My Angel Tree © Kirsty Bilski 2007
All Rights Reserved
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Children’s Hospice
South West
Reg. charity no: 1003314
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Apex Publishing Ltd
& more about
‘My Angel Tree’
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Help! Counselling
Children Ages 9 -
Page Extemt: 200
ISBN: 1-
ISBN 13: 978-
Book Type: Hardback
Classification: Autobiography
Price: £9.99
Wellington Weekly News
3rd September 2008
A book by Wellington author Kirsty Bilski, which charts her daughter’s courageous fight against liver cancer is selling well, the publishers say:
My Angel Tree: A True Experience was written following the death of Kirsty’s daughter,
Jessica Leigh-
Kirsty who lives at Tonedale in the town said “I’m absolutely delighted. By all accounts
it is selling well and receiving a really positive response. There has been a lot
of interest in the book and I have had some really positive feedback. It is a book
which is about love, family, honesty and loss-
“My hope was that Jessie’s story would make a difference sonehow and I already know from some of the feedback I have received, that people have been extremely moved by what they have read.”
The Book can be purchased from Wellington Books priced £9.99 and on-
Review by Mandy Robbins ~ Director of Care
Children’s Hospice South West
22nd September 2007
I am a children’s nurse by training and during my professional career have worked with children with chronic or life limiting/life threatening illnesses and their families for many years. I have read many books written by parents about their circumstances of caring for a seriously ill child, as they provide invaluable insights which help us (as health professionals) gain a greater understanding. I can, therefore, place Kirsty’s book in the context of other published books in the same field.
First and foremost, my main reaction to the book is that it was a very moving story and completely engrossing. My colleague, the Medical Director at Children’s Hospice South West, read it in one sitting! I found myself not wanting to put it down and looking forward to picking it up again to continue with the story. The story is very moving and I found myself in tears as I read on several occasions, but also inspired by the honesty, courage and love that Kirsty, Jess, Jerzy, Gemma and Stewart shared.
I believe the story will have a wide appeal. In particular I think that other families in similar circumstances will find it helpful, incredibly sad, but also uplifting. Kirsty talks of how, when at the hospice, she had gained strength and inspiration from speaking with another mother after their little boy had died. Kirsty writes that: ‘ Her shared honesty alone enabled me to know I could travel this same path’. I am sure that other parents will gain strength from reading Kirsty’s book.
I believe the book will be of great value to professionals working within this field as it is very illuminating – giving us a ‘fly on the wall’ view of our approach, practice and environments, (some things which Kirsty describes made my heart sink – but also made me even more determined to really THINK about the way we do things). I have already used insights I gained from the book in a workshop I attended recently where we were discussing informing parents of their child’s diagnosis and breaking bad news. There are real lessons to be had in Kirsty’s book. It is also an inspiring reminder of the courage and stoicism of children and the importance of thinking about the whole family.
I also believe this will be a moving and uplifting story for the general public – reading of how a family cope with adversity. Although it is a sad story, the reader does not come away depressed and disheartened, but inspired by the bravery and determination of Jess and the love and support of the family.
I think that Kirsty has achieved a wonderfully balanced approach to the story she tells, I cannot use the word objective, because she tells such an intimate and personal story, but she writes in a very non judgmental way and is both honest and self aware. Kirsty is articulate and eloquent and the book reads well. She has an amazing memory for both the practical detail and also the emotion and feeling that surrounded them at different times.
I found this a powerful and honest account of a very moving story, which brought tears to my eyes – but left me feeling uplifted and inspired.
Jess’s Pictures......
When My Angel Tree was published Jess’s artwork was unable to be included. Throughout this website you will find some of her pictures displayed.
This is a colourful pastel interpretation of some flowers
All author royalties for the sale of ‘ My Angel Tree’
will be donated directly to Children’s Hospice South West
Children’s Hospice South West is a very special local Charity, which currently cares
for about four hundred life-
Making the most of Short and Precious Lives
‘My Angel Tree’ begins with Kirsty & Jerzy’s Wedding, April 2000...
A time of Love, hopes and dreams for the future.....
A Wonderful Day
A Wonderful Memory
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