Missing Nora

by Pam Bonsper

A children's picture book for ages 3-10. This is a story about a little girl who misses her best friend, Nora. Sara goes to a pet-sitting job with her mom and meets Angel, an older Golden Retriever. What happens is truly remarkable, especially since this book is based on a true story.

36 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2014

About the author

Pam Bonsper has written children's poems and stories for many years. She has been published in The Bee Hive, Mexican World, Happy Times, Classmate and Bumples.com. She has now started to self-publish and is enjoying the process. Her books include The Big Brass Band, Missing Nora, The Piano Tuner and Other Short Stories, Uh Oh, Will Writing A Book UNDO Me? and Self-Publishing: Confessions of a Grandma.

Reviews

[Pam Bonsper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to help children deal with grief. This book shows the importance of sharing feelings, and for a child sometimes sharing with an animal is easier than sharing with a person. Highly recommended for kids ages 3-10 and for parents, teachers and therapists who work with children.
It is also about animals and dogs in particular: how they can help us if we just learn to listen. Sharing and healing and dogs who are angels is what this book is all about.

[Joy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated story highlights the magical relationship between children and animals while helping children deal with loss and change. Sarah misses her friend, but finds solace in helping a golden retriever, aptly named Angel, who is having a similar problem. Together Sarah and Angel trade special memories, making each feel whole again. When I read MISSING NORA, I couldn't help but think of my favorite childhood story heroine, Raggedy Ann, who made the land of make-believe real to me. If toys could talk and feel, why not animals? This wonderful story will stimulate your child’s imagination while teaching the lessons of friendship, sharing, and love.

[Pam Bonsper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on a true story of a young girl and an aging Golden Retriever. As a retired therapist who worked with children who were dealing with loss, I found that children could often communicate more effectively with their four-legged friends than with people. In this book, when Nora's best friend moves away, she has difficulty talking to her mom about her sadness. When she goes to a pet-sitting job with her mom, she finds a surprise: someone who is also suffering the loss of her best friend, and someone she can talk to.
This book will help children realize it is okay to express their feelings and that others (even if they're dogs) have similar feelings.

[Michelle Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a heartwarming tale of love and friendship. The author does a beautiful job of comparing how the little girl and the dog both miss their best friends. It also reminds us how our companion animals can comfort us and lift our spirits. My son and I enjoyed reading the story and discussing the characters' emotions. It's a well-written, sweet story with about a topic most of us can relate to-missing someone we love. We were both glad that it had a happy ending.

[H M H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very special book that is far more than just a delightful story. Missing Nora is about a little girl called Sara who is sad because she is missing a special and important friend (Nora). Sara’s mother has a wise way of helping her daughter deal with this loss. She is a pet sitter and introduces Sara to a labrador called Angel. Angel is feeling the loss of one of her doggie friends and a special sympathetic relationship in which they understand and help each other develops between Sara and Angel. With bright attractive illustrations this story is ideal for a parent/carer to share with a child who is dealing with loss of different kinds. It gives the opportunity to talk and explore emotions and feelings in an indirect and gentle way. Very special.

[Ginni · Rating 2 out of 5]

(From a Goodreads giveaway.)

My daughter (3) loved this book. I read it to her and then she sat quietly "reading" it to herself. She especially appreciated that she and Sara have the same favorite color.

The illustrations are simple and digital looking, nothing to write home about. I don't know how much this book will actually help kids deal with their own emotions, but I'm sure it can only help to read about a little girl going through the same situation. Even if she works through it with the aid of a talking dog who gives her gifts--a solution not available to most children.

[Gentle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were fine. I was a bit thrown by the talking dog with adult thoughts all of a sudden. Not sure how well received that part would be by small children. I read this book to a family member and they thought it was ok. The story talks about loss, but not in a way that could really be helpful to kids in the real world. But it could be used as a conversation starter for a child who has lost someone.

[Molly Gambiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pam Bonsper has created something special for parents, children and cares. Missing Nora is a very soothing,comforting story. I like the relationship between mother and daughter, the gentle soothing voice is what every child needs. There is so much love and patience in this book. I enjoyed reading it and i highly recommend it.

By Molly Gambiza

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully laid out in a way that shall keep the interest of any child while also carrying a secret important life message. It made me reminisce to moments of my own childhood with relationships / bonds formed with pets / friends etc. The graphics are exceptionally executed and clearly, a lot of thought and effort has gone into creating this piece.

Good job and most recommended!

[Joyce Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a story which a parent, teacher, or librarian can share with a young child who has lost a friend. The story, part realistic and part fantasy, will appeal to children who can enjoy the illustrations as well as to those who can follow the text. My favorite picture is the one of Sara hugging Angel, the dog, who has spoken to her about missing a friend.

[Mac Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Pam did an excellent job weaving the story of a young girl missing her best friend and finding her answers through the wise eyes of a very lovable K9 companion. It's a heart warming story any child can relate to. It was a page turner even for myself.

[Claudia O’Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who cannot relate to losing someone close to us? Children and adults will want to add this book to their libraries. Pam covers the subject of loss well and uses Angel, a talking dog, who has also lost a friend to overcome the sadness both he and Sara have experienced.

[R.C. Beaird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara is down about her friend Nora moving away. Her mother and trusty dog come through in this touching tale about this tough lesson we all have to learn. Kids dealing with sadness will learn new strategies on how to move forward. Great illustrations and sure to be treasured by many.

[Mariana Farcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story for children missing someone, its also about the healing nature of pets. Heartwarming sweet story.