Alice keeps a perfectly round skipping stone in her pocket to remember her grandfather by — but the stone goes missing.
It looked just like a regular stone, but Alice knew it was different: It was perfectly round so you could use it to trace circles, and sometimes she could trick her dad into thinking it was a quarter. It was also how Alice remembered her grandpa, who taught her how to skip stones, and who passed away last winter.
Alice brings the stone to school for Show and Share, but when her classmate asks to see it again at recess, Alice discovers that the stone is gone! Her friends search high and low and can’t find the stone—but their friendship gives Alice an idea of another way that she can remember.
A gentle look at loss, grief, and how small everyday actions can connect us to those we love.
Key Text Features
Illustrations
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
Alice keeps a perfectly round skipping stone in her pocket to remember her grandfather by — but the stone goes missing.
It looked just like a regular stone, but Alice knew it was different: It was perfectly round so you could use it to trace circles, and sometimes she could trick her dad into thinking it was a quarter. It was also how Alice remembered her grandpa, who taught her how to skip stones, and who passed away last winter.
Alice brings the stone to school for Show and Share, but when her classmate asks to see it again at recess, Alice discovers that the stone is gone! Her friends search high and low and can’t find the stone—but their friendship gives Alice an idea of another way that she can remember.
A gentle look at loss, grief, and how small everyday actions can connect us to those we love.
Key Text Features
Illustrations
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Mar 7, 2023 |
| Specifications | 40 pages | 8.5 in x 10 in |
| Keywords | child's perspective; mementos; memories; keepsakes; keepsakes; school story; small gestures; supportive friends; children and parents; anxiety; emotions; moods and feelings; helping others; overcoming anxiety; The Funeral; When I Found Grandma; Last Week; |
| Written By |
CAREY SOOKOCHEFF is the author and illustrator of Lost Things, Wet, and Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems. She is also the illustrator of the Buddy and Earl series, written by Maureen Fergus. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her family and her dog, Rosie. |
| Illustrated by |
CAREY SOOKOCHEFF is the author and illustrator of Lost Things, Wet, and Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems. She is also the illustrator of the Buddy and Earl series, written by Maureen Fergus. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her family and her dog, Rosie. |
| Written By |
|
CAREY SOOKOCHEFF is the author and illustrator of Lost Things, Wet, and Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems. She is also the illustrator of the Buddy and Earl series, written by Maureen Fergus. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her family and her dog, Rosie. |
| Illustrated by |
|
CAREY SOOKOCHEFF is the author and illustrator of Lost Things, Wet, and Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems. She is also the illustrator of the Buddy and Earl series, written by Maureen Fergus. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her family and her dog, Rosie. |
| Audience | ages 3 and up / grades P and up |
| Key Text Features | illustrations |
| Common Core | CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3 |
Sookocheff’s calming story offers a powerful reminder about what we carry when we miss someone.
” —New York TimesSweet support during loss.
” —KirkusChildhood grief is handled gently here and human connections are celebrated.
” —School Library JournalA quiet, hopeful story.
” —Publishers WeeklyIllustrated with muted colors in blues, greens, and grays, listeners will be able to understand the message that it's the little things that help connect us to family and friends.
” —School Library ConnectionThis is a touching story about remembering those we have loved and lost. … Carey Sookocheff's latest picture book reminds us of the opportunities that await us on the other side of sadness.
” —Canadian Children’s Book NewsA quiet story about a child’s personal journey through grief.
” —CM: Canadian Review of MaterialsA gentle picture book for early readers.
” —Winnipeg Free Press