I think this is a fantastic allegory book. I think it is suitable for children when they experience struggle, not only abandonment but also standard feelings of fear, lack of self-worth... It may be hard for the child to interpret the depth of the story but I think its easy to pick up on the lessons.
Of course some points author makes or hints too questionable.... for example: when you lonely and show yourself self-love, warmth can you really forget the fact that you are alone, that there is no-one else there that can give you a hug at the moment of this feeling????
Lessons:
1. Find your inner core/centre, be tentative to your feelings.
2. Push away bad feelings. Do not any to disturb your inner core
3. Be in the moment. Focus on present through your senses. Be mindful at what you feeling and remember that a fear is the future, its not hear and now. It doesn't exist
4. Practice separateness from your wounder. Be comfortable of being alone. Know that you are whole yourself. Separate yourself, so you can become available for love around you
5. Be important to yourself. When you notice you compare yourself or fill empty....Feel alive, experience your existence by doing what you enjoy. The life will feel empty until you fill it with things in life that have important to you.Lift your chest a little bit and make it large inside. Fill the whole space with your name.
6. " Pain is when the future and the past overlap and squeeze out the present". Wanting & wishing want bring him back . You can accept this reality or fight it. But fighting it keeps you in the pain. Fighting keeps you powerless, filled with sadness. "Pain of loss feels helpless because it comes from the past, and the past is the place where we have no power. We can't do anything about the past, because it is already over. it no longer exists for us to control."
7. Be warm to yourself, show self-love. " love begins with your own idea (imagination, warm hand on heart) , your own warmth, and it glows right inside your sacred space. Love is something that others can give you, but when they aren't able to , you can only get it back by creating it within yourself. All you need is imagination. Close your eyes and feel the warmth from your hands. Imagine that all love of the love in the world is yours. "
10. No body is perfect and occasionally you will slip up. Continue to practice to find your centre, ,keep it safe, find a moment, accept your separateness, face reality, discover importance of being alive, treat yourself and others with love.