Hans Wilhelm

A recent discussion in the Children's Books group I moderate has reminded me of this book, which - together with Judith Viorst's The Tenth Good Thing About Barney - is one of my top recommendations for those looking for books to help a child begin the grieving process for the loss of a pet.

"This is a story about Elfie - the best dog in the whole world" begins Hans Wilhelm's I'll Always Love You, in which a young boy and his beloved dachshund grow up together, only to be parted when Elfie show more grows old and dies. As he and his family begin to grieve, the narrator is comforted by the many wonderful adventures he had with Elfie, and by the fact that every day he told her: "I'll always love you."

With its simple but heartfelt narrative, and expressive (and often humorous) watercolor illustrations, this little picture book offers a sensitive portrayal of a child's love for his animal companion, and his grief at her loss. Young readers who are facing a similar situation will find comfort in Wilhelm's gentle story. Highly recommended. show less

Summary & show more Comments
「僕のようにイカした子供！」という高飛車な題名に目が留まり読んでみました。　何でも出来るしっかりした子と思われている主人公が本当は孤独を感じており、唯一甘えさせてくれるおばあちゃんからもらったテディベアが、両親から非難されながらも心の支えになるお話し。

自立と放任をはき違えている現代の子育ての中で、心を許せる人間の存在がその子にとっていかに大切かを考えさせられました。我が家は三世代同居で良かった・・。

Line or Phrase
Nobady is too old for teddy (bear).

number of words
550

Reading time
5min, show less

Some very stupid farm animals have some very wrong ideas of how and why the sun rises in the morning.

I suppose if you weren't an old grump who values intellect, this could be cute. My daughter thought so when she was four.

FOR REFERENCE:

Rated "Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod; rated "Good" by Adelia.

I Lost My Tooth by Hans Wilhelm is about a puppy who loses a tooth. He begins by showing his friends his loose tooth, then he tries to eat and it falls out. He then takes a picture of his mouth with the missing tooth and puts it under his pillow so the tooth fairy will come and give him treats.

This book is great to read to children who are at the age of having loose teeth. Losing teeth can be scary for a child, especially if it's their first one, so this book can show them that it's alright show more to lose a tooth, and that they might even be rewarded!

I think this book is adorable and wish I had had something like this to read when I had my first loose tooth. Instead, I had a family who threatened to tie a string to it and the other end to a door knob! show less