A little boy responds to his mother’s death in a genuine, deeply moving story leavened by glimmers of humor and captivating illustrations....
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reviews
Dec 31, 2011
Deb
rated it: 
This one came out of nowhere and hit hard.
I grabbed this book off the 'New Picture Books' shelf at the local library looking only at the cover thinking it was a story of a boy who fell on the playground and hurt his leg. I was not prepared for the first page of the story.
"Mom died this morning.
It wasn't really this morning.
Dad said she died during the night,
but I was sleeping during the night.
For me, she died this morning."
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I grabbed this book off the 'New Picture Books' shelf at the local library looking only at the cover thinking it was a story of a boy who fell on the playground and hurt his leg. I was not prepared for the first page of the story.
"Mom died this morning.
It wasn't really this morning.
Dad said she died during the night,
but I was sleeping during the night.
For me, she died this morning."
More...
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Jan 13, 2012
babyhippoface
rated it:
This may be the best picture book I have ever seen that deals with the subject of death, as viewed through the eyes of a child. Usually when the topic is tackled in a picture book it's a grandparent or a pet that's died. Our young narrator has just lost his mother, and he knows death is permanent: I knew that she wasn't gone--she was dead and I would never see her again. They were going to put her in a box and then in the ground, where she would turn into dust. I know very well that dying means
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Dec 20, 2011
Angie
rated it:
The first sentence of this book is "Mom died this morning." This book is so warm, so touching, so real without giving dippy rationalizations like "Mom's in heaven" or things about life cycles. It has depth as it explores not only the boy's feelings, but his dad's and his grandmother's. It explores a range of emotions and acting out and irrational fears (don't open the windows--mom's gonna disappear for good). I think this is a great little book.
The only prob More...
The only prob More...
Nov 22, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Read full review at Cracking the Cover
Losing a loved one is never easy, but it’s even harder for a young child, who doesn’t necessarily understand everything but understands more than adults think.
In “The Scar,” by Charlotte Moundlic, we meet one such little boy.
“The Scar” is one of the sweetest, saddest and most beautiful picture books you may come across. Author Chalotte Moundlic captures the pure, raw emotion of loss in a way that everyone can relate to. She also More...
Losing a loved one is never easy, but it’s even harder for a young child, who doesn’t necessarily understand everything but understands more than adults think.
In “The Scar,” by Charlotte Moundlic, we meet one such little boy.
“The Scar” is one of the sweetest, saddest and most beautiful picture books you may come across. Author Chalotte Moundlic captures the pure, raw emotion of loss in a way that everyone can relate to. She also More...
Dec 17, 2011
Paul
rated it:
A boy wakes up to find that his mother has passed away in the night.
Moundlic's words and the page breaks guide the reader like bated breath compels each of us to ask where from where these emotional responses are coming. For anyone who has lost and grieved, we find our child's heart in this little boy as he comes down the stairs.
THE SCAR would work wonderfully well as a biblio-therapeutic title for younger readers dealing with loss and subsequent grief.
I re More...
Moundlic's words and the page breaks guide the reader like bated breath compels each of us to ask where from where these emotional responses are coming. For anyone who has lost and grieved, we find our child's heart in this little boy as he comes down the stairs.
THE SCAR would work wonderfully well as a biblio-therapeutic title for younger readers dealing with loss and subsequent grief.
I re More...
Jan 11, 2012
Elizabeth
rated it: 
" 'No! Don't open the windows! Mom's going to disappear for good....'
And I fall and the tears flow without stopping, and there's nothing I can do and I feel very tired."
I love the syntax of the last sentence of this quotation; all those "and"s are perfect as part of the young narrator's voice; they also effectively convey the crushing power of grief. The loss of a parent--whatever the age of the child--can reduce one to this rather primitive level of though More...
And I fall and the tears flow without stopping, and there's nothing I can do and I feel very tired."
I love the syntax of the last sentence of this quotation; all those "and"s are perfect as part of the young narrator's voice; they also effectively convey the crushing power of grief. The loss of a parent--whatever the age of the child--can reduce one to this rather primitive level of though More...
Feb 22, 2012
Shelli
rated it:
Any book that starts off with the sentence "Mom died this morning." should have a warning label. My daughter and I both pretended we weren't choking up and having tear filled eyes over this one. I don't know if I would recommend this book to a child that is just then dealing with the loss of a parent. Maybe to read with someone who knows someone who is dealing with the death of a parent though. Possibly to understand the emotions that their friend may be going through. This book did a
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Feb 08, 2012
Heidi
rated it:
Whoa. There should be either a different illustration or a subtitle to this book. I was a bit surprised by its subject. Good thing it is at the very beginning so an unsuspecting parent can close the book early on and not be surprised later. However, if one is looking for a book to help a child deal with death (especially of a parent), this book is really good. So well done. Gentle and sweet. Dealing with plenty of aspects that may a occur and that a child will certainly encounter. Good to have a
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Jan 12, 2012
Stephen
rated it:
I had a strong, tearful reaction to this book. Not typical for me, and certainly not for a children's book. I do work in a hospital, and work with children of gravely ill parents. Many books exist for children to help them face grief, but are often written with a "helper" voice. This book is not like that. The young boy narrates this story, and I was struck by the quality of tone and style. Thet includes the artwork. A great stand-alone book for children and adults, regardless if the r
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Dec 08, 2011
Shanshad
rated it: 
To be perfectly honest, I can only give this book a three because as a librarian I'm not sure where to shelve it. It's a vividly illustrated picture book that appears from the cover to be for youngsters of about 3 to 5 years. But the inside, text heavy story is anything but.
I'm the first to admit the need for books dealing with grief and loss of a parent, but I'm also aware that a book that opens with the line "Mom died this morning." is not really a book you want a young More...
