Liplap's Wish [Hardcover]

Jonathan London (Author), Sylvia Long (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

When Liplap wakes to find the ground covered with the first snow of the year, he can hardly wait to build a snowbunny. He pulls on his winter clothes and hops outside -- lip lap, lip lap -- as quickly as he can. But something's not right. As Liplap builds his snowbunny, he realizes that for the first time, his grandmother isn't there to help him. Grandmother hadn't lived to see the snow this year, and Liplap can't believe that he'll never see her again. It isn't until Liplap's mother tells him the ancient bunny legend about the stars in the sky that Liplap realizes that his grandmother will always be with him.

In this truly moving book, the heartwarming text and tender illustrations provide reassuring comfort as they remind us that the power of love and memory can transcend the sadness and confusion that comes with any kind of loss or separation. Perfect for one-on-one sharing as well as group discussion, this extraordinary book works on a variety of levels to comfort and to inspire.

Awards and honors for Liplap's Wish:
American Bookseller, "Pick of the Lists"

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This pair's second collaboration-a quieter tale than their spirited Fire Race-focuses on Liplap, a winsome young rabbit who shapes a "snowbunny" after the winter's first snowfall. He wishes that Grandma, who "hadn't lived to see the snow this year," were here to help him make the creature's face. That night Liplap is sad, until his mother shares a story that "Grandma used to tell"-when the First Rabbits died, they became stars in the sky, which come out at night to "remind us that our loved ones shine forever in our hearts." When his mother points out one bright star, the two decide that the star could be Grandma. London's impressively visual narrative ("The setting sun was pulling rose and yellow scarves across the sky") is given even greater dimension by Long's exquisitely detailed art. Words and pictures create an affecting work that will be especially meaningful to children who have lost a loved one. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-A wonderful, sensitive story about children's feelings of sadness and loss after the death of a loved one. Liplap, a young rabbit, builds a snowbunny after the first snowfall, but it's not much fun this year because his grandmother is not there to share it with him. At bedtime, his mother tells him a story about the "First Rabbits" becoming stars when they died to help him remember Grandma and feel her presence. London's text is uncomplicated, describing complex emotions in a manner that youngsters will understand. Long's illustrations reflect the poignancy of the tale with soft colors and thoughtful expressions on the characters' faces. Details evoke memories of Grandma-a crocheted afghan on the bed, a braided rug, a picture of her reading to Liplap, and her button box. This sympathetic book will help comfort generations of grieving children.
Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1ST edition (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811805050
• ISBN-13: 978-0811805056
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,652,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solace for a child, March 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Liplap's Wish (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book to read to a child after having lost any loved one, particularly a grandparent. A very sweet, gentle tale that will help bring solace and understanding to a child. Grandma may not be here with us now, but if we look to the stars each night, we will find her always shining (and smiling) down on us.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Gentle Introduction To Grieving For Little One's, March 10, 2010

By 

Lindsay N. Bowker "We Are The Angels We Have ... (Stonington, Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Liplap's Wish (Paperback)

This very sweet tale about a little bunny remembering and missing his grandmother as he builds a snow bunny helps little one's talk about their feelings and questions and encourages positive remembrance of lost loved ones. It seems to reach pre schoolers exactly where they experience loss and helps them to talk and think about it in positive ways.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend, March 23, 2009

By 

L. Ramos (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Liplap's Wish (Paperback)

In my work I do a lot of grief counseling. But I have found this book to work with my own daughter. I recommend it to all families having to deal with the death of a love one. The book is geared for younger children, under the age of 10. I have bought several copies and have given it to other friends who have children that have lost a special person.