17 copies

Michael loves his great-great-aunt Dew, even if she can't always remember his name. He especially
loves to spend time with her and her beloved hundred penny box, listening to stories about each of
the hundred years of her life. Michael's mother wants to throw out the battered old box that holds the pennies, but
Michael understands that the box itself is as important to Aunt Dew as the memories it contains

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Good story, lovely illustration. A little darker illustration than I favor, but nicely done. I really wanted to know what the box looked like and where the box came from since it played such a large part. This is the size of a picture book, but is much more in depth and wordy. I really felt for all of the characters and was sorry that there was no real resolution. A story to be read together and discussed. Not sure children would appreciate it. ( )

Now 100 years old, Michael's great great aunt Dew comes to live with them. Aunt Dew cared for Michael's father John after his parents died. She often calls Michael "John" because he resembles his father. Michael's mother wants to burn Aunt Dew's hundred penny box in the furnace as she burned many other things Aunt Dew brought with her. The box was a gift to Aunt Dew. Each penny represents a year in her life and helps her recall what happened that year. Michael realizes the importance of that box and wants to save it from destruction. The book does not work as well for today's readers as it did for those in the 1970s. The book does, however, help young readers understand aging. It also helps them understand the value of tradition. The illustrations are all brown tones and underwhelming. ( )