SOL 16: Hope

In light of the recent earthquake in Japan, I was encouraged through the book, Hope for Haiti. Jesse Joshua Watson creates hope through the after-math of the earthquake in Haiti a year ago.  He begins the book with an author’s note.  Through seeing photos of children playing soccer, a sport the author enjoys, he noticed the children were rising above the chaos and destruction. Jesse shares how he writes and illustrates the book at the Amazon link.

Hope for Haiti is a story of a young boy who plays soccer. His home is a temporary shelter made with tarps, posts and a sheet of tin. His ball is made of rags twined together with rubber bands. His joy is through playing with friends and children.  Meeting a man who encourages their youthfulness by giving them a soccer ball signed by professional, one who had been like them.  Laughter rises above the turmoil.

I hope you find books that will bring joy and hope in times of hardship and difficulty. Through sharing this book and others, children’s imaginations will allow them to rise above their circumstances and sail toward their dreams.