Blow Me a Kiss, Miss Lilly

by Nancy White Carlstrom, Amy Schwartz (Illustrator)

When her best friend, an old lady named Miss Lilly, passes away, Sara learns that the memory of a loved one never dies.

Genres: Picture Books, Death, Friendship

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Nancy White Carlstrom has written more than 50 books for children, including the Jesse Bear series with illustrator Bruce Degan.

Born the daughter of steel mill worker William J. and Eva (Lawrence) White, Nancy White Carlstrom was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on August 4, 1948. She practiced writing poetry, enjoyed reading books like Little Women, and wanted to become a children’s book author at an early age. Carlstrom worked in the children’s department of her local library in Washington during her high school years. She graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, majoring in Elementary Education and earning her B.A. in 1970, also studying at Harvard Extension School and Radcliffe from 1974 to 1976. In September of 1974, she married David R. Carlstrom, later a pilot and a marketing director at Fairbanks International Airport. They had two children—Jesse and Joshua.

She draws inspiration from her 18 years living in Alaska, volunteer experiences in Africa and Haiti, and raising her two sons.

Reviews

[Josie Miller]

Blow Me a Kiss, Miss Lilly is a tale about a friendship between a young girl and her elderly neighbor. Together they pick plums, cut flowers, and sing happy birthday to their fellow neighbors. This book shows the grief one experiences when losing a loved one while also detailing how to celebrate those who have passed away. I would recommend this for primary age children as an introduction into friendship and how to deal with death.

[Sarah]

For grieving children.

[Jeani]

Oh my goodness, this is just so sweet and kind and warm and wonderful.

[Rosa Cline]

This is a fabulous book to read to or to share with a child that is struggling with the death of a loved one. Especially if that loved one is elderly and or had been sick for a while. The little girl in the story has become friends with an elderly neighbor. They have special things they do together and the girl helps the lady out even when she can't remember her name, (although the little girl is sad that the lady can't remember her.)In the end Miss Lilly passes away and the little girl deals with her passing. Very touching book.

[Elayna Gilbert]

I thought this book was very cute. It could be totally relatable to little girls and they would love the story. Lilly tells Sara stories of when she was a young girl as they cuddle under the rainbow afghan on her sofa. They even blow each other kisses, their special way of saying they will always be friends. It is a very thoughtful story and perfect childrens book.