The Mood Swing by B.R. Duray

The Mood Swing by B.R. Duray, illustrated by Momes
Publisher:  Moon Tree Studios LLC
Format:  Ebook
Number of pages:   56 pages
Publishing:  June 1st, 2025 
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines:  "In a magical land on top of a hill, tied to a Moon Tree, a swing stood still..." 

A magical swing takes Peter on a journey past comets, planets, and stars. It's one of his favorite moments with both his parents by his side. However, when Peter returns a year later, without his father, his experience is not the same.  His ride on the swing, plunges him into a pit of quicksand.  Yet, with some help from his mother, Peter is able to get out.  Peter's mom then reminds him that there is help all around, and his father is never too far, so all he has to do is to look up at the stars.  Encouraged by his mother's words, Peter is able to give the swing another chance.    

The Mood Swing was inspired by the author's experience of losing his father at the age of ten. It's a gently story about the loss of a parent and the accompanying feelings of sadness, despair and grief.  I really enjoyed how the story conveyed Peter's loss of interest in the magical swing when his father died, something that once brought him great joy and adventure.  Peter was trying to be brave, but his emotions had him twirled up in knots.  The illustration of Peter falling into the pit of quicksand was my favorite as the words twirled in a circle around the edges of the pit.   I also loved that the rope that pulls him out of the pit is made of pure love. 

Death of a parent is a difficult topic to broach with children and yet it's important for them to know that they aren't alone in what their feeling.  The idea of there being help all around, including guardian angles looking down from above, is also a comforting sentiment.  The illustrations by Momes beautifully convey Peter's emotions, especially with the color choices, or the use of bright colors to reflect his initial joy and the browns of when he is sad. The story is easily relatable to young children and handles the difficult subject with great care.  

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the Ebook in exchange for an honest review**