The grandmother's death is not explained, but quietly incorporated into the story. I appreciate how the grandson knows to reach for help in his sorrow.
The story moves on, with more generations.
Showing posts with label old age. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old age. Show all posts
The more you give by Marcy Campbell and Francesca Sanna.
The more you give by Marcy Campbell and Francesca Sanna. 
A beautiful story of continuity and love, with lessons passed down through the generations.
Dadaji's paintbrush written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane
Dadaji's paintbrush written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane. Andersen Press 2022.
Sometimes, the only way to deal with the absence of a loved one is to lock things away - be they memories or physical objects.
The boy copes with the death of his grandfather, Dadaji, by locking everything away. The paintings. The paint. The paintbrush. And his joy and creativity.
A small child reminds him of their shared past, and helps him rediscover his Dadaji and his memories and joy.
Rodney was a tortoise written by Nan Forler, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang.
The overwhelming aloneness of unshared grief, and the importance of someone who reaches out, who understands.
Bernadette and Rodney have a wonderful relationship, and Bernadette's grief at his death is poignantly shown.
How my koro became a star by Brianne Te Paa; illustrated by Story Hemi Moorhouse
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How my koro became a star written by Brianne Te Paa; illustrated by Story Hemi Moorhouse. Huia Publishers 2022.
A true taonga.
Rituals passed down and shared.
The significance and importance of these farewell rituals is integrated beautifully within the story.
The sorrow and shared experiences / memories of a passed loved one are gently shown.
Maia and what matters by Tine Mortier, Kaatje Vermeire & David Colmer.
Maia and her grandmother have a special relationship. After Grandma has a stroke, only Maia seems to understand her - but only after Maia has recovered from her grief and anger over the changes to her playmate.
Then, Grandpa dies. And it is up to Maia to help Grandma say her goodbyes.
Fox: a circle of life story by Isabel Thomas & Daniel Egnéus
Woven through this story of Fox is an explanation of the life cycle, of decomposition, of the food chain.
Its structure would appeal to those who need a story, and also those who prefer facts.
Saturdays are for Stella by Candy Wellins; illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan.
Saturdays are for Stella by Candy Wellins; illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan. Page Street Kids 2020.
A story about the circle of life, and the comfort found in continuing and passing on traditions.
George loves Saturdays, because Saturdays are for Stella – his grandmother. George and Stella have their traditions, which include dancing to Stella’s “giant, flat Frisbees [she] could get […] to play music.” One Saturday, there is no Stella, and George’s world changes.
Although Stella’s death is not explicitly stated, George’s reactions to her absence are vividly portrayed through the illustrations, and understated text.
But, his life changes when a new Stella arrives – his new baby sister. And he enjoys passing on his and Stella-grandma’s traditions.
A story about the circle of life, and the comfort found in continuing and passing on traditions.
George loves Saturdays, because Saturdays are for Stella – his grandmother. George and Stella have their traditions, which include dancing to Stella’s “giant, flat Frisbees [she] could get […] to play music.” One Saturday, there is no Stella, and George’s world changes.
Although Stella’s death is not explicitly stated, George’s reactions to her absence are vividly portrayed through the illustrations, and understated text.
But, his life changes when a new Stella arrives – his new baby sister. And he enjoys passing on his and Stella-grandma’s traditions.
A map into the world by Kao Kalia Yang and Seo Kim.
A map into the world by Kao Kalia Yang; illustrated by Seo Kim. Carolrhoda Books 2019.
A gentle story of inter-generational and cross-cultural understanding and empathy.
A young Hmong girl and her family move into a new house, while awaiting the birth of her twin brothers. Across the street live Bob and Ruth.
Time and seasons pass, and Ruth dies.
Wanting to give comfort and healing, the girl draws a map into the world for Bob, on his driveway.
A gentle story of inter-generational and cross-cultural understanding and empathy.
A young Hmong girl and her family move into a new house, while awaiting the birth of her twin brothers. Across the street live Bob and Ruth.
Time and seasons pass, and Ruth dies.
Wanting to give comfort and healing, the girl draws a map into the world for Bob, on his driveway.
