Book dedications

** ALSO posted at Eli's blog - www.eli-eli.oh.blogspot.com

Since I changed school districts, I've had the opportunity to dedicate books in memory of loved ones to the school library. Through the loss of some friends and relatives, there are now several books bearing their names in the regular circulation at school. The hope is that a book is chosen that bears some part of the person now gone.

This year, we've lost my Grandma, my Uncle Leo, my Dad, and also my Aunt Vivian. I have chosen a book for everyone but Aunt Vivian. I hope to do that in January so there will be a book bearing her name, too.

For my Grandma, I chose a book about a Grandmother and her granddaughter - and their quilt. It is called The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy. Here's a brief summary: Tanya's grandmother had begun to make a patchwork quilt using scraps from old shirts, Halloween costumes, and any other materials that had meaning to them. Tanya was so interested in how her grandmother so carefully cut pieces of material and sewed them together so she spent much of her time watching and helping her grandmother produce this "masterpiece." On Christmas morning, Grandma becomes sick and is no longer able to work on finishing the quilt. With the help of her mother, Tanya takes it upon herself to help finish the quilt for her grandmother. Finally, when Grandma is able to begin working on the quilt again, she finishes it by stitching on the last square, which reads, "For Tanya From your Mama and Grandma."

For my Uncle Leo, I chose a book about a joking rabbit called
bad hare day by Miriam Moss. Uncle Leo always had a great story or anecdote to share and this story reminds me of something he would tell.

For my Dad, I chose a book called If You Listen by Charlotte Zolotow. It is a story for children who have suffered the loss of a parent or someone they love through distance, divorce or death. The little girl's father had been gone for a long time. She asks her mother how you know if someone far away is loving you. "You have to listen inside yourself," her mother said, "just the way you strain to hear the dog barking in the hills, or the rustle of birds in the leaves of the trees. If you listen hard you'll feel someone far away sending love to you."

Recently, I've also enjoyed a book called Tear Soup by Pat Sweibert and Chuck DeKlyen. The story is about "Grandy," but she could just as easily be me or you, and Grandy has suffered a loss, so Grandy begins to make tear soup. Tear soup cannot be made just out of a can, but is an individual process, as unique as each chef; and only through the soup making can we fully heal and move on. Since receiving this book myself, I've bought several copies to share. It is a beautiful story and has beautiful illustrations.

I'm hoping these tributes will be meaningful as time passes. Blessings to you!