The Rough Patch
by Brian Lies
--2018
--Fox and his dog do everything together. Dog's death is sudden (unexplained), Fox is angry. Abandons their favorite place--the garden. Pumpkin vine sneaks in, he cares for it, wins a prize at the fair--new puppy!
--Very understandable emotions
--creative, colorful illustrations!
--could easily lead to great discussions
--no religion
by Brian Lies
--2018
--Fox and his dog do everything together. Dog's death is sudden (unexplained), Fox is angry. Abandons their favorite place--the garden. Pumpkin vine sneaks in, he cares for it, wins a prize at the fair--new puppy!
--Very understandable emotions
--creative, colorful illustrations!
--could easily lead to great discussions
--no religion
Jasper's Day
by Marjorie Blain Parker
-beautiful illustrations
-quite a bit of text to read
-boy is spending last day with Jasper before he is put down because of cancer/age\
-very emotional
-no religion
-parents very involved, sympathetic
-says day was very hard but good
-2002
by Marjorie Blain Parker
-beautiful illustrations
-quite a bit of text to read
-boy is spending last day with Jasper before he is put down because of cancer/age\
-very emotional
-no religion
-parents very involved, sympathetic
-says day was very hard but good
-2002
-Saying Goodbye to Lulu
by Corrine Demas
-if you get emotional with the dog books, this one is a killer
-portrays real life problems of older dogs, such as limited mobility and incontinence
-large, beautiful illustrations
-realistic reactions of children to loss
-great parallels between beginning and end of life
-2004
by Corrine Demas
-if you get emotional with the dog books, this one is a killer
-portrays real life problems of older dogs, such as limited mobility and incontinence
-large, beautiful illustrations
-realistic reactions of children to loss
-great parallels between beginning and end of life
-2004
A Dog Like Jack
by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan
-Jack is adopted from shelter at older age
-He and his boy have wonderful times together--obvious love for each other
-Jack ages--slower, less energy
-explains that people live longer than dogs
-Jack's ashes are buried in his favorite spot--the beach
-no religion
-don't rush to shelter for another dog
-author note explaining the process of
losing a pet
-1999
by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan
-Jack is adopted from shelter at older age
-He and his boy have wonderful times together--obvious love for each other
-Jack ages--slower, less energy
-explains that people live longer than dogs
-Jack's ashes are buried in his favorite spot--the beach
-no religion
-don't rush to shelter for another dog
-author note explaining the process of
losing a pet
-1999
I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm
-you will cry with this book
-shows lifetime of the dog
-good descriptions of dog getting older
-boy is glad he told her he loved her daily
-no new pet yet
-no religion
-1985
-you will cry with this book
-shows lifetime of the dog
-good descriptions of dog getting older
-boy is glad he told her he loved her daily
-no new pet yet
-no religion
-1985
I Remember
by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
-good explanation of circle of life
-death is natural, the end of a good life
-receives a new puppy at the end
-fond memories of his "best friend"
-age appropriate vocabulary
-no religion
-2005
by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
-good explanation of circle of life
-death is natural, the end of a good life
-receives a new puppy at the end
-fond memories of his "best friend"
-age appropriate vocabulary
-no religion
-2005
The Forever Dog
by Bill Cochran
-a classic boy and dog story
-great bonding time over the years
-dog gets sick, dies at vet's office
-boy is angry at first
-realizes forever can be in his heart
-great illustrations
-child-like font, language
-no religion
-2007
by Bill Cochran
-a classic boy and dog story
-great bonding time over the years
-dog gets sick, dies at vet's office
-boy is angry at first
-realizes forever can be in his heart
-great illustrations
-child-like font, language
-no religion
-2007
Goodbye Mousie
by Robie H. Harris
-realistic reaction of anger and sadness
-Mousie dies of old age
-great illustrations of an angry and sad child
-both parents comfort the child
-great effort goes into the burial box
-does not rush for another mouse
-no religion
-2001
by Robie H. Harris
-realistic reaction of anger and sadness
-Mousie dies of old age
-great illustrations of an angry and sad child
-both parents comfort the child
-great effort goes into the burial box
-does not rush for another mouse
-no religion
-2001
The Best Cat in the World
by Leslea Newman
-Victor's old cat dies
-he's very upset, cries, mopes, natural reaction
-vet calls, kitten needs a home
-New cat is compared to Charlie, the old cat
-Kitten does things differently, but they bond
-beautiful color illustrations
-2004
by Leslea Newman
-Victor's old cat dies
-he's very upset, cries, mopes, natural reaction
-vet calls, kitten needs a home
-New cat is compared to Charlie, the old cat
-Kitten does things differently, but they bond
-beautiful color illustrations
-2004
Dog Heaven
by Cynthia Rylant
--extremely simplistic artwork
--describes Heaven for dogs as
wonderful place, perfect for
dogs.
--1995
--language is good, artwork is lacking
--no religion, but mentions God and angels
--Dogs can come back and check on us
--will be waiting when we get there
--unemotional, so safe for all to read
--companion book is Cat Heaven, same elements
The Tenth Good Thing about Barney
by Judith Viorst
-often considered a classic
-begins with cat is already dead
-small b/w illustrations may not grab kids today
-family has funeral, says 9 good things about the cat
-argue about cat being in Heaven or the ground
-adults verify that death is sad
-Heaven is a possibility
-10th thing is that he is helping grow flowers now--not overly comforting.
-1971
by Judith Viorst
-often considered a classic
-begins with cat is already dead
-small b/w illustrations may not grab kids today
-family has funeral, says 9 good things about the cat
-argue about cat being in Heaven or the ground
-adults verify that death is sad
-Heaven is a possibility
-10th thing is that he is helping grow flowers now--not overly comforting.
-1971
The Black Dog who went into the Woods
by Edith Thacher Hurd
-muted colors
-odd way of addressing each other in the family
-dog was named "black dog" by the youngest child
-dog disappears, is never found
-family tries to accept her death, hard to do
-one moonlit night, she comes in dreams to say goodbye to each family member.
-1980
by Edith Thacher Hurd
-muted colors
-odd way of addressing each other in the family
-dog was named "black dog" by the youngest child
-dog disappears, is never found
-family tries to accept her death, hard to do
-one moonlit night, she comes in dreams to say goodbye to each family member.
-1980