Hugs for Sammy, a children’s book about acceptance, is a story about bridging differences.


Sammy, who is seven years old, spends some anxious moments as he prepares for the first day in his new school. He remembers how sad and lonely he felt at his old school. What will it be like in the new one? Will he make any friends? Will the kids in his class discover his secret? What will happen when they find out?

This story takes us through the first few weeks of a little boy’s struggle to feel accepted in his new environment. Because Sammy is HIV positive, children at his former school sometimes treated him with reserve or were scared to get close to him.

As the story unfolds, however, Sammy has a chance to be accepted for who he is. He is no longer limited by his medical diagnosis as the people in his life help him along the way and embrace him with love and friendship.

A Sister of Mercy for nearly 60 years, Sister Eva has long been involved in ministry in Honduras and at Casa Corazón de la Misericordia. These days Sister Eva travels to Honduras for a couple of months each year in her role of overseeing the home’s fundraising.

I'm happy to announce that my children’s book, Hugs for Sammy, has finally been published,” said Sister Eva Lallo, RSM, in a recent statement. “The inspiration for the book came from my many years in Honduras working with the children of Casa Corazón de la Misericordia (Heart of Mercy House).”

Casa Corazón de la Misericordia is a home in Honduras sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy that cares for orphaned and abandoned children who are HIV positive. Sammy, the seven-year-old boy in Sister Eva’s book, is HIV positive. Proceeds from the sales will go toward the care of the children who call Casa Corazón de la Misericordia their home.

“I think that you’ll find [the book] thoughtful and worth reading with your class, if you are a teacher, or with your children, [if you are a parent],” said Sister Eva. Questions for discussion that follow the story treat such topics as being different and bullying.
 


Price: USD 10.82

 

Eva Lallo rsm