Illus. in full color. "In this gentle, moving story, Elfie, a dachshund, and her special boy progress happily through life together. One morni...
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reviews
Apr 08, 2009
Abigail
rated it: 
A recent discussion in the Children's Books group here on goodreads has reminded me of this book, which - together with Judith Viorst's The Tenth Good Thing About Barney - is one of my top recommendations for those looking for books to help a child begin the grieving process for the loss of a pet.
"This is a story about Elfie - the best dog in the whole world" begins Hans Wilhelm's I'll Always Love You, in which a young boy and his beloved dachshund grow up together, only to More...
"This is a story about Elfie - the best dog in the whole world" begins Hans Wilhelm's I'll Always Love You, in which a young boy and his beloved dachshund grow up together, only to More...
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Apr 20, 2009
Kelly Jo
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My daughter and I found comfort in this book when we lost our dog-friend. It is the story of a little boy who grows-up along side a puppy and must deal with the inevitable loss when the old dog dies in his sleep. How sad that dogs must have such a short life-span!
My only regret about this book is that the dog is not portrayed as a family dog, although they do all grieve at his death, they are absent in his life except for scoldings.
My only regret about this book is that the dog is not portrayed as a family dog, although they do all grieve at his death, they are absent in his life except for scoldings.
Sep 27, 2011
Candice
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A beautiful book to help a child who has lost a pet. Elfie the dog and the little boy who narrates the story have grown up together. Although Elfie is a family pet, she is really the narrator's dog, and every day ht tells her, "I'll always love you." When Elfie grows old and dies in her sleep, the family grieves and buries her in the back yard, but the boy finds comfort in knowing that he told her that he loved her. The softly colored illustrations show beautifully the bond between
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Mar 12, 2009
Brittany
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Author and Illustrator: Hans Wilhelm
Genre: Fiction Picture Book
Year Published: 1988
Reading Level: Ages 4-8; Early
Topic and Theme: Pet Death, Animals
Curricular Use: Individual Reading, Shared Reading, Read Aloud
Social: Sad, Loss, Coping
Text and Pictures: The pictures are simple and relate to each sentence in the book.
Summary: This book is about a close relationship between a dog, Elfie, and a little bo More...
Genre: Fiction Picture Book
Year Published: 1988
Reading Level: Ages 4-8; Early
Topic and Theme: Pet Death, Animals
Curricular Use: Individual Reading, Shared Reading, Read Aloud
Social: Sad, Loss, Coping
Text and Pictures: The pictures are simple and relate to each sentence in the book.
Summary: This book is about a close relationship between a dog, Elfie, and a little bo More...
Nov 16, 2011
Alyssa
rated it:
I loved this book. I have read it ever since I was a newborn. I've never been close with any pets and I haven't lost any pets close to me now. I am currently 13 yrs old writing this review and its still makes me cry. It's a very tear-wrenching and emotional childrens story and recommend everyone to read this heart warming tale between a boy and his dog. I cherish this story. :,)
Dec 23, 2008
Tracy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 05, 2012
Alicia
rated it: 
Well, can it be more blunt? The boy's dog dies and he's sad but decides that until he's ready for a new one, he'll give away his dog's supplies to friends who have dogs of their own. Sweet. We'll keep this one on file for when our senior dog dies and the boys are still young enough to need a book to help them understand.
Apr 10, 2011
I'll Always Love You is a touching book about a family dog who passes away. Most people can relate to this book about a family dog, but If i read this book in my class it would be to introduce death in a none scary way. This book shows you that death is a part of life.
Dec 12, 2011
Shelbi
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Elfie, the dachshund, is a boy's best friends. As they move through life, they both get older. One day, Elfie doesn't wake up. The family buries the dog and grieves the loss.
I would use this book to discuss grief and sadness with the students.
I would use this book to discuss grief and sadness with the students.
Aug 28, 2010
Elke
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This one is great to help a grieving child. We've got four older pets, and my little one is probably going to have to go through this process in the near future. This one will be on the top of my list to help her through it.
Dec 05, 2011
Stephanie
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The family is all very sad when Elfie, their dog, passes away. The little boy is comforted from knowing that every night he told Elfie "I'll always love you." He was sure that Elfie understood.
Oct 10, 2011
Nichole
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Bought this at a scholastic book fair at school because it reminded me of my first dog Freckles. It's about a boy who gets a puppy and how they age together. It ends in a melancholy way but I liked it.
Dec 10, 2011
Paloma
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Well... this book brings back many memories. I read this book in elementary school and i cried every time, and it is still one of my favorites. Definetley recommend it.
Sep 21, 2009
Megan
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One of my favoirte childrens books... when I want my face to leak that is. If you had or have dogs you won't be able to control your tears...
Feb 15, 2011
Monica
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When children's books are illustrated with inappropriate pictures, it makes an otherwise decent book undeserving of it's audience.
Apr 08, 2009
This is a great book to introduce the concept of death to childern. They could see that we can still love someone even after they are gone
Oct 12, 2011
This book is so heartbreaking. I read it when I was 8, and at the age of 23 just thinking about it makes me cry.
Dec 08, 2010
Katey
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 24, 2008
Charissa
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We played this one out live action for the rapt audience that parents often are (uh huh) and my sister, being the little hawk-eyed harbinger that she was, insisted on being the dead dog. I buried her in a yellow laundry basket and wailed "I'll always love youuuu!"...probably while wearing a cape. I pretty much assumed that a cape was THE little black dress of costumes and deployed it with abandon during drama sessions.
Apr 10, 2011
Missy
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i was given this book when my first dog died, i think its a good book at showing children that although death can be a hard thing to face, that remembering the good things and realizing how much you will always lovethat person/ or pet
