Title The Scar
Charlotte Moundlic (author)
Olivier Tallec (illustrator)
Candlewick Press, 2011
Suitable For:
5-16 years old
Themes/Topics:
death, love
Opening:
"Mom died this morning.
It wasn't really this morning.
Dad said she died during the night,
but I was sleeping during the night.
For me, she died this morning."
Brief Synopsis: When
the boy in this story wakes to find that his mother has died, he is overwhelmed
with sadness, anger, and fear that he will forget her. He shuts all the windows
to keep in his mother’s familiar smell and scratches open the cut on his knee
to remember her comforting voice. He doesn’t know how to speak to his dad
anymore, and when Grandma visits and throws open the windows, it’s more than
the boy can take—until his grandmother shows him another way to feel that his
mom’s love is near.
Links To Resources
and ideas for use in the classroom:
There were many
resources about talking with children, but I could find no activities. So I
thought of a few…
- Create a collage of things that remind the child of his/parent
- Choose a special piece of the parent’s clothing and make it into a pillow
- Help the child write a letter to the parent and send it off with a balloon
Why I Like This
Book:
I still have both my parents. My children still have both of theirs.
My brother turns 45 on May 24 and is having a stem cell transplant next month to help him fight cancer. He is the single father of two children 10 and 15. I am bereft, so I cannot imagine what he and his children must be feeling. I am so grateful that Charlotte Moundlic had the courage and the skill to create this masterpiece. Thank God for Picture Books.
Susanna Hill's Picture Perfect Book FridayI still have both my parents. My children still have both of theirs.
My brother turns 45 on May 24 and is having a stem cell transplant next month to help him fight cancer. He is the single father of two children 10 and 15. I am bereft, so I cannot imagine what he and his children must be feeling. I am so grateful that Charlotte Moundlic had the courage and the skill to create this masterpiece. Thank God for Picture Books.
Oh how sad, I'm sorry to hear about your brother. That is really tough.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds sad. It is always sad when a non-immediate family/relative dies, and when an immediate family member dies, it's even worse. :( I would like to see how the boy deals with this. Books like this are important.
ReplyDeleteThanks for finding and sharing this one Kimberly. I agree with Erik, these types of books are very important. So sorry to hear about your brother.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this book, Kimberley. It is such an important one. I actually mentioned it in my Monday post about difficult topics in PBs - I can't believe you thought of it the same week. I found this book very raw and real, and incredibly powerful. I don't think it's a book I'd ever share with a child who hadn't lost a parent because it's painful. But for a child who is grieving and needs to feel understood, it is absolutely wonderful, and I also applaud Charlotte Moundik for writing it. So sorry about your brother. I can't imagine how hard that must be. I hope the stem cell transplant is a huge success.
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes. It would be such a helpful book for kids who are bewildered and grieving. The activities you suggest are spot-on.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you as your brother faces the stem cell transplant. May all be well.
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, and I hope his procedure goes well. I cannot even imagine what you and his kids must be going through.
ReplyDeleteI love this book because while there seem to be some books that address death in general, I've never seen one that hits on the death of a parent head-on. I think it would even be good for kids with both parents to read to promote empathy and understanding - especially when they start worrying about or asking questions about death. Thank you for sharing.
I am sorry that your brother and his family are going thorough such a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you added this book. It is good to know about books such as this when a child experiences loss. I am going to add it to my list to read.
Just reading this makes me sad...Prayers for your brother and family. Thank you for sharing this important book. :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Great book choice, Kimberley.
ReplyDeleteLove and best wishes to you and your brother.
Barbara
Grade ONEderful
What a special book. I'm sorry to hear about your brother. Blessings to you both.
ReplyDeleteTammy
forever in first
Oh, Kimberley, sending thoughts and prayers for your brother and his kids, as well as you. Thank you for sharing this amazing book. It's so helpful to have books like these on our list for difficult times.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful book, looks like a must have. So sorry about your brother, prayers to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHave not seen this book. I love it! Powerful grief book. I have some I'm going to be sharing, would have liked to have known about this one. Thanks. Will have to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever seen this book. I wish I had - last year I had a student whose mom passed away. Poor baby.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your brother. May God bless him and the rest of your family.
Buzzing with Ms. B
This sounds like a beautiful book. Reading your review made me misty. Best wishes and prayers for your brother and his children.
ReplyDeletesandi
rubber boots and elf shoes
Yes, thank God for picture books. They help us address sensitive topics with young children.
ReplyDeleteYour review was masterful...this is a book every parent, teacher and library needs to keep on the shelf.
I join with all of the others in sending prayers of healing for your brother and prayers of strength for you and his children.
Amen...Well said. I have lost both of my parents to cancer and this week said goodbye to my husband's best friend and cousin...cancer. He leaves behind three daughters and a wife. I will pray for your brother and his children.
ReplyDeleteJenny
Owl Things First
What an amazing story. I'm definitely going to check out this book! Thoughts and prayers for healing and peace for your brother and family.
ReplyDeleteRachel
A-B-Seymour
I'm sorry to hear about your brother, but it shows the need for such books. The opening hooked me. I think books like this are important. Thank you for adding it to the list.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this book. I hope your brother has a successful treatment.
ReplyDeleteMust have missed this when you first posted. Heard about this book through the TeacherWrite group. Sounds like a heartfelt, poignant story. The lines and synopsis grabbed me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing it. I hope the treatment was a success. Prayers to you and your family.