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Loading... Big Cat Pepperby Elizabeth Partridge
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. A little boy and his family learns to get over the pet cat's death. Soon he learns that the cat is always with him all he has to do think of him. "Mama, me and Pepper, / always been this way. / Never been without him, / even for a day." So begins the rhyming text of Elizabeth Partridge's picture-book about a young boy who confronts the reality of death, when he loses his beloved cat, Pepper. Introducing the affectionate rhythm of their life together - the boy looks for Pepper after school every day, shaking a bag of kibble if he can't find him - the narrative soon moves on to the warning signs of death - Pepper's withdrawal, his lack of interest in food or play. The death itself, the funeral in the backyard, and the boy's subsequent grief, and feelings of emptiness, come next. Eventually, the boy comes to terms with his loss, feeling a connection to Pepper's "spirit" in the natural world around him... A lovely little book, one that addresses a difficult but important topic with sensitivity, Big Cat Pepper features charming mixed media illustrations by Lauren Castillo. The fun-loving play of boy and cat, the tender concern shown by the boy for his seemingly ill pet, and the melancholy of loss, are all captured in the expressive artwork. I appreciated the fact that the family depicted is "non-traditional" - just mom, boy and cat - and that they are (most likely) Latino. This last is particularly appealing, as so many of the classic "loss of a pet" books for children - The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, or I'll Always Love You - feature characters of European descent. Why doesn't it merit four stars, then, and why wouldn't I class it with those other books? Sadly, I think Partridge's rhyming scheme is rather clunky, and just doesn't read that well. The story idea is good, the emotional register rings true, and the illustrations are appealing. If you don't mind the rhyme, then this might be the book you're looking for. no reviews | add a review
Big Cat Pepper has always been part of the family, but after he grows very old and dies, the boy who loves him comes to understand his mother's reassurance that "his spirit is forever and can fly, fly, fly." No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)155.937Philosophy and Psychology Psychology Developmental And Differential Psychology Environmental psychology Influences of Traumatic Experiences and Bereavement Death and DyingLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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