Customer Reviews

I'll Always Love You (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A boy and his chubby hound, Elfie are the closest friends. They share developmental milestones and secrets. The gentle illustrations show the bond between the two; in one picture, the boy, then barely more than an infant mounts a toilet seat while his dog tinkles on the floor. The parallel between the two and their developmental milestones from pup to dog and from toddler to older child are beautifully chronicled.

As Elfie ages, she is no longer able to romp and play. Her stiffened joints and fatigue are taxed on her advanced age. She is taken to a kindly vet, who says that he cannot treat her, but the best thing to do is make her happy and comfortable.

Elfie eventually dies and the boy sadly buries her after openly sharing his grief. He vows that he will tell every pet he owns that he will always love that animal.

A wonderful book of healing and bonding; truly the best book dealing with the death of a pet that I have come across. I think the message of telling a loved one, human or pet that you will always love them is a lesson worth learning.

Thank you, Mr. Wilhelm!

There are some books I think should be in every household, and if you have both children and pets, this is one of them. Dealing with the death of a beloved pet is difficult enough for anyone, let alone a child, but this book helps. In fact, I would recommend this book to adult pet owners as well. Nothing will stop the pain of the loss of course, but "I'll Always Love You" helps bring back the happiness and lets the healing begin. I have been a booster of this book for years and hope it NEVER goes out of print. Do yourself a favor and buy this warm story of Effie, "the best dog in the whole world" and her boy....

As a little girl I read this book when my dog was dying. It truly helped me deal with his death and realize that is okay to be sad. It is a wonderful tool to help children understand death a bit better. Few books since my childhood have made such an impression on me as this one, and it is the only book from my childhood I still keep on my shelf as a college student. In fact, my cat grew very sick of cancer and I read this book again to make myself feel better about the situation. And I have never forgotten to utter Hans Wilhelm's words into my pets' ears. And right before my cat died, I whispered "I will always love you" just as the little boy in the story did.

As a librarian and a mother, I have used this book many, many times and recommended it often to deal with death - not just the death of a pet, but also the death of someone close. It was such a comfort to my son when our neighbor died because he was very young and had never experienced death before. He was confused as he had prayed for our neighbor for so long, but didn't know if he could continue to pray for him, or love him, or talk about him. It was a book that we read over and over again. As a librarian, it is a book that I can recommend with confidence and each time I do, the response is most favorable. I have had to repeatedly reorder the book - some children cannot bring themselves to returning it. It becomes their "warm fuzzy" when thinking about death. Thank you Mr. Wilhelm!

I got this book to help my daughter deal with the loss of our dog who had become sick and had to be put down. I liked the way the book was to the point and very sweet at the same time. The book also stays away from taking a religious stand point which I was greatful for. My daughter is too young to have to deal with that aspect of life or death. This book teaches that sometimes something you love will go away forever, but even though they are gone, you can always love and remember them.

This is the perfect pet loss book for all ages. A good gift to give when words do not seem appropriate. Similar to Boomerang - A Miracle Trilogy, about the short but miraculous life of a remarable Boston Terrier. And, how through love, all things are possible.

Elfie and her owner are best friends. They run together, play together, and sleep together. But, as her owner is growing up, Elfie is growing old; and round. She doesn't quite have as much energy as before. Instead of running, she prefers to rest. The family takes Elfie to see the vet, but sadly, the vet says that there's nothing that he can do for Elfie. She's just getting old. The boy now carries Elfie up to bed each night so she can still sleep with him.

However, one morning, Elfie doesn't wake up. She died during the night. Her family grieves and cries, and they bury her in the back yard. The little boy's neighbor offers him one of his new puppies, but he refuses. He wishes to honor Elfie's memory. He does proclaim that when he gets a new pet, he'll always say "I'll always love you".

Our family has a terminally ill dog, and a dear friend loaned us this great book to help our children deal with her impending death. I was moved to tears as I read this book. I could easily relate to what the family in the book was going through. Pets become members of the family just like children do, and dealing with the loss of a pet can be very difficult. This book teaches the reader that, despite the death of the pet, we should remember all of the good times we shared with the pet.

I give this book my highest recommendation. If your family has suffered the loss of a pet, or has a pet that is very sick like mine, then read this fine book. It will help you prepare for the loss, but it will also remind you to remember the good times you shared with your pet.

I just got done reading this book to my 4 year old daughter. This is the first Hans Wilhelm that I have read to her. After reading this book I looked up his other books and I will be sure to buy more. This book had a very powerful impact on her as far as what death is about and why it is so important to love your pet everyday and to let the pet know that it is loved. This book is very well written and illistrated beautifully. I know that as my daughter goes older we will still have this book and I will still be reading it to her.

This book captures the very essence of the permanent bond between a dog and his human friend. It is the book to give to a person who has lost a very special friend.

Such a touching and heartwarming read. What a wonderful way to help children and adults deal with the pain of losing a beloved pet. Especially helpful for anyone with an old or ailing dog, and the heartache of "anticipatory grief". As Boomerang would say, as part of his Kindness Network Bylaws, "See with your heart, what may be invisible to your eyes."
Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY