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I thought I’d pass this information along in case parents, grandparents and others would find this list of interest for reference.  Some books deal with death of a family member or friend; others are about the death of a pet.

• Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest
• Love You, Soldier by Amy Hest
• Because of Winn Dixie
• Each Little Bird That Sings
• Sarah Plain and Tall
• The Higher Power of  Lucky
• Carolina Harmony
• Julia’s Kitchen
• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
• Blackberries in the Dark by Mavis Jukes, about a boy visiting his grandmother after the death of his grandfather
• Sun & Spoon by Kevin Henkes
• Saying Goodbye to Grandma by Jane Resh Thomas
• Some of Us Survived: The Story of an Armenian Boy by
  Kerop Bedoukian,  an eyewitness account of the Armenian Genocide
  written from the author’s point of view when he was 8 years old.
• The Road from Home by David Kherdian  is the true story how Kherdian’s mother and  family were annihilated and driven from their historic homeland during the Genocide.

Do you have any to suggest that you think are particularly good at helping youngsters…and adults?

Post from: Blisstree

Books for Youngsters About Death

Jan is a children’s author/illustrator whose art fascinates young and older.  Many of the primary grade teachers, in schools where I substitute teach, print off Jan’s coloring sheets, art hints, games and other activities.  There are even videos with drawing instruction.

Her mascot, Hedgie, the hedgehog, becomes involved in much of this and creates added fascination for the youngsters.

You also can subscribe to Hedgie’s free e-newsletter so that you receive updates and links to Hedgie and Jan’s projects.

Are any of you using Jan’s books and materials as a parent, home schooling parent or classroom teacher?

Post from: Blisstree

Discovering Jan Brett’s Kids’ Projects

 The recent announcement of Tasha Tudor’s death, at age 92, brought back memories of my meeting with her years ago.  Perhaps some of you have her enchantingly illustrated books, have read them yourself or to your children.

Apparently Tasha didn’t make many quilts, yet her lifestyle was condusive to it.  She was involved constantly in the crafts of days ago and lived her life midst them.  The cover of the book jacket on Tasha Tudor’s Heirloom Crafts, (at least the edition I have) consists of a photo of Tasha working on  a quilt in her rocking chair before the fireplace.

Within the book, there are more photos of Tasha with this quilt she called Yankee Pride.  It’s one she worked on for years and intended to finish “before I leave this earth.”  The photo reminds me of my grandmother sitting before the kitchen woodstove piecing quilts by hand.

Tea Party Memories

My memory consists, not of quilts, but of a tea party with Tasha, when I was an aspiring children’s author just out of college.  I studied her art and writing in a children’s literature class and was fascinated by her work.  When I had an opportunity to visit at her farmhouse in New Hampshire (the state where I’d moved after college graduation and marriage), I was thrilled.

We spent a quiet afternoon before her fireplace, where she made tea and toast and talked with me about writing.  I’d had nothing published yet, and she warned me it wasn’t easy, getting started as a children’s writer and illustrator. 

Over the years, I often thought of her and followed her career and move to Vermont.  She inspired me to continue as a children’s writer, although my career has branched in many directions.  I was pleased when a librarian remarked, upon seeing my illustrations in Tales of Adventure and Discovery, that their delicacy reminded her of Tasha Tudor. (I’d had my doubts that my drawing was very good.)

 I like to think that even though we hadn’t met in person again, Tasha Tudor continued inspiring me.  Now I see that she also was involved in quiltmaking midst her other crafts of yesteryear.

Tasha Tudor’s Heirloom Crafts was written by Tovah Martin with photographs by Richard W. Brown.

Additional information about Tasha Tudor:

http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/news.html

(Amazon image; click on cover for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Tasha Tudor & the Yankee Pride Quilt