Mending Peter's Heart (Hardcover)

by Maureen Wittbold (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 6?This splendid story will bring a lump to the throat of anyone who has lost a much-loved animal or person. Peter's Husky, Mishka, has died and, as he rages in his grief, his neighbor suggests they sit on his front porch and rock a bit. "Medicine for the soul is what a rocking chair is," Mr. MacIntyre says. As Peter reminisces about his best friend, the elderly man parallels with memories of his best friend, his deceased wife. With Mr. Mac's guidance, Peter closes his eyes and feels "the magic and the joy and the wonder of seeing what he had loved and lost returned to him." The man assures him that Mishka and Mrs. MacIntyre are friends who are going to take good care of one another "...somewhere where there isn't any pain." Realistic paintings capture the raw pain of the boy as well as the mature grief of the patient adult, just as the text encapsulates the cadences of each voice without patronizing or being maudlin. Mr. Mac's wise words comfort and soothe Peter and will help anyone who has grieved. A compassionate, sensitive addition.?Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Mending Peter's Heart is a book designed to help a child come to terms with the emotional issues raised by loss. In this case, it is through the loss of a beloved pet, Mishka, that Peter has to face the realities of death and dying. A sensitive neighbor comes to Peter's aid and places the loss of Mishka into a larger understanding and compassionate framework. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Portunus Publishing Co.; 1st edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964133040
• ISBN-13: 978-0964133044
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,928,558 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult Subject Handled Beautifully, April 13, 2000

By A Customer

The subject of death is a difficult one to explain to childrenand send a positive, yet real message. Death happens, and"sometimes there isn't a single reaons in the world for something to happen." It is okay to grieve and talking about it can sometimes be the best way to work through a loss. The writer clearly portrays a boy struggling to understand the loss of his dog, and meeting up with his neighbor-- an older man who's wife died previously. The older man understands the boy's frustration and grief, and empathizes with the boy's feelings word for word. As the boy describes his life with the dog, the man remembers his life with his "best friend" (his wife.)

The book does not specifically address where people go after they die, except to clearly state that they are in a better place, happy, able to run and see, etc. (I would hope that people from any religion would be able to interpret this to be whatever they wanted.) And, the man teaches the boy how to be with his dog whenever he wants, by just closing his eyes and imagining... Really beautiful!

This subject matter is difficult, but I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has suffered a loss. I think this will help children understand their feelings and know they are not alone in losing someone. Very well done!