My two for one picture book review today features two picture books from the same publisher to help children deal with some of life’s struggles. They are neither preachy nor didactic but approach real problems in a child friendly way. Each of them has qualities that lend themselves to opening discussion for a child dealing with that particular problem, for creating empathy for a friend who has the problem, or for laying the groundwork for the future when either grief or the blues strike, as they surely will.
Grandpa’s Window by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Udayana Lugo came out on March 14, 2023. Daria visits Grandpa in the hospital and loves that his window looks out on the beach. She plans with him about what they will do together when he is well. Even the youngest readers will sense that Grandpa is losing strength as time goes by. They will mourn with Daria when he dies and find comfort with her when she finds a way to honor his memory.
My Elephant Is Blue by Melinda Szymanik and illustrated by Vasanti Unka comes out next month on April 11, 2023 and is available now for preorder. A child, in first person, tells the story of her blue elephant that begins with it sitting on her chest. Humor, in the illustrations and the story, conveys ways of coping with real blues in a way that will appeal to children and open a door to discussion.
Since both books deal with real childhood issues, Flyaway Books offers helpful additional resources for both books that adults can use with children at flyawaybooks.com/resources.