Loon Summer
by Barbara Santucci
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While spending the summer with her father, Rainie wishes her parents would stay together, just like the family of loons she sees on the lake.Tags
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Rainie's parents have recently separated, and she and her dad are spending the summer at the lake without her mom for the first time. Rainie feels sad that her family is changing, but as the summer progresses, she realizes that her parents' love for her has remained the same. This is a story about the complicated emotions children feel when their parents separate. I think that children with divorced/separated parents would relate to Rainie's character and feel reassured by her parents' unconditional love. Other children would be reminded that not all families look the same. The book is beautifully illustrated in a unique style that combines collage and water color painting. I would recommend this book for children in kindergarten show more through third grade. show less
Loon Summer tells us about the sad reality of a divorcee and what it does to the family. Rainie is the little girl who is out with her dad in their vacation house. As the daughter and father enjoy their time, Rainie notices a family of loons that stay together forever. She wants the same thing to happen between her mother and father. She recollects sweet memories of her mother when she was with them. As they pass by a bush of blueberries, Rainie reminds herself that when her mother was with her, she would make the blueberries into jam. In the story, Rainie wants to be like the loons and the fact that they stay together. The loons migrate as the Rainie and her father pack to leave. This story was very touching especially for children who show more come from divorced families. show less
I appreciated this book for the beautifully done illustrations, detailed coloring and the attention to detail in the depictions of the father and daughter. One of the things I also appreciate is the way that the author's ability to show that sometimes when we as kids ask questions and make comments that we can sometimes even stump our parents. I feel that this book is best suited for the child who is quiet and enjoys being alone and is very reflective.
This book was truly beautiful. It tells the story of a young girl named Rainie, who's parents are divorced. The girl spends the summer with her father and is upset that her parents aren't together. She finds it difficult to adjust to her family's changes. At the end of the story, the girl realizes that even if she isn't with both of her parents, they both love her very much. The story is very relatable and I love that the book has a positive message for children of divorced parents. I wouldn't read this to kids in a classroom due because it's an emotional story, especially for kids who may be going through the same situation.
The Bible doesn't encourage divorce, but it testifies to the painful reality of it. In our world today, divorce is a major problem. This problem painfully impacts children, and even Christian children. How are children to cope with the reality of a new divorce?
While I would hope that divorce would be rare in conservative Christian circles, I know it isn't. I never really thought about what to do with and how to help children affected by the problems of their parents before. I've been blessed to not have to think too carefully about this up until recently.
This book from Eerdmans is an attempt to help express the emotions and difficulties of a young girl who realizes family vacations aren't and won't be the same without having both her show more mom and dad with her. The dad and his daughter spend time together at the lake in their cabin. By the end of the book, the girl is more at peace with this new reality, she loves her dad, and her mom both. It's sad reading, but I think for older children recently impacted by divorce or even with the death of a parent, this book may help them cope and be a blessing.
From the book's description:
You can pick up a copy of this title at Amazon.com, or direct from Eerdmans Books. For this title, there is also a helpful, free discussion guide.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Eerdman Books for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. show less
While I would hope that divorce would be rare in conservative Christian circles, I know it isn't. I never really thought about what to do with and how to help children affected by the problems of their parents before. I've been blessed to not have to think too carefully about this up until recently.
This book from Eerdmans is an attempt to help express the emotions and difficulties of a young girl who realizes family vacations aren't and won't be the same without having both her show more mom and dad with her. The dad and his daughter spend time together at the lake in their cabin. By the end of the book, the girl is more at peace with this new reality, she loves her dad, and her mom both. It's sad reading, but I think for older children recently impacted by divorce or even with the death of a parent, this book may help them cope and be a blessing.
From the book's description:
My first morning on the lake I hear the loons.
"Oh-OOOO-oooo."
Their sad songs remind me that Mom isn't
coming to the cottage this summer.
Rainie knows that this summer will be different. As she and her dad do the things they've always done at the cottage, Rainie is painfully aware of her mom's absence. Throughout the summer Rainie watches a pair of loons on the lake—watches as they lay eggs, hatch babies, and are together as a loon family.
"My teacher says loons stay together for life. Why can't you and Mom?" she asks her dad.
Loon Summer is an authentic, hopeful story of a child adjusting to the difficult reality of changes in her own family. As summer progresses, Rainie grows in her trust and understanding of the unconditional love each of her parents will always have for her.
You can pick up a copy of this title at Amazon.com, or direct from Eerdmans Books. For this title, there is also a helpful, free discussion guide.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Eerdman Books for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. show less
This book is another representation of the inner struggles young children face when going through a divorce. This particular child is spending the summer with her father at their camp. Through her stories she begins to realize that this is her new "normal" and she needs to accept it for what it is. It may not be everything she had hoped for, but she also realizes that sometimes change isn't always bad.
Rainie parents are divorced. She spends the summer with her father, all the while thinking of her mother and her absence. Initially she dislikes the separation of her parents but later learns to cope and accept her new normal. She realizes that even though they are not together, their love for her is unconditional.
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