Murphy and Kate [Hardcover]

Ellen Howard (Author), Mark Graham (Illustrator)

Book Description

A touching and sensitive look at coping with grief and loss tells of Kate and her beloved dog Murphy, who grow up together, and poignantly evokes Kate's sadness at Murphy's death, reminding youngsters how life continues.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4?This touching story chronicles the 14 years Kate shared with her dog, Murphy. Friends since infancy, the two ate together, played together, slept together. Kate even teaches Murphy to walk standing up, "one step at a time." As she gets older, school and friends begin to take up much of her time, but her faithful pet is always waiting when she returns home. But one day he is not waiting for her, and when she finally notices his absence late in the evening, she runs out to his favorite place in the yard and finds him moments before he dies. Although at first she believes life cannot go on, Kate resumes her normal activities. The ache of loss eases, but she does not forget Murphy, for it is remembering him that brings her joy. The lengthy text is lovely in its paralleling of the two lives, culminating in the final parallel in which Kate heals "one step at a time." Graham's soft paintings in muted tones match the gentle text perfectly. Small scenes, two to a page, depict baby Kate and the puppy learning together. Larger scenes show an older Kate and dog, while the largest paintings portray her as a teen. There is a progression from the unhappy girl shown against a somber blue background on the first page to the fond remembrance of an alert, mischievous Murphy against a white background at the end. A comforting story for children experiencing a similar loss.?Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 7^-11. In a story told in retrospect, sensitive, tenderly rendered oil paintings picture baby Kate and puppy Murphy growing up simultaneously, teething together on purse straps and shoes and later walking together, Murphy on two hind paws as Kate taught him to do "one step at a time." As Kate grew older, their play time diminished, yet Murphy was always there, waiting for Kate after school, while she did homework, and as she talked on the phone. But one inevitable day when both were 14, Murphy no longer waited. Fourteen was old for a dog, but Kate was still young and now mourned life without Murphy. Although it unfolds a loving narrative of devoted companionship, this warmly told story's greatest strength lies in its caring, realistic revelation of just how the grieving Kate would go on "one step at a time," just as she'd taught Murphy to do, and finally find happiness not in forgetting Murphy, but in remembering him. A sensitive, honest focus on coping with the loss of a beloved pet. Ellen Mandel

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671797751
• ISBN-13: 978-0671797751
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,271,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sad but loving, December 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Murphy and Kate (Hardcover)

Murphy and Kate is a bittersweet story about the relationship between a girl and her dog. The story begins when Kate is a toddler and Murphy is a puppy. It shows how the relationship grows as they both grow older, to the end when Murphy dies of old age. The story is realistic, and handles the death of Murphy in a gentle way. Anyone who has lost a pet they loved, can relate to this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Murphy and Kate, October 15, 2008

By 

Evelyn C. Conkright (Port Austin, MI United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Murphy and Kate (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for children dealing with the death of a pet, friend, or family member. I purchased a second book as a gift to our veterinarian...he shares it with clients with small children.

5.0 out of 5 stars a great book for anyone who has lost a beloved dog, February 9, 2008

By 

N. Ferguson "Two, Daisy, Hannah, and Kitten" (Ohio) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Murphy and Kate (Paperback)

This is an absolutely wonderful book. Those who have loved and had to say goodbye to a dog will see themselves and their dear friend in these pages.

I would give this book as a gift to any adult or child friend whose beloved dog has passed away. Although Murphy is a golden retriever, this book would be treasured by any dog lover. I'm a psychotherapist as well as a dog lover. Both parts of me loved this book!