The Thing About Love
Linda Ashman, Author
Kristina Jones, Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, Aug. 20, 2024
Suitable for ages: 5-9
Themes: Boy, Dog, Best friends, Love, Memory, Loss, Grief
Linda Ashman, Author
Kristina Jones, Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, Aug. 20, 2024
Suitable for ages: 5-9
Themes: Boy, Dog, Best friends, Love, Memory, Loss, Grief
Opening: “The thing about love is it can happen in an instant. You meet someone and – boom! – that’s it. Your life is never the same.”
Linda Ashman has written a sensitive and heartfelt story about a boy and a dog growing up together. They become best friends, play games, teach each other tricks, take care and comfort each other, share tasty treats, go on adventures together.
As the boy grows up, the dog begins to age and slow down — an important topic to discuss with children. The boy notices the changes and adjusts their activities together. One day the boy has to say goodbye to his dog. It leaves him feeling empty and heart broken. His parents play a significant role in helping their son honor his best friend and heal is heart. I found this story to be very uplifting. This is a perfect book to keep on the book shelf if your child has a pet. And it will melt the hearts of dog lovers of all ages.
Kristina Jones’ colorful illustrations resemble a scrapbook at times and complement the theme of the importance of preserving the boy’s memories of the joyful years he spent with his dog. Memories won’t fade. Make sure you check out the end pages.
Linda Ashman is the author of more than 45 picture books and the creator of The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books. Her books have been included on the “best of the year” lists of The New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, the American Library Association, the Children’s Book Council and others, and have been translated into many languages. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Visits her at lindaashman.com.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
*The publisher provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.