"The gentle pastel watercolor pencil illustrations complement this tribute to a dearly loved grandfather. . . . Parents and caregivers will find this book very useful in helping children cope with the loss of a grandparent . . . and maybe find a bit of solace for themselves, as well." —Children's Literature
"An excellent book that will resonate with many children who experience the death of someone they loved . . . addresses the unpredictable and varied range of emotions, the different perspectives of adult and child, and the idea of how memories can be comforting." —Dr. Patti Homan, program director, PATHways Center for Grief & Loss
"A very strong addition to books available on loss, tendering articulating the 'wishes' we all have." —Ithaca Child
"A treat for the heart and soul." —The Jewish Press
"This is a dear, sweet book that focuses on the issue of death without making it beyond the understanding of 5-9-year-olds." —National Jewish Post & Opinion
"This [book] would be very helpful and comforting to use with children who have lost a grandparent or other loved one." —Jewish Book World
"Covering a wide range of emotions, this celebration of Poppy’s life will help Anna and Joey keep his memory alive for years to come. . . . Jacqui Grantford's portrait-quality gouache and watercolor pencil illustrations are a fitting tribute to this reminder of the important things in life." —MyShelf.com
"This picture story book is a reassuring method of introducing the subject of death to younger children." —Large Print Reviews.com
"With its magnificently soothing, portrait-quality illustrations . . . this touching story normalizes a child’s reactions to loss." —Academic Planet.com
"I even cried at the beauty and simplicity of the children’s idea. I found the book delightful because, for me, it really isn't about death. It is about the celebration of a human being." —The Reading Tub.com
A grandfather's death inspires his grandchildren to create a book of wishes in this sensitive portrayal of dealing with the loss of a loved one. When Anna and her little brother Joey hear the sad news about their Poppy's death, they begin to think about what they would do if they could have one more day with him. They smile thinking about Poppy’s crazy birthday hat, giggle at the silly songs Poppy used to plunk out on the piano, and laugh out loud at the weekly chicken-soup game they played with him at the deli. As the list grows into a pile, the pile becomes a book—a book of wishes for one more day with Poppy—or, as their mother explains, a memory book of the love and fun they shared with him, since all of their wishes have already come true. This treasured memento celebrates Poppy’s life and helps Anna and Joey keep his memory alive for years to come.
Melanie Joy Pastor is a kindergarten and elementary-school teacher active in the Kid Alert and Write Start programs. She lives in Tarzana, California. Jacqui Grantford is the author and illustrator of Shoes News and Various Faerious. She is the 2005 Dromkeen Grand Dragon for children's book illustration and the 2003 winner of the Salon des Refuses People’s Choice Award.
View interior graphics from this book.
Sample image 1 (44K)
Sample image 2 (39K)
Childrens: Picture Books
Age Range: 5 to 8
32 pages, Cloth, 8 1/2 x 11
29 Color Illustrations, Four-color Interior
Distribution Rights: WOR
$15.95 (CAN $21.95)
9780972922579 (0972922571) Pub Date: September 2006
Flashlight Press