" Pumpkin and Me" - a bookwrap

 

Unwrapping

Pumpkin and Me

by Alicia Acosta, 

Mercè Galí (Illustrator)

Specs

* Reading Age:  4-8 years

* Grade Level:  PS-3

* Hardcover:  40 pages

* Publisher:  NubeOcho Publication

* Pub. Date:  April 19, 2022

* ISBN-10:  841767392X

* ISBN-13:  978-8417673925

* Language: English

Editorial Reviews 

Available in English and Spanish, the sketched illustrations and washes of watercolor in Pumpkin and Me follow a young girl as she grieves the loss of a beloved pet. After her dog, Pumpkin, dies, a dark cloud starts following the girl, growing larger every day; she feels as though she has soap in her eyes and an octopus squeezing her chest. In time, however, she discovers that the memories that make her sad have the power to bring her joy again, too - Foreword Reviews

Pumpkin and Me is a book about the special relationship between humans and dogs and the grief we feel when they are gone. This book does an excellent job of exploring grief in an accessible way. It will help all of us better understand why grief is necessary and that we all go through it. - NetGalley- Educator

Unwrapping Some Illustrations 

The Book

This is a lovely story that deals with loss, grief and controlling emotions during this sad time.  A little girl is the owner of a dog named Pumpkin.  He is old and very tired.  One day he looks at her, wags his tail, closes his eyes and dies.  Everyone in the family is devastated.  

Soon after strange things begin to happen to the little girl.  A dark black cloud forms and hangs over her head.  It hangs so low she can hardly lift up her chin.  Her eyes begin to cry so vehemently that it feels she has soap in her eyes... and the worst feeling she experiences?  She feels like an octopus has wrapped itself around her heart and squeezes so much it hurts.  Oh my!  What is happening to her? 

Her mom,  dad and grandma reassure her that those feelings are normal, although very painful, and they appear when you lose someone you love very much.   The little girl listens to their consoling advice and things begin to change.  She now focuses on how lucky she is to have had Pumpkin as her pet dog and she remembers all the good times they shared together.  One night Pumpkin magically visits her in a dream and she comes to the realization that he will always be with her... in her memories and in her heart.  

This book is a lovely way to discuss how to handle the emotions associated with the death of a dear loved one.  The illustrations are simple and very kid-friendly.  "Pumpkin and Me" will be very relatable if your child ( and your entire family ) have experienced the loss of a beloved  pet family member.  I love the book and highly recommend it. 

Storywraps Rating - 5 HUGS! 

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Meet the Author

Alicia Acosta is a professional storyteller from Andalusia (Spain). She works with groups of children in schools and on behalf of government organizations, combining her background as a psychologist and her love of literature to promote a love of reading in children.

About the Illustrator

Mercè Galí is an illustrator from Barcelona. She grew up surrounded by stories in her parents' bookstore. She studied illustration and Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona, specializing in engraving. She is mainly illustrates children's books and works with publishing houses in various different countries. Her books have been awarded best Toddler books at the Bologna Fair and her project ‘Petit Indi’ was a finalist in the Silent Book competition.

In her own words:  "I grew up surrounded by poetry and storybooks at my parent’s bookshop, in Gràcia neighbourhood, in Barcelona. The book store became a hiding place where to devour pictures in silence.

Drawing has always been my personal way to express myself. Spontaneous trace, painting stains, collage, photography, playing with fate is what interests me the most, as well as pursuing the maximum expressivity through simplicity. I appreciate the sense of humour and I do my best to take imagination one stage further from the text so as to make the reader smile with complicity."

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