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Badger's Parting Gifts
by
The tale of a dependable, reliable and helpful badger who realises that his old age will soon lead to death. His friends learn to come to terms with his death in an enchanting tale. With full colour illustrations throughout.
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
November 1st 1997
by Magi Publications
(first published 1984)
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Community Reviews
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Feb 21, 2022
Hilary
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
reading with a child who has lost an elderly loved one
Recommended to Hilary by:
Margie
Early in this story poor Badgers dies, and although it is very sad, the story does a good job of explaining that badger was old and didn't want his friends to be sad but to remember the good times they had shared. His friends are obviously very upset but as life goes on they start to share good memories about badger and begin to dwell on the happy thoughts rather than the sadness.
Although I couldn't share this with a child without sobbing, I expect it would be an excellent book to share with a c ...more
Although I couldn't share this with a child without sobbing, I expect it would be an excellent book to share with a c ...more
A charming picture book dealing with the end of life. Badger is getting old and he begins to prepare for his own big journey. To each of his friends he gives something to remember him by.
Written for children, this book handles a difficult subject brilliantly. The illustrations are are enchanting and the moment of Badgers death beautifully handled as he runs down the last tunnel, throwing his stick away. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anybody faced with explaining to a child, t ...more
Written for children, this book handles a difficult subject brilliantly. The illustrations are are enchanting and the moment of Badgers death beautifully handled as he runs down the last tunnel, throwing his stick away. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anybody faced with explaining to a child, t ...more
This is a heart warming story that introduces grief, loss and the subject of death in a gentle way. Badger realises he is getting old and he sees his friends playing on the hill and he wishes he could join them. He is aware that he is approaching death and he hopes his friends won’t be too sad when he is gone. Badger has left his friends with some parting gifts which are fond memories that he hopes will bring them through their grief. The story describes the feelings of Badger’s friends now that
...more
January 1, 2022: I love this book. I've recommended it to and purchased it for adults since I first read it over 10 years ago. Today I read it again and it brought back all the memories of the first time I read it. I was able to read it without tears this time, just a smile with a hint of ache. What my dad taught me amounts to more than skills, all because a relationship of love and encouragement was transferred with those teachings. I want to be better about teaching joyful things to my childre
...more
This is such a charming book and so sympathetically written and so beautifully illustrated by the author.
It is a sad beginning in that Badger, a dependable, reliable type, always ready to lend a helping paw, is very old and he knows that he will soon die. But he isn't afraid of death, his only concern is how his friends will feel when he is gone. He tries to ease their burden by telling them that someday soon he will be going down the Long Tunnel, as he euphemistically calls it, and he doesn't w ...more
It is a sad beginning in that Badger, a dependable, reliable type, always ready to lend a helping paw, is very old and he knows that he will soon die. But he isn't afraid of death, his only concern is how his friends will feel when he is gone. He tries to ease their burden by telling them that someday soon he will be going down the Long Tunnel, as he euphemistically calls it, and he doesn't w ...more
Badger's Parting Gifts is a wonderfully laid out book which deals with bereavement in such a way that it is easily understood by children. After the unfortunate death of Badger, his animal friends reflect on their memories of him. From learning to tie a tie to ice skating, all the memories are pleasant and symbolic of the good life Badger left, as well as the lessons they all learned from him. Despite the obviously sad theme that runs through this children's book there is an element of hope and
...more
A beautiful reminder that life goes on even if we no longer play an active role in it.
Badger wishes he could still run and jump and play with his friends, Frog and Mole and Fox, but he knows he can't. Badger is old, and his body doesn't work as well as it used to. He knows it will soon be time for him to die--to "go down the Long Tunnel". And really, he's okay with that. He just hopes his friends won't be too sad when he's gone.
After Badger does "go down the Long Tunnel", his friends are very sad, indeed. They don't know how to handle their grief, but as the days go by, they each ...more
After Badger does "go down the Long Tunnel", his friends are very sad, indeed. They don't know how to handle their grief, but as the days go by, they each ...more
Feb 19, 2022
Margie
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Children and anyone experiencing the death of someone dear
A beautiful book about the memories that we are left with after someone dear has passed away. A kind and gentle read aloud that can be shared with children who have lost a friend, relative or animal friend - if you can get through your tears while reading it. Lovely illustrations.
