Always and Forever [Hardcover]

Alan Durant (Author), Debi Gliori (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When Fox dies, Mole, Hare, and Otter are devastated. They feel they will never get over their great sadness. How can life go on without him? Then one day Squirrel comes to visit. She reminds Fox's family of all the funny things he used to do. And as the friends share dinner and tell stories, they realize at last that in their hearts and memories, Fox is still with them, and he will be--always and forever.

With thoughtful, delicate illustrations by acclaimed artist Debi Gliori, this gentle story is just right for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3–Otter, Mole, Fox, and Hare share a house in the woods. When Fox dies, the other three struggle with their grief. By remembering the love, wisdom, and support he showed them and the funny things he used to do, they are able to create a memorial for him. As they sit in the garden they made in honor of him, they realize that Fox is with them "always and forever" in their memories and in their laughter. Durant's sensitive text explores a difficult topic without rushing the characters' stages of grief. Gliori's large and appealing watercolors are charming and warm. Unfortunately, Hare and Fox look too much alike, which may confuse some young readers. The tone is similar to Susan Varley's Badger'sParting Gifts (HarperCollins, 1984), but here Fox's death, being much more literal, is less abstract. This story will fill requests for books to share with children who have experienced the loss of a loved one.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. British storyteller Durant tells a gentle tale about animal friends who cope with the death of a loved one. Otter, Mole, Fox, and Hare live happily together in a snug tree home, but in the autumn, Fox grows ill and dies, and his friends find his body in the woods, "still and cold, covered in leaves." After burying Fox, his friends grieve through the winter, until their friend Squirrel visits in spring and encourages them to share funny, fond memories. By laughing, they find ways to move past their grief and hold Fox "in their hearts and their memories." Durant's spare sentences have an appealing, poetic rhythm that reinforces the story's tender, reassuring tone. Gliori's charming, richly colored illustrations don't shy away from the reality of death (Fox's body is shown curled up under a tree), but the detailed scenes of the affectionate friends and their cozy home and garden will comfort children. Pair this with Mindy Avra Portnoy's Where Do People Go When They Die?, reviewed on p.1847. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015216636X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152166366
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #437,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alan Durant is the author of books for a wide age-range, from picture books such as Burger Boy to top-end teenage thrillers (Blood, Flesh and Bones). Having worked as a copywriter at Walker Books, he is now a full-time author.

He's married, with three children and lives just outside London. He does a lot of school visits throughout the UK and abroad and also runs writing workshops.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WONDERFUL story for Children who lose a loved one, May 10, 2005

By 

MAIOSH (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always and Forever (Hardcover)

We checked this book out at the library. My daughters had lost a close friend and out of all the books we checked out, this one was the very best. The reason why is because this book focuses on the people left behind. It is not about where the person who died went, or questions regarding death. It is a book about the grief process of the people who are left behind that love that person. Because the characters in the book are animals...it feels less "real" and allows a child to explore their own feelings with you and relate to this story in a non-threatening way. Most books that we read seemed to either upset them or make them angry and withdraw even more but this was one of the few books that helped them to talk about how they were feeling. I highly recommend this book if you need to use a story to show that grief is normal and that eventually they will be "o.k.". We bought a copy for our family to keep because death is a part of life and I know that we will go through this again.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for dealing with feelings of sadness, August 11, 2004

By 

mikki630 "mom/cancer survivor" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always and Forever (Hardcover)

This is a simple story using animals to tell the tale of their grief over losing a friend. This book starts with the last time they saw the friend before he died.

They discuss feeling sad when they think of missing their friend. They initially want to stay home all the time and not do anything that reminds them of their friend. They wonder how life will go on without him. They are initially sad thinking about all of the things they will miss.

Another friend gets them to see that they still have memories. Soon they are sharing memories and laughing at silly things their friend used to do. They finally get to the point in their grief that they begin to DO things again & have fun remembering their friend.

Great book for little ones. I bought it for a 4 year old who is losing his mom. I know it will still be appropriate when he is older and may need to read it again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle story of how we get past our grief, no religious overtones, December 4, 2007

By 

Nancy (West Coast FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always & Forever (Paperback)

Lovely story personifies animals, beautiful illustrations. I've had this in my closet for several years. A parent of my 6 yr old's classmate passed away suddenly, and a counselor was scheduled to speak with the class so that they might know how to speak with their classmate, and have some understanding of the loss. I sent this book in for the teacher to share with the class while the student was away. She too felt that this was helpful. The book contains touching moments that children can relate to, yet understand that moving on and good memories can follow. Children notice so much. My daughter noticed a detail (that I had missed entirely) at the end with baby birds chirping in a tree...in the deceased fox's hat...very sweet indeed. A great addition to a library, and tool.