An ordinary day by Elana K. Arnold and Elizabet Vuković.
An ordinary day by Elana K. Arnold; illustrated by Elizabet Vuković. Beach Lane Books 2020.
A beautiful and gentle demonstration of the circle of life, of beginnings and endings, and how normal - how ordinary, yet extraordinary, each experience is.
In one house, a much loved dog is farewelled; next door, a new baby is welcomed.
Meanwhile, life continues outside.
The hug blanket by Chris Gurney and Lael Chisholm.
The hug blanket by Chris Gurney; illustrated by Lael Chisholm. Scholastic New Zealand 2020.
Also available as Te paraikete kauwhi
nā Ngaere Roberts ngā korero i whakamāori.
It sounds like whispers.
It looks like rainbows.
It feels like love."
A story of love and family.
When a girl's Nana dies suddenly, she shares her feelings.
As her family hold the funeral, and visit Nana's grave, the family celebrate and share in ways that Nana would enjoy.
Nana was all about fun and joy - and that is how the family remember her.
Up the mountain by Marianne Dubuc, translated by Sarah Ardizzone.
Up the mountain by Marianne Dubuc, translated by Sarah
Ardizzone. Book Island 2018.
A story of friendship and sharing and passing on of
knowledge.
Mrs Badger loves the mountain and teaches Leo, a cat, about
the mountain.
Slowly, as Mrs Badger ages, Leo takes the mountain over. And
passes on his knowledge to another.
Alfie and the birthday surprise by Shirley Hughes.
Alfie and the birthday surprise by Shirley Hughes. Bodley
Head 1997.
The story of the importance and friendship/ companionship
found in pets. And how a cat can effect a community.
It also shows how wonderful it is to be part of a community/
neighbourhood.
When the neighbour's old cat dies, the street combine to
comfort Mr MacNally with a surprise birthday, including a new kitten.
Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.
Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Roaring Brook Press 2018.
So simple and yet so powerful. Sparse words tell the story
of a young boy and his dog.
It is so sparse, much explanation may be needed, as
you could miss the fact the dog dies.
What is heaven like? by Beverly Lewis & Pam Querin.
What is heaven like? by Beverly Lewis, illustrated by Pam
Querin. Bethany House 2006.
A comforting exploration of Christian heaven and afterlife,
with Biblical verses as footnotes.
Tibble and Grandpa by Wendy Meddour & Daniel Egneus.
Tibble and Grandpa by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel
Egneus. Oxford University Press 2019.
Tibble tries to find a way to get Grandpa to talk to him -
to come out of his grief after the death of his wife, Tibble's Granny.
A simple yet powerful story about memories and connections.
The immortal jellyfish by Sang Miao.
The immortal jellyfish by Sang Miao. Flying Eye Books 2019.
A young boy finds comfort in his dreams of his recently dead
grandfather, as his grandfather chooses what to be reincarnated as.
This may have limited bibliotherapy uses.
Are you sad, Little Bear? by Rachel Rivett & Tina Macnaughton.
Are you sad, Little Bear?: a book about learning to say
goodbye by Rachel Rivett, illustrated by Tina Macnaughton. Lion Children’s
2009.
A metaphorical and spiritual look at death, and moving into
another realm.
Grandad's island by Benji Davies.
Grandad's island by Benji Davies. Simon and Schuster 2015.
A metaphorical story about death, which may raise more
questions than answers. This limits its effectiveness as a bibliotherapy text.
Zayde comes to live by Sheri Sinykin & Kristina Swarner.
Zayde comes to live by Sheri Sinykin, illustrated by
Kristina Swarner. Peachtree 2012.
So many books about death and the afterlife are from a
Christian perspective, so this is welcome addition, told from a Jewish
perspective.
Christian and Islamic beliefs are mentioned as Rachel, the
first-person narrator, tries to find out what is going to happen to her
grandfather, her Zayde, after his death.
It is a reassuring and touching story about the circle of
life.
The rough patch by Brian Lies.
The rough patch by Brian Lies. Greenwillow Books 2018.
Both literal and metaphorical anger express Evan's grief
after the death of his (unnamed) dog.
Healing comes through time and friends, reestablishing
routine, and a new puppy.
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