A beautiful book to help explain the death of a loved one to a young child, they live on through us by remembering them and what they taught us.
Apr 17, 2021
Louise Goddard
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books
This book was wonderful. It shows the reader how the little things someone taught you can make a big difference, and will become precious memories when they are no longer here. I also loved the section at the back about how to use this book with children.
This is a sensitively written and beautifully illustrated children's book dealing with death and its aftermath.
...more
Badger’s parting gifts
By Susan Varley
This is a poignant and touching story about a Badger who is very old and has accepted that he will soon die. His only worry is the effect it will have on his friends. The time arrives and his friends are, as badger feared, desperately upset. However in time they remember the valuable moments they spent with Badger and the pain begins to be surpassed by fond memories.
This book deals with the subject of death in a very sensitive and responsible way. It conveys ...more
By Susan Varley
This is a poignant and touching story about a Badger who is very old and has accepted that he will soon die. His only worry is the effect it will have on his friends. The time arrives and his friends are, as badger feared, desperately upset. However in time they remember the valuable moments they spent with Badger and the pain begins to be surpassed by fond memories.
This book deals with the subject of death in a very sensitive and responsible way. It conveys ...more
‘Badger’s Parting Gifts’ tells the story of a badger and his importance in his friends’ lives. As Badger is now old, he is aware that he is going to die soon. This does not worry him though. However, Badger does worry about his friends and how they will feel after he dies. Before his death, he leaves some gifts for his friends to remember him by. When Badger’s friends learn of his passing they are initially upset. As time passes though, they slowly begin to come to terms with their loss. A year
...more
As one may see from the list of the books I have read so far, I do enjoy books that address sensitive subjects that others prefer not to mention. However, i believe it is important to allow children of all ages to explore their feelings, even those that make us feel bad. Afterall, as teachers, i think we should set an example that there is nothing wrong talking about sensitive issues but also important to be sensitive to other people's feelings. in order to do so, one may need to try and underst
...more
Badger’s Parting Gifts is a story about a Badger who wishes he could still run around with his other friends Frog, Mole and Fox. Unfortunately, because he is getting old now his body does not work as well as it used to. Badger knows within himself that it is time to die and lets his friends know that he will "go down the Long Tunnel". He is prepared for this but just hopes that his friends will not miss him too much when he is gone. One the Badger "go’s down the Long Tunnel" his friends are very
...more
A very useful book in regards to teaching or talking to children about death/bereavement which is a very difficult concept to talk about to anyone. This book is an excellent way to introduce the topic for the first time to young children, the story evokes positive thoughts about dealing with death.After Badgers death, his friends come to realise how their lives were enriched by his friendship and over time memories of him will only be good ones without the feeling of sadness. Badgers friends rem
...more
This is a lovely story about an old badger. He lives in the countryside with a variety of other animals. This is a very touching story, Badger has reached an old age and he is coming to the end of his life. When he passes away all of the other animals grieve their dear friend Badger and throughout the story they remember all of the wonderful things Badger taught them when they were growing up. He was greatly missed when he passed and the other animals all met together to discuss all the fantasti
...more
A gentle and sensitive story about the end of Badger's life, who understands that he is no longer as strong as his younger companions. Badger appears to be a grandparent figure, and is willing to accept that life cannot go on forever- nature must take its cause. It would be reassuring for a child to read this story and see a character so unafraid to leave, to see it as a relief rather than a tragedy.
