This gorgeous picture book is full of wisdom. What do you do when a friendship breaks?

You find strength in the world of nature. New friendships can be raised up.

The messages blended with emotion language makes this a great tool for discussing the complexities of friendship. I found myself reflecting on my own friendship experiences as well.

This book is a touch too wordy for the target audience. Most children who enjoy picture books are going to lose interest. The illustrations are stunning, though.

Please read if you also enjoy nature walks, Alice in Wonderland, or ever had someone return your friendship necklace.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this ebook.

This is a gorgeously illustrated children's book about healing from the grief of losing a dear friend - not by death but by choice. The heroine uses the besuty of nature to heal her heart and empower herself to find her worth again. Deep emotions are presented in such a beautiful way.

The book's back cover states - when heartbreak strikes, magic awakens, this is a simple one-liner that's befitting for the story that lies within. My Earth Journey, written and illustrated by Evelyn Dean opens with our protagonist, a young school girl heartbroken with her BFF spurning her for another one, refusing to take a beautiful necklace made for her. In tears, our protagonist rests against a big tree in the rock garden at the edge of her school yard. Slowly, she is swept into an imaginary world in dreams where otters have fun and frolic with her under water, a hawk takes her on her back, flies high and shows her how big and wide the world is that many things we assume are huge are actually insignificant and small. After her excursions underwater with otters and in the sky with the hawk, she is guided into woods filled with trees, flowers and fruits by a hare. Wild strawberries, lavender and dandelion enliven the spirit of our heartbroken protagonist and very soon she barely cares for a BFF lost. Waking up into reality, back at the yard in school, she is nudged to join along for playing by another girl she knows little about. The book ends with a positive note of how the world is too big to be devoid of hope and good things and little hurt and heartbreak are definitely not the end of the road or our way in this wide world.

A lovely book with gorgeous illustrations and good amount of text, this one stands out specifically for the end notes. The rose flowers, dandelions , lavender, mugwort leaves, violets and Valerian flowers are all there in the story for reasons. The author describes their healing and medicinal properties. The animals top chosen to propel the story forward , the otters, hare and hawk have significance and are suited to the premise of the story. This careful thought by the author is what singularly elevated the reading experience for me.

Loved this book, though the theme and treatment is commonplace, the reasons behind the treatment are unique.

This is a good social emotional learning book for upper elementary school. The book shows how taking time after a disappointment and thinking before you act can help you find truth and understanding. The book uses a dream of animals teaching the lessons when a young girl finds rejection on the playground.

A young girl, heartbroken by a friend, escapes to a peaceful rock garden where she is transported into a magical dreamscape filled with guiding animals and healing plants. Through her journey, she learns how nature can soothe her sadness and help her rediscover joy.

This is such an endearing and heartwarming story for older elementary readers. We all know how deeply a moment of feeling left out can affect the little hearts in our lives, and this book offers a gentle, imaginative path forward. Through its lush illustrations and lyrical storytelling, My Earth Journey shows how the beauty of the natural world can remind us that we are never truly alone. Guided by playful otters, a soaring hawk, a wise hare, and the comforting presence of plants like lavender and mugwort, the story invites children to see how connecting with nature can sustain them through life’s hardest emotions, reset their hearts and minds, and open them up to new friendships.

The artwork is vibrant and immersive, drawing readers into a dreamscape that feels both magical and deeply grounding. It’s a book that not only nurtures emotional resilience and mindfulness but also inspires a deeper appreciation for the Earth and all its wonders. A delightful and meaningful read for the small hearts in our lives—and for the grown-ups who read with them.

Thank you to NetGalley and 12 Willows Press for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.