Maybe it’s stupid to love a cat so much , but she really is the only thing I can count on in my life . No matter what I thought or did , she never failed to cuddle next to me every night . On the nights I couldn’t stand myself , the nights I binged and purged and felt defeated and disappointed in myself , she was always there for me . In this world , you need a cat or a dog to experience unconditional love .
–Manic Kingdom: A True Story of Breakdown and Breakthrough by Dr. Erin Stair
Shark: You both need to stop arguing. It’s starting to really UPSET me…
Snake: Warning, schmorning! Do your worst, you dimwitted Hero wannabe!
Wolf: That’s it!
Shark: Don’t do it, Wolf.
Wolf: Too late!
MUNCH!
Snake: Let me out of here right now!
Marmalade: Hey! Did he just eat the snake?
Shark: Aw, I warned you, Wolf!
MUNCH!
Marmalade: And you just ate the wolf!
Wolf: Shark, what do you think you’re doing?! Spit me out!
Shark: No. Not until you can both learn to be friends.
–The Bad Guys (book 3) by Aaron Blabey
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Daddy hums to Marvin, but he couldn’t carry a tune if it came in a box. He’s wearing a Lakers jersey and no shirt underneath, revealing tattoos all over his arms. One of my baby photos smiles back at me, permanently etched on his arm with Something to live for, something to die for written beneath it. Seven and Sekani are on his other arm with the same words beneath them. Love letters in the simplest form.
–The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Happy Father’s Day!
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The first time I read this book to the children in my life, their reaction was a combination of fear and concern. I had to encourage them to read the story to the very end, so we could enjoy the happy ending.
The reason there was such a strong reaction is because the main character is Spike, a dog who is naturally so ugly he wins an ‘Ugliest Dog in the Universe Contest.’ Immediately after winning the contest, his owner ties Spike to the porch and moves away, leaving the dog behind. Not only does this awful man abandon the dog, he also gleeful shouts insults at the animal as he drives away.
Yeah, that guy is mean.
The neighbor boy starts caring for Spike and wants to adopt him. As it turns out, Spike is an extremely well-behaved dog, so the only objection the boy’s mother has is financial. They can’t afford a pet.
All of this is told, first person, by Spike. The pictures are lovely and there is nothing scary, violent or threatening about the images. The tension is created by the story itself. But the experience of being called names, forced out of a family or circle of friends and wanting to belong are easy for children to empathize with, and Spike is a genuinely nice and lovable dog who doesn’t deserve to be treated so badly. So, around this household, the reaction to the story was rather emotional during the first reading.
In the end, not only is he adopted by the neighbor boy, Spike also rescues the neighbor’s cat (a prize winning show cat) from a would-be kidnapper and is featured in the local newspaper as a hero dog, which is much better than being the ugly dog.
Spike is thrilled when people ask if Spike is the Ugliest Dog, and his new owners respond with:
“Actually, he’s the most beloved dog in the universe – and this is just the boy to take care of him.”
The happy ending is an excellent resolution and the story is equal parts sad, exciting and happy. After that first reading, this became a family favorite. It’s the kind of story kids like to hear because they know how it will end.
–Spike, the Ugliest Dog in the Universe by Debra Frasier
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“Saukerl,” she laughed, and as she held up her hand, she knew completely that he was simultaneously calling her a Saumensch. I think that’s as close to love as eleven-year-olds can get.
–The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Notes:
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A DEFINITION NOT FOUND IN THE DICTIONARY Not leaving: an act of trust and love, often deciphered by children.
–The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Note: This book is narrated by Death. The plot occurs during WWII. It is a very good book, with both humorous and serious aspects.
This book is a parable about Rhino, who survives a terrible storm that destroys his home and everything dear to him. Rhino swallows the storm down and must learn to deal with the feelings, and tears, in the aftermath. It’s a good story for all children, but will be particularly helpful to those going through a particularly difficult time.
Quote:
He understood now it was love that mattered. Love could never be lost. Love could never be shattered.
–The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, written by LeVar Burton and Susan Schaefer Bernardo, illustrated by Courtenay Fletcher
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“Put one foot in front of the other
Steppin into the here and now
I’m not sure just where I’m goin
but I will get there anyhow”
“I got this far with no direction
Followed my nose to where I stand
My heart’s still strong, I know I’ll make it
Sit right down in the promised land”
“People come and walk beside me, until our pathways do divide
Nothin much but love to give you, even less have I to hide”
Here and Now by Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott
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“Your soul is able
Death is all you cradle
Sleepin’ on the nails
There’s nowhere left to fall
You have admired
Every man desires
Everyone is king
When there’s no one left to pawn”“There is no peace here
War is never cheap dear
Love will never meet here
It just gets sold for parts
You cannot fight it
All the world denies it
Open up your eyelids
Let your demons run”
Beat The Devil’s Tattoo on Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
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“Who can tell what metals the gods use in forging the subtle bond which we call sympathy, which we might as well call love.”