Customer Reviews

Wishes for One More Day

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The loss of a loved one is a hard experience for a person of any age. "Wishes for One More Day" helps young and old alike grapple with the loss of a loved one in a powerful and touching way.

Anna and Joey learn of their grandfather's passing one morning. The children and adults deal with their grief in very different, yet equally effective ways. Anna gets an idea to write down all the things she would love to have done with her Poppy one more time.

Both the mother's and children's perspective are well represented in the story, making the book great for all ages. I found myself tearing up at the beauty and simplicity of the children's idea. This book serves as a great reminder of how the simple things are often the most important.

Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of SAHM I Am: Tales of a Stay-at-Home Mom in Europe, lives near Munich, Germany with her husband and two children. [..]

When Anna and her younger brother Joey suddenly lose their beloved Grandpa, "Poppy," they wish they had one more day to spend with him. They think of all the things they would do, such as make matzah ball sculptures in their soup at the deli, play checkers, and listen to him play silly songs on the piano. Their mother encourages them to put all the pictures they make of these memories and wishes into a book. Anna calls this book Wishes for One More Day with Poppy. She calls them wishes rather than memories, because she says, "wishes feel closer." The Jewish custom of sitting shivah is described by her mother, who tells the children how they will light a memorial candle and have friends and family come over "to comfort them with hugs and food." The aunt is shown covering the mirror.

Readers will enjoy the cover picture of Poppy wearing his silly birthday hat with a cardboard candle sticking out of the top of it, and the gentle gouache and watercolor pencil illustrations which follow the flow of the text. This would be very helpful and comforting to use with children who have lost a grandparent or other loved one. They will be encouraged to think of their own memories of those dear to them, and will realize that they will always have those memories in their heart. For ages 6 - 10. Reviewed by Andrea Davidson

"Wishes for One More Day" written by Melanie Joy Pastor and published by Flashlight Press is a valuable addition to any counseling library and even recommended for one's personal collection as well. Anna and Joey awake to the news that their beloved Poppy has passed away in the night. Both children are not given the opportunity to tell their Poppy good-bye. A list is created of things they wish they could do one more time with their Poppy and this list is created into a memory book highlighting the times they had spent with their Poppy. A wonderful story that celebrates the life of a loved grandparent and helping children to work through their grief by focusing on the happy memories that they can cherish for years to come. This book is highly recommended and an excellent resource to use with children who have recently lost a loved one.