models positive interactions and helps kids put themselves in someone else’s shoes. More importantly, it encourages them to help one another and overcome fears.
Lau Frank is a young illustrator and author of children’s books from Aarhus, Denmark. This skilled artist is famous for creating beautiful and captivating book illustrations, much like the beloved animated stories we watch on TV. He’s been drawing forever and dropped out of high school to turn his art passion into full-time work on February 8, 2021. He’s already worked on over 30 books, including three children’s book series he wrote and illustrated for Tellerup.
Publisher: Edition Contes de Courage Dagmara Sitek
Paperback 10″ x 8″ | 52 pages
Ages 6-8
ISBN: 9781738128525
I am a struggling artist, a challenging and challenged mother who always thinks she is failing, an emerging freelance writer and reporter, an author with my name on several books crossing genres and always hoping to find more readers who enjoy them.
I am also a successful artist, a wonderful and thriving mother of one, a reacher towards both people and dreams despite all of the turned backs and obstacles in my way. I am a thriving freelance writer and reporter, an author loved by enough readers to make it worthwhile and a discombobulated conundrum who loves to hear new music, tell new tales and meet new authors. And I’m doing something I always dreamed of doing – reviewing books to support others as well as myself and my family.