The characters reflect upon their memories with Badger, the guidance and kindness that he gave t ...more
The characters reflect upon their memories with Badger, the guidance and kindness that he gave t ...more
Badgers Parting gifts, is about a lovely old badger who's about to die, he has lots of friends around him and begins to think about all they ways in which he can thank them just for being there for him. it is full of colourful illustrations. It has a sweet but sensitive message throughout about how his friends left behind think of all the wonderful things badger did for each of them, and everytime they think of badger its in a positive light. This for them helps them come to terms with the grief
...more
4,25 stars - English hardcover - I have dyslexia - Thanks Tom -
I realy loved the beautiful drawings in this book. 🦋🦋
I realy loved the beautiful drawings in this book. 🦋🦋
I cried a lot about this dead badger.
A children’s story that explores the topic of death. Badger knows he is old and that he must die soon. He is not afraid of dying but he is afraid of how his friends will feel. His friends remember how he taught them lots of different things and how he will not be forgotten.
Badgers Parting Gifts is an award winning children’s book which explores the importance and value of friendship in times of need. It tells the tale of a very vulnerable badger who knows just about everything. Towards the end of his life Badger leaves a note for his friends, which reads “Gone down the long tunnel. Bye Bye Badger.” The following day his group of forest companions discover that one of their dearest friends has sadly passed away. The story then continues to explore the ideas behind
...more
This is a gentle and tender book—one that could start or continue a conversation about grief and loss with a child. This might be one of my favorites so far that I've read on the subject.
The book uses euphemisms and direct language to refer to the badger dying, and gives some attention to Badger's preparations for death before focusing primarily on the community's rituals for healing. I like that the book uses animals—I think it gives a little distance from the fear a child might have of losing ...more
The book uses euphemisms and direct language to refer to the badger dying, and gives some attention to Badger's preparations for death before focusing primarily on the community's rituals for healing. I like that the book uses animals—I think it gives a little distance from the fear a child might have of losing ...more
First published in 1984, Badger’s Parting Gifts tells the story of a dying badger and his wonderful friends that he would leave behind. When I saw the title and the book cover, I was led into thinking that the book is about a badger literally handing out gifts before he dies. It turned out that no actual gift giving took place.
Susan Varley’s writing is so beautiful that you wouldn’t mind that the text on each page is longer than most picture books. I love how she incorporates Badger’s own though ...more
Susan Varley’s writing is so beautiful that you wouldn’t mind that the text on each page is longer than most picture books. I love how she incorporates Badger’s own though ...more
This book written by Susan Varley is an exceptional book because of the kinds of themes that it explores. It is a book about death but what is important to note that this book deals with these issues sensitively.
The Book is about a Badger who knows that he is close to the end of his life but he is not scared about dying. Instead he is only concerned about his friends and how they will feel once he dies. In order to prepare them for this he tells them that he will be going on a ‘long tunnel jour ...more
The Book is about a Badger who knows that he is close to the end of his life but he is not scared about dying. Instead he is only concerned about his friends and how they will feel once he dies. In order to prepare them for this he tells them that he will be going on a ‘long tunnel jour ...more
'Badger's Parting Gifts' by Susan Varley is such a sad, but heart warming story. The story sweetly explores the idea of death and loss and of how difficult it can be, especially for children. As we read the story we come across Badger's friends and follow them on their journey as they learn to remember the good times that they shared with Badger. As with any good story, the reader is left feeling uplifted by the end as each animal is able to appreciate the special times that they shared with Bad
...more
“Badger’s Parting Gifts” is a simple story of how a group of friends come to term with their grief on losing their beloved old friend Badger. Badger is old and knows he is dying. He prepares his friends for the inevitable as gently as he can. However, when he does pass away, his friends are grief stricken and find it difficult to cope with their loss. In time they remember all the good that ever helpful Badger had done for them and soon realize that Badger lives on with them in their memories.
I ...more
I ...more
This story is a sensitive and caring way perspective of death. When badger feels it’s his time to die his first thought is that of his friends and he hopes they aren’t too sad. Initially they are sad but when they remember all the good times and skills they have learnt from badger they realize that he lives on in them and that they shouldn’t be sad.
This story is written in a very comforting way. Not only does it deal with the sad feelings that we experience when we lose someone but it also expl ...more
This story is written in a very comforting way. Not only does it deal with the sad feelings that we experience when we lose someone but it also expl ...more
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