Out of the Fires: A Journal of Resilience and Recovery after Disaster

by Carrie Lara, Colleen Larmour (Illustrator)

After a fire destroys his home and neighborhood, a young boy must learn what it means to be resilient and to recover.​

Let me tell you about that one day everything was there, and then there was nothing.

This inspiring journal will help victims of a natural disaster as they follow a boy who is healing after a devastating fire in his neighborhood. A journal filled with drawings, news clippings, and coping strategies, this book is chock full of information on cultivating resilience after a natural disaster. Things may never be “normal” again, but he discovers that he is resilient and strong—even when hard things happen. Includes end matter on the topic of building resilience.

64 pages, Hardcover

Published July 4, 2023

About the author

Carrie Lara, PsyD, specializes in working with children and families on child and human development, including foster and adoptive youth, those with learning disabilities and special education, and children dealing with trauma, using attachment-based play therapy. She lives in Sonoma County, California.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, American Psychological Association, for the advance reading copy.

This is a much needed book! I forgot it’s supposed to be read and used as a journal but as it turns out it is a journal of how one tries to cope when a natural disaster happens.

I find the contents quite endearing as I find it quite helpful and comforting as well.

Let’s not look for what must be there but let’s try to see how we can make the best of what we get during such times. This book is all about this.

The illustrations are so good!

[Star Gater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and American Psychological Association, Magination Press for accepting my request to read and review Out of the Fires.

Author: Carrie Lara
Published: 7/4/23
Genre: Children's Fiction

A current writing generated as a result of the catastrophic fires consuming homes. This book is broken into several parts. The exact number escapes me (4-5?). However, the parts play a huge role dividing the fears, how to communicate your feelings, how to interpret your feelings, and understanding everyone is different. I was truly impressed with the presentation of the information. I was not a fan of the cover; perhaps it means something psychologically.

With absolute respect to the beautifully done inside, I feel like the cover looks like junk mail. I have a list of what it shouldn't be: brightly-colored, Mickey Mouse, etc., and no suggestions.

I would not have a problem gifting or recommending as a gift to groups, especially with kids. I think the need is wide spread and the techniques can be used on all catastrophic events. I would like to see an insert on how to implement for parents, teachers and caregivers.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exceptional children's book comes from the author's personal experience with how her family and town recovered after devastating wildfires. Although she did not lose her home, she worked closely as a therapist with community members who had lost everything, and this book explores the emotions of a young boy who is dealing with the aftermath of a wildfire.

The text seems like something a kid would plausibly write, and the doodle illustrations are cute and engaging. The author clearly represents her character's thoughts and feelings, and his initial reluctance to talk about his emotions or engage in group therapy at school is very realistic. Even though this a short, fast read, his growth over time feels authentic, and the message of resilience feels honest instead of forced.

This book will help and encourage kids who are going through similar traumas, and I am very impressed with how well the author captured a realistic voice in this journal. It could have easily devolved into therapy-speak and adult reflections, but it never did. This seemed real, and is clearly informed by her work with kids. I highly recommend this book to people who need it, and would encourage school and public libraries to have it on their shelves.

I received a temporary digital copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Eunice Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the aftermath of tragedies such as wildfires that destroy homes and even entire neighborhoods; or floods that drown them out, it is good to have help emotionally and mentally for one and all, even for children. This is why I believe this children's book, although labelled as fiction, would be a great boon for children overtaken by such scenarios. It's good for them to know that when they are scared and have angry feelings and so on, that there are safe ways to express them as revealed in this book, and they can move through and out the other side of horrendous natural disasters with resiliency.

I feel that this book is written in a very caring, tender manner and will definitely be healing salve for hurting hearts. There are ideas for coping, such as with emotions, self-care and helping others. There's a list of additional resources that could be of help for those caught in traumas and their fallout.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/ Blogger~

November 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the Publisher.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's easiest to be angry… it's hardest to be sad…" Some of the thoughts of a regular kid made (temporarily) homeless from Californian wildfires. This of course both is and isn't about such specific disasters, for it looks at the mood of anyone displaced, shocked out of their norm and removed from the status quo by tragedy. And in fact the child isn't correct here, for he's just not thinking of being happy again, which – when it comes, alongside the can-do spirit of others, proves the resilience of all involved. The fireweed has a growth spurt, the sun shines on jolly days again, and what hasn't killed us made us stronger. There's just enough entertainment here to prove this not merely the Book With A Purpose, but while this isn't the most riveting narrative the journal feel of things here and the look it gives at someone caught up in such a fire also has a newsworthiness to make it really worth having to hand. A strong four stars.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Magination Press and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book is an amazing resource for our times. As climate change continues to impact our world and unleash devastating wildfires, floods and other natural disasters, we often forget about the price paid by the people hit with these events. This story is about a boy dealing with the aftermath of a fire in his neighborhood - it retells some of the events, but in a gentle and caring way, and looks at how life can go on after everything you knew is gone. The book includes drawings and news clippings to give a sense of place, and I love that it has an appendix with strategies on how to deal with challenges, and lists of where to find additional resources.

[Janice Ishmael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the Fires is a gentle, thoughtful book that addresses the emotional aftermath of disaster through a child’s eyes. Using journal entries, illustrations, and real-world coping strategies, it helps young readers understand loss, resilience, and healing after a devastating fire. The format feels accessible and reassuring, making difficult emotions easier to process. This book is especially valuable for children affected by natural disasters, as well as for caregivers and educators looking for a compassionate tool to start conversations about recovery and strength when life doesn’t return to “normal.”

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC thanks to Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Out of the Fired is a book that should be in classrooms. It is a book that deeply reflects a reality many children are facing more and more every summer her in Canada and year-round in other countries.

The trauma that children are feeling with displacement, uncertainty, and loss is something that tends to be forgotten as children always seem to bounce back. Out of the Fires helps children (and their parents) identify emotions and place some coping mechanism that they can use.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks #Netgalley and the American Psychological Association for providing this book for review. All opinions are mine!

I will definitely be adding this one to my classroom library. This is a story about the resilience and strength of a girl as she navigates life and feelings after a fire destroyed her home and town. The art is cute and compliments the story well.

[Sierra Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child-friendly approach to healing from trauma, Out of the Fires is a diary-style story about a young boy's experiences coping after a wildfire destroys his neighborhood. The story models coping and healing strategies without being preachy. The story ends on a hopeful note and would be a great resources for children and caregivers.

[Zoë]

😭😭😭

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a handbook on coping with trauma; unfortunately timely!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book to read. The book is about a boy who is dealing with the aftermath of a fire in his neighborhood. I loved that the book included drawings, news clippings, strategies on how to deal with challenges, and additional resources.


*Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*