Synopses & Reviews
When Pearl comes home from school one day, her mother is waiting to tell her that her Grandpa has suddenly died, and Pearl is left wondering how she'll get along without him. Who will read her stories for as long as she wants? Who will plant marigold seeds every spring with her? During this difficult time, Pearl struggles to get through her daily routine and tries to remember her grandfather doing the things that made him so special to her. But as she plants her own marigolds, waters them and watches over their growth, her grief slowly begins to heal. In the end, Pearl finally discovers that there is a way to keep her grandfather alive -- by bringing life to marigolds planted in his memory. Built around the ritual of sitting shiva, this latest Pearl story shows the cycle of grief and mourning, and, finally, acceptance. Through this warm and beautifully illustrated story, Jane Breskin Zalben skillfully presents a sensitive issue to children in a simple and reassuring way. Information on burial and mourning customs from Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddism, Shintoism, and Hinduism is included in the backmatter.