Loss — William Forde

This author's works have been praised by numerous celebrities, the most notable being Nelson Mandela who described two of his African stories as 'Wonderful', the late Princess Diana who used to read two of his books to the Princes William and Harry when they were aged 9 and 7 years, and a former Chief Inspector of Schools for OFSTED, who described the author's writing to the press as being of 'High quality literature'. Bereavement, loss and separation are three of the most unsettling of emotions that one faces in their lifetime; none more so than when it involves the death of a family member and is experienced by a child. The healthy negotiation of this process requires time, patience and understanding by all concerned, along with the healthy expression of the bereaved person's feelings. When a young child experiences the death of a parent, it is not unusual for them to be left feeling emotionally confused and partly 'responsible'. It is at such times when 'sensitivity' by the adult minders needs to be at its greatest and 'being there' for the bereaved child is of the highest premium. Nancy's Song was written in memory of the late Roy Castle and was first published in June 1995. It identifies through its story the death of a father, many of the emotions that the bereaved family members experience both prior to and after the death of a loved one. The story is suitable for any reader aged 7 years upwards. When being read by a child it is advisable to be read within the presence of an adult as it more than likely to make the reader cry. 'The Lost Kingdom' tells the story of having lost both meaning and purpose in one's life. It also warns against parents who dare to plan out the future of their offspring while denying their child the right to dream their own dream. When Prince Soloman is born, his parents, the greedy King Lucre and Queen Avarice determine to make their son the wealthiest and most powerful monarch in the world when he comes to rule. Over the next 21 years they acquire all the power, wealth and privilege possible, but their greed leads them to die prematurely in the process of amassing it. After their deaths, the Prince discovers just how much life he has missed out on over the 21 years and he also learns about the many deaths caused by his parent's greed and the achievement of their dream. He decides that life is too important for one to spend it living someone else's dream, so he starts to live his own dream and finds happiness in living a wholesome future amidst the love of all mankind.