Reading Ladder Project
By: Cooper James
Anchor Book: A Monster Calls
Theme: Death and Dying
Picture books:
1.The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
This book by Todd Parr talks about the emotions that children might feel when dealing with death and saying goodbye. He writes that one will eventually begin to feel better and teaches children the struggle of having to say to goodbye.
2. Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso
This book is about a friendship that lives on after the passing of one friend. This book teaches children that loved one’s can live on in their hearts and their spirit and presence will never cease to exist.
3. Life and I: A Story About Death by Elisabeth Helland Larsen illustrated by Marnie Schneider
In this story, Death is portrayed as a teal-colored girl that shares her stories of visits with all living things. She also teaches about love and how it never dies. This book teaches children that life is followed by death.
4. The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown illustrated by Christian Robinson
This book is about a group of children that find a dead bird, bury him in the woods and decorate his plot. This book teaches children of the traditions and rituals that surround death.
Children’s novels:
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness