The Dandelion's Tale

Death and grief are such hard topics for children. Children struggle to find words that convey the emotions they are feeling and often they are confused and wonder where their loved one is and what they are doing.  Books are always a great way to help children cope and begin to understand, especially books that tell stories.

In The Dandelion's Tale, Kevin Sheehan and Rob Dunlevey tell a beautiful story that will help children to understand that comfort can be found in memories.  

In The Dandelion's Tale Sparrow notices a dandelion crying, alone in the grass.  When asked why she is so sad she explains to Sparrow that she was once strong but now, even the slightest breeze will cause her to lose the rest of her seedpods and no one will know she was there.  Sparrow wanted to help the poor dandelion.  When the dandelion suggests that Sparrow fly her to the other dandelions so she can share her story he was willing to help but saw no other dandelions in sight.  The dandelion was disappointed because her one wish was to be remembered.  Sparrow was determined to help so he offered to write the dandelions story in a patch of dirt.  The dandelion happily told Sparrow everything she wanted to say.  Sparrow wrote how the dandelion loved looking at the white clouds against the blue sky and how she enjoyed hearing children laugh.  She went on and one about all she loved.  When she was finished the dandelion felt very happy and the Sparrow went home.  That night there was a terrible storm and when Sparrow went to check on the dandelion she was gone.  Sparrow was sad but then remembered the dandelion's story.  Sparrow flew over to the patch of dirt only to realize that the storm had washed the dandelion's story away.  Sparrow cried and promised to not forget the dandelion.  A few weeks later, as Sparrow was flying, he noticed a cluster of bright, yellow, baby dandelions.  He settled down in the grass and told them the dandelion's story, and he knew then that the dandelion would never be forgotten.  

I think that Sparrow and the dandelion can teach children that even though someone might be gone, we can remember them through their passions, their loves and especially through their stories.  Children can see hat when we talk about what hurts us or makes us sad, we might just feel better like Sparrow felt better when he sang a song about the dandelion.  From this one simple, yet beautiful story, we can all learn that it is our stories that impact others and keep us living on even after we have gone.  

Happy Reading, 

In Memory of Cheyenne.  Peace and Love Baby!

Laura

Are you busy in the garden?

It's springtime and in our family that means gardening time.  We are definitely busy in the garden tilling, weeding, watering and picking all so we can enjoy yummy, fresh veggies!

Picking strawberries

Our garden- just planted

If you don't have space for your own garden, check out some local community gardens.  in community gardens you can purchase a plot to garden yourself.  Many community gardens have garden managers who are able to answer any questions you might have about gardening.  Louisville has both Metro Government managed gardens as well as non-profit community gardens.  A few of the non-profit community gardens are Billy Goat Hill Garden, The Parklands and the St. Francis Center.  

Even if you don't have your own garden take advantage of those that do and visit your local Farmer's Market!  Here is a list of Farmer's Markets in the Louisville area.

If you aren't getting outside to garden and work in the yard- at least get outside for some read aloud time! Busy in the Garden by George Shannon is a super cute poem book all about springtime, flowers and gardening.  Each poem is rhyming and illustrated making this the perfect book for reading aloud.  He even has riddles about different plants/crops that might be found in the garden.  These poems are so fun they will bring out the green thumb in anyone!

Happy Reading (and gardening!)

Laura

Books Starring Moms

Since this weekend is all about moms here are some great kid books starring moms and their kiddos!

1) Just Me and My Mom by Mercer Mayer

You probably know the Little Critter series written by Mercer Mayer.  He has books about EVERYTHING in that series.  If you are looking for a book to teach your child about a certain topic, try checking out this series.  In Just Me and My Mom Little Critter and his mom take a trip into the city together- just the two of them.  They ride the train- Little Critter loses the tickets.  They go to the museum- Little Critter touches the exhibits.  They go to eat lunch at a nice restaurant- Little Critter brings his frog.  It is one problem after another for Little Critter and his mom.  Then on the way home Little Critter falls asleep in his mom's lap, making the trip with all its problems, worth it.

2) Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo

A little boy travels to the city to visit Nana.  To the little boy the city is big, scary and no place for a nana to live all by herself.  But then in true Nana fashion she knits the little boy a super hero cape and takes him out to show him all the fun they can have in the city.  With the help of Nana and his super hero cape the little boy realizes how EXTRAORDINARY the city is.  Leave it to Nana's to show their grandkids how to have a good time- no matter where they are! They are the true super heroes!

3) Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

We cannot leave Llama Llama and his mama off of this list of books starring moms and their kiddos!  Llama Llama and his mama are always learning lessons and figuring things out together.  From going grocery shopping together in Llama Llama Mad at Mama (see my post here) or saying good night in Llama Llama Red Pajama.  In Llama Llama Misses Mama Little Llama is off to his first day of school. He has to say goodbye to his mama and learn how to play and have fun with his new friends, all while missing his mama.  Then Little Llama learns that his mama will always come back to him and he can love his mama and school.

4) The Cuddle Book by Guido Van Genechten

Ask any kid who the best person to cuddle with is and I am pretty sure they will say their mom. The Cuddle Book by Guido Van Genechten proves this.  The cute illustrations show different animal mommies cuddling with their babies.  We learn that elephants cuddle with their trunks and that it is hard for crabs to cuddle.  The books ends with the very best cuddle- Mommy's cuddle!

I hope all you mommies out their find time this weekend to read and cuddle with your little (or big) kiddos!

Happy Reading!
Laura