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After her father passed away in November, Straughn alumna Michelle Bonam needed a way to tell her four-year-old son the news. That is when she came up with the idea for Daddy’s New Home: Heaven, her debut children’s book.

“My father passed away in November,” Bonam said. “And we were trying to explain to my youngest son that pawpaw wasn’t coming back and trying to get him to understand especially about death and what happens. So, my father and my son really inspired me to write this book.”

Daddy’s New Home: Heaven, is based on a Father passing away in a little girl’s life. This book was created to give grieving children a more subtle perspective of losing a parent. However, it is to defuse the confusion of death and provide hope and understanding in a child manner.

Bonam said she has always loved to write and found that putting her poems into a book was the best thing she could do.

“I really do enjoy writing,” Bonam said. “I write down my thoughts and I love poetry. So, this book is written with a poetry theme.”

One poem at the end of the book is especially heartfelt to Bonam.

“There is a poem at the end of the book titled ‘Empty Chair,’” Bonam said. “That came about because my brother passed away about five years ago and he had this favorite chair. Then, my father passed away and he had a favorite chair. So, to walk into the house and that chair is empty, is a feeling like no other. It takes something out of you because you know that that chair will never be filled again.”

When people read this book, Bonam said she hopes it will help young people understand what death is.

“I want them to understand that whenever people leave the Earth, they are going to heaven,” Bonam said. “Hopefully this book will be able to help them accept the transition from Earth to heaven.”

Since finishing the book, Bonam has donated several copies to young children who have lost parents and hopes to have a book signing in the coming months.

Bonam is also a rehabilitation counselor.

To order Daddy’s New Home: Heaven, visit https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/daddys-new-home-alshuna-bonam/1138481646?ean=9781735834436&fbclid=IwAR0KaUP9vR7bg7y2wzCcg3THwFM9OldWAhQAzpnpknHIi34JHlfGKI3HQPs