Freaking aye, someday I'll learn not to read this type of book while I'm at one of our library service desks (thankfully no one walked up right after)Freaking aye, someday I'll learn not to read this type of book while I'm at one of our library service desks (thankfully no one walked up right after). This made me tear up twice (once as I read it and then once just as I sat thinking about it).
Our lead is a very caring little person who wants to comfort those around them who have had a loss but wants to do it in just the right way. Is that way a picture? A joke? A hug? They find it depends on the person (and maybe the type of loss). Firstly, I really like that each (well, except the last) person tells the child what they need and, at the biggest loss of all (a grandparent passing away), our little hero says, "Can you tell me what to do? I don't know how to help." Now that is a powerful question and statement and the book gets even better by having the other child unsure of what would help so they "figured it out. Together." And in the meantime, our lead was just there for them, nearby, trying different things with them, together.
I try to glance through our new books as they come into the library and I ended up reading this while I was staffing a service point...which definitelI try to glance through our new books as they come into the library and I ended up reading this while I was staffing a service point...which definitely wasn't a good idea because I hardcore teared up as I was reading it. It's a very sweet story about a granddaughter who makes "windows" (paintings) for her grandpa's hospital room to help brighten it up...and then she loses him to his illness.
There's a note by a child psychologist at the back of the book and it also lists a few resources. ...more
Honestly, I didn't make it all the way through this one. It's translated from another language (German) and it shows. I'm sure it's all grammatically Honestly, I didn't make it all the way through this one. It's translated from another language (German) and it shows. I'm sure it's all grammatically correct but it sounds "stuffy" and stiff. This comes across especially strongly in the speech bubbles because it's often children or stuffed animals who are supposed to be doing the talking but it sounds more like "proper" grandmothers talking to each other.
I would maybe recommend this for a parent to help them get ideas on how to talk with their kids about divorce but I wouldn't actually read it with a child....more
A sweet and lovely book about losing someone, remembering them, and slowly starting to heal while also holding them near by "calling the wind."A sweet and lovely book about losing someone, remembering them, and slowly starting to heal while also holding them near by "calling the wind."...more
An important book for a sad, important topic. The dad of the lead character has a horrible temper and unfairly blames his spouse and child for things An important book for a sad, important topic. The dad of the lead character has a horrible temper and unfairly blames his spouse and child for things that aren't their fault so school is this child's safe place. There's no clear resolution but the last text and illustration hint at hope.
Some of the text in this is truly beautiful, it goes, "And I knew that the strongest thing could never be loud and scary and angry, because the strongest thing was calm and kind and so much stronger..."...more
Beautiful words and illustrations combine to create a powerful book about remembering the bad times, honoring those who overcame them, and celebratingBeautiful words and illustrations combine to create a powerful book about remembering the bad times, honoring those who overcame them, and celebrating the good times.
I love the combination of the photographs combined with the gorgeous backgrounds.
Back matter gives a bit of context to the illustrations and who and what they are conveying....more
This book kind of tracks the journey many unhoused people take, they first stay with friends/loved ones, eventually end up in a shelter, and then are This book kind of tracks the journey many unhoused people take, they first stay with friends/loved ones, eventually end up in a shelter, and then are housed again. It is an important "mirrors and windows" book in that it allows unhoused children to see themselves represented and also allows housed children a glimpse into an experience different from their own (and may open up some productive discussion).
The author of this book was homeless for much of the time until they were in 1st grade so, though it may be a long-ago experience, it was part of her experience. ...more
A lovingly illustrated book about a "blue" (depressed) day and how a loving family can help you rise out of that, sometimes by just being there and waA lovingly illustrated book about a "blue" (depressed) day and how a loving family can help you rise out of that, sometimes by just being there and waiting patiently with you for you to feel better. There is a useful and informative author's note in the back and the author is a psychologist....more
A very sweet book about little traditions, losing a grandpa, and making new memories to help remember the one who's past on. I teared up as I read thiA very sweet book about little traditions, losing a grandpa, and making new memories to help remember the one who's past on. I teared up as I read this one.
I think this may be one of my preferred books on losing a grandparent. I like how there's a special thing that just the girl and her grandpa do, how for awhile after his death she holds onto that and doesn't share, but eventually shares that tradition with her grandmother....more
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