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Do Not Be Sad - A Chronicle Of Healing
At 8:47 am on September 11th, 2001, the first alarm sounded and twenty-four firemen from Engine 24 Ladder 5 left the station. Eleven never returned. The weight of the tragedy seemed unfathomable. And yet it was being experienced at firehouses all over New York City.
Within hours, Mayor Giuliani set up a makeshift headquarters at Engine 24 Ladder 5, just blocks from where the tragedy began. The station was quickly becoming a pivotal symbol for what the entire city was going through.
In the days, weeks and months that followed, hundreds of letters from children across the country poured into Engine 24 Ladder 5. They expressed their love, appreciation and support. They reflect what many of us are feeling; A shared loss, a shared grief, a shared resilience and pride in New York and in our country. It is a sentiment so strong that these children felt the need to reach out to people they had never met.
The children of America sent the letters here to Engine 24 Ladder 5 - but they were meant for all New York City firefighters. In the midst of grief, pain and confusion, their innocence, love and hope supply much-needed inspiration and offer tribute to a group of true American heroes.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 12, 2014
All-Important Perspectives of the Child on a Calamity of Enormous Proportions
As horrifying as the events of September 11, 2001, were to everyone, it was the children who were often the most traumatized. I was a New Jersey school teacher that tragic day, and I am still haunted by the children's cries and tears. This very important book bears testimony to a chronicle of healing for children across the country and even from distant parts of the world. Within hours of the attack, Mayor Guiliani established a headquarters at the station of Engine 24 and Ladder 5, only a few blocks from "Ground Zero." Children sent thousands of letters, cards, and drawings to Engine 24, Ladder 5, reflecting on their mixture of grief, shock, pride, hope, and love. These letters were a form of healing not only for the children who created them, but also the firefighters and other rescue personnel and volunteers, ravaged by what they were witnessing every day, found solace and inspiration in the honesty of the voices of the children. A poem opens the book, starting with, "You have never met me.. I am the stranger everywhere.... - But always, always / Loving you unconditionally. You don't need to know me / to know that you are loved, So know that even in / All the pain you feel / You are never truly alone...." Said one of the firefighters, "The support we have received has reinforced our belief in what we do. The letters we've gotten have given us tremendous strength and have broadened our sense of family. They are a tribute to our brothers, our city and our country. They have given us hope in a time of sadness. In many ways, these have been the worst days and the proudest days of our lives." This fine book reproduces a selection of these letters. Many are like one that shows one of the towers in flames, having just been hit by one of the hijacked airlines. It is shocking, yet incredibly touching when one sees the hearts and flags on the same picture. This main section of the book is divided into smaller parts by full-page call out quotes of children's hope and wisdom, neither of which should ever be underestimated. A tragedy occurred. There were plenty of tears, outrage, and fear. Moreover, there was love, support, gratitude, and hope. Our children will be strong. Our children are strong.
As horrifying as the events of September 11, 2001, were to everyone, it was the children who were often the most traumatized. I was a New Jersey school teacher that tragic day, and I am still haunted by the children's cries and tears. This very important book bears testimony to a chronicle of healing for children across the country and even from distant parts of the world. Within hours of the attack, Mayor Guiliani established a headquarters at the station of Engine 24 and Ladder 5, only a few blocks from "Ground Zero." Children sent thousands of letters, cards, and drawings to Engine 24, Ladder 5, reflecting on their mixture of grief, shock, pride, hope, and love. These letters were a form of healing not only for the children who created them, but also the firefighters and other rescue personnel and volunteers, ravaged by what they were witnessing every day, found solace and inspiration in the honesty of the voices of the children. A poem opens the book, starting with, "You have never met me.. I am the stranger everywhere.... - But always, always / Loving you unconditionally. You don't need to know me / to know that you are loved, So know that even in / All the pain you feel / You are never truly alone...." Said one of the firefighters, "The support we have received has reinforced our belief in what we do. The letters we've gotten have given us tremendous strength and have broadened our sense of family. They are a tribute to our brothers, our city and our country. They have given us hope in a time of sadness. In many ways, these have been the worst days and the proudest days of our lives." This fine book reproduces a selection of these letters. Many are like one that shows one of the towers in flames, having just been hit by one of the hijacked airlines. It is shocking, yet incredibly touching when one sees the hearts and flags on the same picture. This main section of the book is divided into smaller parts by full-page call out quotes of children's hope and wisdom, neither of which should ever be underestimated. A tragedy occurred. There were plenty of tears, outrage, and fear. Moreover, there was love, support, gratitude, and hope. Our children will be strong. Our children are strong.
September 19, 2013
I was first introduced to "Do Not Be Sad" during one of my education classes this year on 9/11. This book wowed me. It is a collection of drawings, letters, etc. from children from the United States around the time of 9/11. The way the book is set up is excellent; it is colorful and has a positive focus. I think that this book can be for any age, young or old. It can spark an interest in a younger audience and get them asking questions about this time in history, and it can also be a great read for those who remember and experienced the devastating effects of 9/11. This book is one that may leave you with a few tears in your eyes because it is so heartwarming and precious.
September 18, 2013
This children's book contains pages of letter and pictures that were sent to one of the fire stations in New York right after 9/11. Poignant and heartbreaking. You'll be in tears.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews