Annette Aubrey

Andrew loses his grandfather at a very young age. The lose is felt throughout the entire family, including Andrew. His parents take the time to discuss and explain to him the importance of keeping someone who you love and dies 'in your heart.' Andrew realizes that his grandfathers memory will always be with him.
I love this book. Annett Aubrey had the courage to write about a subject that at times can be hard to explain to children of Andrew's age in beautiful illustrations and simple words. show more Aubrey exquisite ability to express sorrow, death and happiness comes across to not only the mature reader but a new beginning reader.
In the classroom, I would ask students to reminicse on some family members that have passed and would ask them to write some of the things that they remember them by. Then have them share their experiences and memories. As another extension, I would ask the children make portraits of their loved ones who have deceased, then place a memory board, maybe on Veterans Day.etc... show less

Summary: This book focuses on losing someone you love. The boy in the books’ name is Andrew. Andrew loses his grandfather, at a very young age. Andrew is unsure of how to cope with losing his grandfather and how to deal with his feelings of emptiness. Andrew’s parents help to by explaining that when someone you love dies they will always be with you in their heart. Andrew realizes that by remembering the special things that his grandpa taught him he will have him in his heart.

Personal show more Reflection: I loved that someone took the time to write such a good book about dealing with a loved ones’ death. The death of a loved one can be very difficult for a young child to experience. The book does a great job explaining to children how to cope with their loss. Children are able to see how the character in the book reacts and how he is able to cope with remembering the good times he spent with his grandfather.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1) Have children write about losing someone (animal or family member) close to them.
2) Have children draw a picture of something someone close to them has taught them. show less

Andrew did not want to go home from school because it was a sad time since his grandpa died. His family let him talk about it, be sad, and then showed him how to turn his sadness into happiness.

This book showed that being sad and talking about the person you lost healthy. It took me through the stages of the healing process, something I never had to go through, but opened my eyes that it is okay to talk about it.

I do not think I would use this in the classroom directly, but more on a show more personal level with a child that is in the situation. show less

Summary:
At the start of his day, Johnathon learns that his daddy is "going away". It takes a while for this to understand that his parents are getting divorced. He starts blaming himself and feeling really sad about the situation. His parents comfort him by letting him know that they both will always love him.

Personal Reaction:
This book is absolutely heartbreaking and really gives you an understanding of the way children feel when stuck in the middle of a divorce. This is very real to some show more of the children in your classroom. This is not a book I would read out loud but I would send it home privately with a child to read with their parents.

Classroom Extension:
1. I would send this home with a family to read and discuss together rather than in the classroom.

2. With the parents permission, I would give this book to a student to read and suggest maybe writing in a journal or writing a letter to their parents to explain their thoughts and feelings of the situation they are facing. show less