Product Description

Transformative lessons in life learnt through a remarkable three-year-old girl's battle with cancer. From Hannah's story emerge five profound lessons -- of truth, joy, faith, compassion and wonder -- that have the power to change our lives. Every once in a while a book comes along that can change your life -- a book so special, it is destined not just to be read but to be cherished, to be passed from one reader to another as a precious gift. Filled with wisdom and grace, tears and laughter, Hannah's Gift is one such book. Maria Housden shares the transformative lessons in living she received from her three-year-old daughter Hannah, who brought courage, honesty and joy to her struggle with cancer. During the last year of her short life, Hannah was fearless in the way she faced death -- and irrepressibly joyful in the way she approached living. The little girl who wore her favourite red shoes into the operating theatre changed the life of everyone who came in contact with her. Now, in a book that preserves Hannah's indomitable spirit, Maria Housden offers the gift of her daughter's last year to all of us. In a lyrically told narrative, both moving and unforgettable, Housden recounts Hannah's battle with cancer in simple, straightforward language that transcends grief and fear to become a celebration. Hannah's Gift nourishes the soul with an ageless wisdom all the more invaluable for having come from someone so young. A remarkable story, remarkably told, it will bring comfort to anyone touched by loss and renewed faith in the power of love.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #194672 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
'a heartbreaking and heartwarming tale' People Magazine 'I couldn't read more than a few pages of this for my tears obscuring the print- it is the story of a three-year-old child's battle with cancer. Uplifting I understand, but too heartbreaking for me. However, I've no doubt it will sell.' Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller, Paperback supplement "Will fill you with tears and laughter!a heartwarming and life-enriching read.' Woman's Way

From the Publisher
Hannah's Gift nourishes the soul with an ageless wisdom all the more invaluable for having come from someone so young. A remarkable story, remarkably told, it will bring comfort to anyone touched by loss and renewed faith in the power of love.

About the Author
Maria Housden has led bereavement support groups an speaks throughout the US to groups as diverse as church and civic organisations, high school students and medical professionals.

Customer Reviews

Hannah's gift...the story of a wonderous little girl
I found this book in a hotel library whilst in Ibiza last summer and decided to give it a go. I spent 3 hours reading this, and I swear my pillow was soaked with tears by the end of it. The story of Hannah, a 3-year-old cancer patient, is so painful yet is a story of hope and overcoming death by accepting its existance. The book is separated into five different sections: truth, joy, faith, compassion and wonder, all told through the eyes of Hannah's mother Maria. This story is one that will keep you crying and smiling up to the last page, especially when you read about the red Mary Janes! Overall, I think everyone should read this and rediscover their love of life and a new outlook on what it means to live life to its fullest.

Heartbreaking and memorable
This book was a compulsive read. The tears ran down my face as i either cried or laughed. I dont think a three year old has ever has such an impact on peoples lives. This book was a heartbreaking read but it showed just how life is seen by a three year old. It showed how cancer affects the entire family but also showed how they coped and how much Hannah was part of their lives. I could not stop reading till it was finished, i had to keep on going to see how Hannah changed the lives of the next people. It must have been a hard book to write but it has been done well and shows the life of a three year old and the memories that will always be there

You MUST read this book
I read this book after the death of my friend's son last year while looking for answers about life and death. This book made me cry (lots) but also made me laugh too. I found Hannah's story to be truly inspirational and felt that it really helped me to find some comfort at a really difficult time. I think that everyone could learn something from book. Hannah's Gift is really special - definately the best book that I've read in years!!