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

Moods

So kids go through moods just like us.  The only difference is it is harder for kids to verbalize the mood they are feeling. As adults we have to do a lot of guess work and usually by the time we have figured out our child is in a bad mood they are kicking and screaming on the floor in the middle of Target.  Am I right?

Just like anything else, feelings and moods should be something we discuss and READ about with our kids.  Reading a book about feelings will give children an experience to relate to and maybe they will begin to recognize the moods they are in.  

One of my all time favorite books about moods is What are you so Grumpy About? by Tom Lichtenheld.  If you are grumpy when you start reading this book, you will be laughing by the time you finish.

This book goes through all the different reasons a kid might be grumpy.  Maybe you had to pick up your room.  Maybe all the kid cereal was gone and you had to eat grown up cereal.  Maybe all your clothes are in the laundry.  The book goes on and on, and what makes it so great is that the pictures are amazing!  The pictures make this book so funny and help make it a great read aloud.  My favorite pictures is for the page, "Did your brother or sister touch you?" The picture shows a giant finger and labels the cooties and germs going from one finger to the other.  Kids love anything that has to do with cooties!  The book ends with someone trying to cheer you up because you are so grumpy, and that is just what this book will do! You can use it to discuss grumpiness or to cheer up a grump! I know I could have used this book when I was younger because I was queen of the grumps!

What mood are you in today?  Do you have a favorite book about that mood?

Happy Reading!
Laura

Some famous grumps--

Grumpy the Dwarf

Grumpy Bear

Grumpy Cat

Oscar the Grouch