I'm the first to admit the need for books dealing with grief and loss of a parent, but I'm also aware that a book that opens with the line "Mom died this morning." is not really a book you want a young More...
Nov 09, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is helping a child deal with the loss of a loved one. It is a hearwrenching story about a little boy whose mother dies and it details the grieving process in a way that it accessible and acceptable to kids. Although some of the word choices that the little boy uses in his narration are strange for a child (I think that's due to the translation from French), the illustrations will speak to kids and adults alike who have experienced such a traumat
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Dec 31, 2011
Judy
rated it:
Lovely! Sad. Compelling.
I picked this one up randomly from the new book shelf. I thought it would be about a scar. Something universal to all kids. I was wrong. The first sentence:"Mom died this morning" tipped me off that this was going to be much different. It is a thoughtful book; heart wrenching, but tender. The boy learns to cope with this profound loss.
It is not a book to pick up and read to a large group of kids. I loved this book. I think anyone who has de More...
I picked this one up randomly from the new book shelf. I thought it would be about a scar. Something universal to all kids. I was wrong. The first sentence:"Mom died this morning" tipped me off that this was going to be much different. It is a thoughtful book; heart wrenching, but tender. The boy learns to cope with this profound loss.
It is not a book to pick up and read to a large group of kids. I loved this book. I think anyone who has de More...
Jan 13, 2012
Sandy
rated it:
Perhaps it is because I read this right after A Monster Calls, but I found the voice in this not-so-simple picture book to be equally as powerful and memorable. Imagine a book talk group for those who had read both titles: character evolution, loss and grieving (and its stages), not to mention the role of grandmas in our lives.A Monster Calls
Feb 18, 2012
Stacy
rated it:
This book opening line is, "Mom died this morning." From that point on the changes in this boys life as he faces the new reality if life without his mom drew me in. The grief in this book is palpable. Stirring illustrations engage the reader throughout.
I'm thinking of four kids who have lost or will most likely lose parents this year. I may regretfully have to share this book with them, but hope in some small way it will help them cope.
I'm thinking of four kids who have lost or will most likely lose parents this year. I may regretfully have to share this book with them, but hope in some small way it will help them cope.
Dec 14, 2011
Christiane
rated it:
Beautiful, deeply moving book about a young boy dealing with grief after his mother dies. I don't personally know much about young children and grieving but this just feels completely right: his anger, his concern for his father, his fear of forgetting his mother. And the way things very gradually start to not be quite as terrible. I would definitely recommend this to a family dealing with the death of a loved one.
Feb 22, 2012
Mary
rated it:
It seems strange to say that I really liked a picture book about a boy who is grieving for his mother, but this was very well done. This short book shows the gamut of emotions that a young child might feel after the death of a parent: confusion, anger, sadness, fear, comfort. The illustrations are poignant even in their simplicity. A very lovely book to share with a child who has just lost a parent.
Nov 27, 2011
Cathy
rated it:
Poignant tale of the grieving process told through the voice of a young boy. A simple narrative combines with simple illustrations to give voice to all the uncertainty, anger and sadness that come with the death of a loved one. A touching book for children who have lost a parent.
Jan 18, 2012
Angie
rated it:
I wouldn't use this for Storytime per se but, didn't want another folder for non storytime books just yet. This is a good choice for the littlest members of the family who have lost a loved young. The little boy has lost his mother...will his father or anything ever be the same?
Jan 11, 2012
Jen
rated it:
Wow! I have been reading great reviews of this book and just had to get my hands on it. I was crying after the first page. It's the very poignant story of a little boy whose mother has passed away and how he heals from this "scar" with the help of his dad and grandmother.
Jan 31, 2012
Victoria
rated it:
This is not your typical "happy, cute" kid's picture book, but thank goodness we have authors that are willing to tackle the difficult issues as well. The opening line sets the tone - "Mom died this morning." Yes, it's a tear jerker. But the author did an excellent job of portraying the emotions and questions a young child goes thru in this situation. His awkward interactions with his dad and grandma, who are also grieving, are realistic and touching. A great book for kids an
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Jan 12, 2012
Donna
rated it:
I am an adult and I had the same scar this little boy had when my own mom died. The feelings of grief are universal and the author has captured the exact feelings with this sad, yet hopeful, little book. This one took me by surprise.
Nov 17, 2011
Susan
rated it:
A beautiful book to help kids deal with death -- the death of a mom, in this case. I can't really remember how I felt when my mom died (I was barely four), but I'd like to think books like this can help children feel less alone.
Jan 12, 2012
Louise
rated it:
An extraordinary picture book dealing with the death of a mother from a young boy's point of view. It's very moving by the nature of the subject matter, but extraordinarily well done. My blog post:
http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot.co...
http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot.co...
Nov 15, 2011
Teresa Rolfe
rated it:
I was warned that I would need tissues. A very self-aware little boy experiences the death of his mother, and finds a path through the grief with his dad and his grandma to heal. Simple, poignant and powerful.
Dec 22, 2011
Amanda
rated it: 
This book was absolutely horrible. It took me forever to get through it. I wouldn't use this book to explain death to children. There are much better ones out there.
Sep 14, 2011
Danielle
rated it:
*Review to Come*
I'll just say that by page three I was sobbing. Such a beautiful and much needed book.
I'll just say that by page three I was sobbing. Such a beautiful and much needed book.
Oct 25, 2011
Ed
rated it:
A powerful, deeply touching story about a young boy grieving for his recently deceased mother.
Nov 30, 2011
Beth
rated it:
Beautiful, tragic, touching, humorous... those are the words to describe this quiet story of a boy who loses his mother to what we assume is cancer and the immediate grieving process he goes through.
