Author Series: Lambi Learns About Addiction

Welcome to Eluna’s Author Series: A set of read-aloud videos and accompanying author interview questions to further support youth affected by grief or a family member’s substance use disorder. This video project aims to elevate select picture books in a user-friendly format to foster hope & healing in the home, classroom, and community.

In this Author Series Read Aloud, we welcome author Trish Luna to read Lambi Learns About Addiction

To accompany the video above, we have asked Trish a series of questions to learn more about her story…

Can you please share the story behind the story?

The story behind Lambi Learns is deeply personal. My husband, the father of my children, struggled with substance use disorder and eventually lost his life to the disease. Watching my children try to make sense of what was happening to their father was incredibly difficult. I struggled to find the right words to create a safe space to have the conversation with appropriate language to help them understand and express their feelings. When I searched for resources to help guide these important discussions, I was surprised to find there weren’t any that met our needs. So I eventually wrote my own book. I wanted to provide other families, who may be navigating similar challenges, with a compassionate and relatable resource.  The book is my way of turning our difficult experiences into something that can help others feel less alone and better equipped to handle their own journeys.

What questions could caring adults ask during or after the book?

Understanding the Story

• What do you think Lambi learned about addiction in the story?
• Why do you think Lambi felt worried or confused at first?
• How did Lambi show kindness and support to others in the story?
• What does it mean when the book says it’s not your fault? Why is that message important?

Exploring Emotions

• Have you ever felt confused or scared like Lambi? What helped you feel better?
• If you could talk to Lambi, what would you tell them about your own feelings?
• How does Lambi remind us that it’s okay to ask for help and talk about hard things?

Encouraging Dialogue

• What are some questions you have after reading Lambi’s story?
• Who are the trusted adults in your life, like the ones Lambi talked to in the story, that you could share your feelings with?
• What do you think families or communities can do to help someone struggling with addiction?

Focusing on Prevention

• Why is it important to understand what addiction is, like Lambi did?
• What are some healthy choices we can make to take care of our minds and bodies?
• How can learning about addiction help prevent it in the future?

Building Connection and Reassurance

• What did Lambi do in the story that helped make things feel better?
• How does having someone like Lambi as a companion make dealing with tough feelings easier?
• What would you say to another kid who is feeling confused or sad about addiction in their family?

Do you have some recommended activities to do after reading the book?

We now have a brand new Lambi Workbook that is full of fun activities for kids of all ages. You can also ask kids what their favorite calm-down cool tool is and have them demonstrate it. You can download free cool tools to print out, cut out, and practice.

*Special Thanks to Jazz Bhatti, Eluna Intern, for supporting the development of Eluna’s Author Series.