Always and Forever

This is a lovely story based on a delightful friendship between a few animal friends - fox, mole, hare, and otter. Always and Forever was a story told in third-person, which helped the reader understand how all of the characters felt about the events that happened.If the story was written in anything other than third-person, I would not have enjoyed it. I feel as if it was important to understand every character as a whole and no character more than the other. The friends all lived together in a house full of laughter until one day fox grew ill and passed away. Mole, hare, and otter were so upset they became depressed and forgot what life was all about. Their friend Squirrel came by and reminded them that life must go on. Eventually, show more they picked themselves up and began to get back into their groove and they understood that Fox would always be with them. I enjoyed this book because although it is based on losing a friend, it is also about gaining knowledge from the loss. This is a great story to pick out if you want to speak about death in a gentle way to children. One thing that stood out to me the most is the title of the book, "Always and forever". I liked that the only time those words were seen was on the very last page that leaves a positive gentle ending - "Fox was still there, part of their family, beloved friend and companion- always and forever". I also admired the illustration in the book and how the trees conveyed the gloominess the characters felt, and when they began to feel better the trees also came back to life. show less

This is a touching story about coping with the death of a loved one. Otter, Mole, Fox, and Hare were all family who lived together in a house in a woods. Fox, the family member who worked the hardest out of all, left to go into the woods one day and never returned. Otter, Mole, and Hare found fox deceased in the woods. After they said goodbye to Fox, Otter, Mole, and Hare were all depressed for a long while, until their friend Squirrel had arrived, and they all reminisced on their memories with Fox. Eventually, they came to the realization that they can move forward with Fox in their hearts. I really liked how this book used animals instead of humans in this story, in order to make it more age appropriate for young children. It also show more provides some insight for young students about how animals and humans both pass on at some point on their lives for many reasons. This book can be relatable to students who have lost a friend or family member. show less

This was a truly heart wrenching book of grieving the loss of a dear friend. I wasn't expecting a story of this nature when I opened the cover, but lo and behold that's what I got. It was well written, beautifully illustrated and very personal. It brought to mind deaths that I've experienced in my own life. It was difficult to take, but handled the situation with such delicate honesty that it made the experience joyful and celebratory rather than depressing.

A book aimed at young children but could appeal to any age. When Fox dies the rest of his family are absolutely distraught. How will Mole, Otter and Hare go on without their beloved friend? But, months later, Squirrel reminds them all of how funny Fox used to be, and they realise that Fox is still there in their hearts and memories. Many small children will be faced with the death of someone they love and this charming picture story might help them to come to terms with it

Durant's book about dealing with death is very touching. In the story, Fox died and his friends and family are devastated at this loss. They do not know how to live life without him. When at a low point, the squirrel goes to visit Fox's family and they talk about the funny things that he used to do which lifts their spirits. Children can connect to this book with the same experiences. Dealing with a death in the family can be very hard but this book is a great reminder that when you are down, think of all the things that that person has done that is great. When one remembers the good memories with their loved one, they should feel comfort that their spirit lives with them and are surrounded by them in great light.

Fox, Mole, Hare, and Otter lived together in a house in the woods. One day Fox felt ill, and the he went into the forest alone he did not return. His family found him lying, cold. They carried him home and buried him under the willow tree. Sadness fell over Mole, Hare and Otter. One day their friend Squirrel visits and asks where they have ben. They all reply they have been too sad about Fox to leave the house. Squirrel begins to reminisce about the time Fox burned the potato pie, tries to build a chair, and pull the weeds. Mole, Hare, and Fox decided to plant a garden and build a bench underneath the willow, and cook potato pie once a month in memory of Fox. Although Fox was gone, they knew, in their hearts, memories, and laughter Fox show more was still there, always and forever.
The authors story about Mole, Hare, and Otter losing their friend, and learning to cope, may help child who is experiencing the same kind of loss. The story acknowledges the death of Fox and the sadness that have overcome his friends after his passing. However, through remembering all of the good and funny times with Fox, his friends learn how to cope by doing things in his memory. Similarly, a child could also learn to cope in this way.
The illustrations help on the story through the change of seasons. On the first page where Fox, Hare, Mole and Otter ar living together as a happy family, it is summer in the forest. one tree is full of green leaves, flowers are in bloom, and they are all in hats. Then when Fox becomes ill and dies, its is autumn in the first, The leaves are turning colors and covering the ground, and Fox. AS they bury Fox it turns to winter with snow covering the ground. When Squirrel visits and they begin to feel better the snow begins to melt. At the end of the story when they are all gathered under the willow, near the garden, sitting on the bench it is now spring in the garden. As the moods of Hare, Otter, and Mole change, the seasons change from cole winter to warm spring. Therefore, the colors on the pages also change from cool and dreary to bright and cheerful. show less

I liked this read a lot. I think this book will be a good read for children who may have lost a family member or friend. The book takes you through the death of fox. Mole, Hare, and Otter find their friend fox dead and cold in the story. They struggle with depression after foxes death. However, in the story the characters eventually realizes that fox can live through them by doing the things fox enjoyed.

This book is written in third person point of view.

I like how this book progressed in the story from page to page. This book was a really good read.

The characters perspective changes as the book develops. The characters become more understanding of their situations.