BLURB:

The Mood Swing is a whimsical and heartwarming tale that takes young readers on a magical journey through the emotional ups and downs of grief.

The story follows a young boy, named Peter, as he navigates the challenging feelings after the loss of his father.

A magical swing, tethered to a Moon Tree, propels Peter into fantastical adventures that mirror his emotions. When Peter is happy, with both of his parents by his side, he blasts off into a fantastical adventure through Outer Space – a dream come true! When he returns a year later without his father, the swing descends, plunging Peter into a pit of quicksand. But soon, with the help of his mother, and a reminder that his father is never far, Peter learns to find the balance and simply enjoy riding the swing.

MY THOUGHTS:

Some books don’t just tell a story, they show up right when your heart needs them. The Mood Swing by B.R. Duray found its way to me shortly after I lost my aunt in March 2025. It was a hard time, filled with all the emotions you expect—and some you don’t. But this book? It felt like a soft place to land. The message that “there is always a guardian angel watching over you” hit me right in the soul.

I’ve read this book several times since March, each time with my four-year-old daughter curled up next to me. And let me tell you, she loves this book. She acts out the scenes, especially when Peter is afraid or when he’s getting pushed on the swing. Every single time, without fail, she’s all in. And that makes my mama heart so happy.

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, bright, engaging, and filled with feeling. It’s rare that we read a book from start to finish in one sitting, let alone over and over again. But this one? It holds her attention every time. We read the whole thing front to back, and then sometimes do it again. Lol.

Even though this is a children’s book, it spoke volumes to me. As someone going through grief, it was so comforting—gentle in its message, yet powerful in its impact. It’s the kind of story I wish every child (and honestly, every adult) could experience, especially those trying to navigate loss or big emotions.

I truly appreciate B.R. Duray for writing this. It’s more than just a story—it’s a reminder, a moment of peace, and a shared experience between me and my daughter that I’ll always treasure. This book has earned a forever spot on our bookshelf.

And if you want to see the magic come to life, check out the short film inspired by the book here: Watch on YouTube. It captures the heart of the story so beautifully.

Sending so much love to anyone going through a hard time right now. Stories like this one remind us we’re never really alone.

Happy reading, friends.