FICTION

Always By My Side

by Susan KERNER
illus. by Ian P. Benfold Haywood. 32p. Star Bright. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781595723369; pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781595723376. LC 2012019398.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 2—In this story about living with the loss of a father, children of various ethnicities are shown doing everyday activities while the narrator reassures them that their father is always with them even though he has passed on. He's in leaves, barking dogs, gestures, and more, watching them grow and protecting them. Some images are active (e.g., a girl frolicking down a hill of wildflowers), while others dwell on quieter moments, such as a child brushing her teeth before bed or a youngster in a loving embrace with her mother. While the narrative remains gentle throughout, the rich illustrations in lively patterns balance out the somber tone. Both the words and the images acknowledge how life goes on even in grief and that tiny and big moments alike can be full of memories and meaning.—Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Reviewed by Jennifer Miskec , Jan 01, 2014

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