A Stone for Sascha
Aaron Becker, Author & Illustrator
Candlewick Press, Fiction, May 8, 2018
Suitable for Ages: 5-9
Themes: Pet, Death, Grief, Journey, Healing, Wordless picture book
Synopsis:
This year’s summer vacation will be very different for a young girl and her family without Sascha, the beloved family dog, along for the ride. After laying her dog to rest in the family’s backyard and showering the grave with flowers, the family goes on a camping trip. A wistful walk along the beach to gather cool polished stones becomes a brilliant turning point in the girl’s grief. A major shift occurs in the story. There, at the edge of a vast ocean beneath an infinite sky, the girl uncovers, alongside the reader, a profound and joyous truth.
Why I love this book:
Aaron Becker’s breathtaking wordless picture book takes readers on an epic journey across the cosmos. This is a quiet and contemplative picture book. Readers will want to pour over all of the details in the dreamy illustrations of the girl’s extraordinary journey of healing that reaches beyond time and civilizations — because of one polished stone. A meteor strikes the earth, leaving a path of debris that is mined by ancient human workers. The golden stone is carved into a statue. During times of war the stone topples. It is carried away to serve other purposes and eventually ends up in the ocean where it is polished into a smooth stone by the churning waves and discovered by the girl. This is a book Becker hopes readers “will find comfort in stories that are older than our own and inspire the reader to discover their own path.” Verdict: This book is a treasure.
Aaron Becker is the author of the award-winning Journey, Quest, and Return wordless picture book trilogy. A Stone for Sascha is a stand-alone book. Becker took care of a hermit crab for his pet merit badge in the Boy Scouts. When it died, he wasn’t too sad about it. But when lost Lily, his first cat, it was a different story altogether. Learning that love includes loss is a profound lesson that he’s learned from his animal companions over the years.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
Pat,
What a beautifully written review and synopsis!!!
Cathleen Burnham
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Thank you Cathleen! What are you up to — anything new?
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I loved this beautiful book! Nice review, Pat!
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It is a feast for the eyes and very imaginative.
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Looking forward to reading this book! Love the cover! Beautiful!
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I guess “reading” may not be the right word since it’s a wordless book.
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A lot of showing and readers will have fun with the detailed artwork.
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It is a beautifully illustrated book full of detail so that everyone will have a slightly different take on the story.
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I remember loving another of Aaron Becker’s picture books, Journey, and this one sounds absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
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It is a stunning book! Easy to get lost in your own journey as you interpret what it means to you.
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Losing a beloved pet is heart-wrenching. A wordless picture book, especially by the talented Becker, seems like a wonderful way to help kids & adults learn to grieve.
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I’d love to say I can’t wait to read this one, but I have a firm policy about not reading anything where the dog dies. It does sound like an interesting, sweet take on the situation, though.
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A wordless picture book with a message. Sounds awesome. Anything to help a child, or even an adult, get over the loss of a pet is good.
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Oh boy. I got teary-eyed just reading your review. My grandkids have an 11-year-old golden who is aging well, but we all know goldens have a lifespan of 11-13. I may need to get this book to help prepare them….(and me).
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I love beautiful artwork and its influence on me and the world. Thanks for sharing this unique book with us, Patricia.
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This one sounds like a must addition to my bookshelf. Such a relatable story for those who have lost their own pet. Thanks for sharing this beautiful book.
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This sounds absolutely beautiful, Patricia. I’ll have to have a ‘read’. Thanks for sharing.
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Your synopsis makes me soooo want to find this story.
And I will!
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You will love Becker’s latest book. Illustrations are stunning.
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