Jasper's Day

by Marjorie Blain Parker

Today Riley's family is celebrating Jasper's Day. Everything they do will be in honor of Jasper -- sort of like a birthday. But it isn't Jasper's birthday. The old dog's cancer has gotten really bad. Riley knows they can't let him suffer any longer, but letting go will be the hardest thing he's ever had to do. Marjorie Blain Parker's tender story is filled with smiles, tears and the joy of special memories, and Janet Wilson's gentle pastels capture the depth of love shared by a boy and his dog. Together, they speak of acceptance, remembrance and the importance of cherishing life's every moment.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Death, Animals, Kids, Dogs

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

She was born on 2 March 1960 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of William Ross (a lawyer), and Sandra Joan Blain (a language arts teacher). She married US citizen Jay Gordon Parker in 1986 and they had three children, Steven, Casey, and Rachel.

Blain attended the University of Calgary and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Commerce in 1982. After marriage she moved to live in the USA with her husband.

After she won her first ribbon for a poem published in the school bulletin during third grade, she has said that she became hooked on writing. After moving to the USA away from her family and friends, she took a correspondence course on writing for children with the aim of gaining a hobby.

Reviews

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley and his family are celebrating a special, yet hard day...Jasper's day. Jasper is the family dog. He's old and has cancer. Today is the day the family will take Jasper to the clinic so he won't have to suffer any longer. Riley is sad but he also appreciates being able to celebrate Jasper's life by doing all of his favorite things and taking lots of pictures.

The story is very touching. I must admit that I cried throughout the entire book. The word choice and illustrations are very soothing and gentle. I would recommend this book to any one (child or adult) who has a sick or dying pet.

[Courtenay · Rating 5 out of 5]

On June 28, 2012, we did exactly as Ms. Parker explained in Jasper's Day for our 12.5 year old Springer-St. Bernard, Emily. Emily's Day. To this day, rereading Jasper's Day brings back all the emotions of a day celebrating our dog's life, down to the detail of having her euthanized in our arms. It's like our exact story but with a dog of a different breed/name. Poignantly written and emotionally charged. I wish there were more children's picture books on dealing with grief and death of a pet. I recommend this to anyone with a child who is about to lose a pet so they can celebrate life one last day.

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

12/2/17
Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grade range: K-4
I liked the book because it is REAL. It shows true emotion and helps you feel the real emotion of losing a pet and best friend. I will admit that I cried almost the whole time. When I was 6 years old I got a puppy and had her for 12 years. She passed away 2 years ago and it was the hardest thing. Reading this book brought back so many memories. Definitely a tear jerker!

[Amanda Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this about two weeks after we had our beloved Spike put to sleep and I have to say that this was a sweet, but tear jerking book about what it is to experience anticipatory grief when a family has to put a pet to sleep. Well done and beautifully illustrated and understanding of this painful experience.

[Mary Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very touching story of a beloved family dog's last day. They spend the day doing his favourite things and create many memories. I had to hold back to tears the first time reading it through as it brought back memories of when my dog had to be put down. Very good book to read with young children when the time comes to put down a family dog.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad story where a boy is telling the story of his dog who has to be put to sleep due to old age and cancer. Jasper gets one last day including all his favorite things. 😢

[Sarah Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Reaction: I really liked this book. This is a sad story, but happy as well. It makes you feel for the little boy, which shows the book is well written. I liked the illustrations, and the language.

Purposes: This book would be read aloud for enrichment to 1st through 3rd graders.
This story is something that children can relate to, because most children have had a pet/ do have a pet that they are close to. If you know a child has recently gone through losing a pet, this would be a good book to read to the class. I enjoyed how the family made the dogs last day a fun day, and even though the ending was sad it was still a positive ending as well. Kids will see that it's okay to be sad over losing your pet, but you can always get another one!
The illustrations added enrichment to the story because they were detailed, and life like. There was a lot of colors on every page, which made it a happy setting.

[Abby Peskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a family celebrating the life of their dog on the day before he is put down. It is extremely sad from the very beginning. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger than about 7-8 years old, because it is fairly long. Also, young may have a difficult time understanding the idea that a family would help a dog die. Most families would likely not want to discuss this unless it was personally happening to them. In that case, this book would likely be heartwrenching (as I cried during it, but am not living through this experience), but helpful. That being said, I would not recommend this book to teachers or other educators working with children who have not experienced death, as this would not be the best first book to read about that.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story about the last day in the life of an old dog named Jasper. This is a sad story that might be difficult for the youngest children, but it is so beautifully told. The illustrations are fabulous. The parents of a young boy got Jasper before their son was born, so the boy had known the dog all of his life to that point. They took the dog out to all of his favourite places before they took him to the clinic. The reason that day was the last day of Jasper’s life was because he was ill and suffering, so the story is told in a very sensitive and lovely way.

[Bry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried every time I read this book! It's definitely heartbreaking, but heartwarming, too. Though the book is sad, the topic is approached with sensitivity and humor. The illustrations are also fantastic.

Jasper's Day teaches children about death and euthanasia, and shows healthy ways to grieve. It also shows adults how to support children bereaved by a pet loss. This book is an important resource for anyone involved with children who have experienced the death of a pet.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job of addressing the issue of putting a pet to sleep (accepting and understanding, dealing with your emotions, and bonding with your family. Very sweet and realistic illustations.

[Yodelingvet]

The saddest book I've ever read. We read it a few weeks before our oldest dog died. We were bawling by the end.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming book about making your dog's last day with your family the most special day. A must-read if you have a dog who is nearing the end of their road.

[R.J. Kottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry and it still does every time I read it

[R.J. Kottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book made me cry. The pictures are done so well- they show the emotions of everyone so well.