16 Apr / Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson
The latest in what has become practically a franchise – Audrey Penn‘s Kissing Hand series – deals with an extremely difficult subject … death.
Chester comes home one day from school and tells his mother that Skiddil Squirrel had an accident and won’t be coming back. He doesn’t understand the word “accident” and he certainly doesn’t know what it means that his friend has died. What he knows is that old Mr. Beaver’s “heart quit beating and his body didn’t work anymore.” And that, Chester’s mother gently explains, is what has happened to his young friend.
Death turns out to be “‘one of those questions no forest can answer,'” Chester’s mother says. Instead of focusing on the ‘why,’ she suggests that Chester “‘make a memory'” of his lost friend. They head down to the butterfly pond, Skiddle Squirrel’s favorite place to play, and meet more friends along the way. Together, the friends share their memories, remembering both their happy and silly times together.
One particular story about Skiddle Squirrel’s lost acorns literally comes to life when Chester realizes that the brand new trees by the pond are actually Skiddle Squirrel trees: “”The forest made a Skiddle Squirrel memory!” Chester rejoices. With a special acorn in hand, Chester knows that he will never forget his dear lost friend.
Confronting one of life’s most difficult lessons head on, Penn helps young reader find concrete ways to remember and rejoice in their lost loved ones. We old folks could take a few pointers from Chester and his friends. We all need gentle reminders to ease our sadness … and remember with butterfly kisses and lightened hearts.
Readers: Children
Published: 2009