The Twelve Gifts for Healing

Costanzo provides another prettily illustrated self-help book with this slender follow up to 2001's The Twelve Gifts of Birth. Divided into two parts, the book opens with a short illustrated parable describing the journey of a sick young woman and the spiritual guide who helps her find the""healing place"" within herself. The book's second half presents readers with 12 mantras, such as""May peace wash over you,"" that Costanzo used during her own seemingly hopeless battle with cancer. Each mantra is accompanied with a soothing pink and sepia toned photograph. Sweet, heartening and somewhat predictable, Costanza's work reminds one of a children's book or an extended Hallmark card. Nonetheless, the fluffy optimism of this message of self-empowerment may comfort those in need of some gentle encouragement.