Remembering Crystal

by Sebastian Loth

Book Overview

A beautifully written and illustrated book that introduces a big subject to little ones Crystal had lived in the garden for many years. She was growing old. Zelda was just starting out in life. They... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0735823006
• ISBN13: 9780735823006
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Northsouth Books
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.6" x 6.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

a wonderful little book

a lovely, tender story about loss, grief, and (in time) the acceptance of death. the character in the story has had a long and happy life and dies when she is very old. while this story could be very helpful and comforting to a child who has lost a grandparent, an older pet, or an elderly neighbor or relative i would not suggest this book for children coping with the loss of a parent, sibbling or young person, or the death of a young pet.

This is a gentle and well done story about the death of a special friend and the grieving process th

Zelda, a goose, got on her scooter to go visit her friend Crystal, a very old turtle. They were best friends and did everything together. They loved to read stories like "The Pancake Affair." Crystal would hold the pages while Zelda read to her. They both put on their goggles and flippers and swam. Of course Crystal had four flippers while Zelda had only two. They did things like get out a map and "took trips together." They were best friends who shared and talked about everything together because that is what friends do together. One day when Zelda went to the garden, there were only a few leaves flitting around the cabbages, but no Crystal. Three other geese gently tried to tell Zelda what happened, but she wouldn't listen. "She had a long and happy life. Now it was time for her to die." Zelda refused to listen to them and simply thought her friend was hiding. She called to her and began to search any of the places Crystal could have gone for "the highest mountain" to the "deepest ocean." She looked everywhere she thought her best friend could be, but couldn't find her. Would Zelda ever accept the fact that Crystal had died? This is a gentle and well done story about the death of a special friend and the grieving process that followed. Many children need an opportunity to discuss the death of a pet, a friend, or relative and this book is an excellent way to broach the inescapable fact of death. Death is a difficult subject to discuss with a child, but they do need to understand what goes on. The book was very tasteful and may hold some comfort for a young child. The artwork was beautiful and expressive. If you need to discuss this difficult fact of life to a young child, this is one book you may wish to consider.

Very well done children's book about death and grief

Very sweet and poignant book that talks about death, loss and grief, appropriate for young children. I could see how this book might help little kids cope with complex topics, whether its a pet's death or a family member. The illustrations are adorable and comforting, and the lessons are clear without introducing any specific faith-based details.