All of a Sudden and Forever: help and healing after the Oklahoma City bombing

All of a Sudden and Forever: help and healing after the Oklahoma City bombing
By Chris Barton
Carolrhoda Books, 2020. Informational Picture Book. 40 p.

When a bomb explodes in front of a federal building in Oklahoma City - injuring and killing many people - the town is astonished to find that a nearby elm tree resiliently stands tall against the devastating blast. This tree becomes a symbol of hope for the people of Oklahoma that things will be alright and each year it serves as the meeting place for people to gather and remember the tragedies of that fateful day. The tree's seedlings are collected and distributed to people going through hard times, sometimes as a reminder of loss and sometimes as symbol of hope. Rallying around the tree the people of Oklahoma come together to cope with the tragedy of the bombing and use their experiences to go forth and help others through hard times.

The focus of this book is on the strength of the people who came out of this tragedy rather than the devastation it caused. This coupled with quiet, but impactful words and riveting illustrations make this book an incredible tribute to those affected by this event as well as a source of comfort to any going through a hard time that things will be alright.

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