Guest Author - Krissi Danielsson

I often get requests from authors to review new books or websites about pregnancy loss, which is one of the neatest things about writing for BellaOnline. Recently I had the opportunity to review a rather unusual little book called Butterbean, written by Brandon Roberts.

Why is Butterbean an usual book? For starters, it is a grief and coping book written by a father. Roberts himself is a husband whose wife experienced a pregnancy loss, and he created the story in an attempt to bring his wife some comfort – then he decided to share the story with others in the form of a book.

But more to the point, unlike any other miscarriage support book out there, Butterbean doesn’t spend a lot of time talking exclusively about loss. Instead, it is an allegorical story about a family who loved each other very much. It tells of how Butterbean came to live with her mother and father and became an integrated part of the family, and how much her mother and father loved her. But then one day, her mom and dad couldn’t find Butterbean. They were sad, but then they found a note that brought them some comfort.

Roberts poignantly captures the feelings of a family excited about a new arrival but then having to readjust to a new reality without that child. I liked how Butterbean was already a family member in the story even though she wasn’t born yet – this is, I think, exactly how many families feel when they lose an unborn child and something that is understood only by people who have been through the experience, as Roberts and his wife were.

Roberts’ allegory seems like a great addition to the field of pregnancy loss support materials. I do think the book will be appreciated primarily by readers of a Judeo Christian nature, given the Biblical references in the story. Nonreligious readers may not connect with the story as well.

But for readers of that leaning, Butterbean offers a different reading experience than other books on the market. It would make an excellent gift for a family reeling from a loss. Butterbean is a short book on only 54 pages, so it is a quick read. Perhaps if grieving moms and dads read the story together following a loss, it might help bring them closer and help them to connect and share their feelings.

Roberts can offer volume discounts for anyone interested in purchasing multiple copies of the book; visit his publisher's website for more information. Butterbean is also available on Amazon.