The Important Things (2010)

by Peter Carnavas

Traditional Chinese edition of The important things. It is a children's story for elementary school kids. It helps young children face the difficult emotion when a father walks out. A little boy was sad and lost when his father left the family. His mother decides to give away his father's things, because she doesn't think they are important any more. But to the little boy, they remind him of his father and how he used to be. And they are VERY IMPORTANT to him. In Chinese. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Genres: Picture Books

Unknown Binding

First published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[agda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delicadeza em mostrar a importância da criança em saber de onde vem.

[Sean Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carnavas Caravan #4
Wonderful tale exploring grief and loss and what is important to some are not to others and vice versa. It also talks about remembering - some choose to remember, some choose to forget a poet once wrote - this explores that as well.
Emotionally stimulating and wonderfully written.

[Neeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very emotional. Suitable for families that are living with the reality of an absent dad. Well done on broaching topics that people usually avoid.

[carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭 lindo

[Alexis Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Debo ser honesto, la primera vez que leí y observé el libro no entendí el mensaje que quería dar. Tuve que volver a leer y ponerme más tiempo a pensar para poder obtener una idea que, por lo menos para mi, es la que quiere dar el libro. En este caso, que hay que saber cómo llevar el rompimiento de los padres para que los niños se adapten en lugar de quitarles todo de raíz. A final de cuentas familia es familia, y todos deben de poner de su parte para superar la separación. Porque para todos es difícil.

Esas dos estrellas son por la edición y las ilustraciones. Me agradaron mucho los dibujos y la manera de representar a la familia conformada por la madre, el hijo y el perro, así como las expresiones y acciones de la madre al tener que ser madre y padre al mismo tiempo.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

.."father had faded from their lives."

and so this it the tale of a little boy and his mum and how they each try to cope with the father who just didn't come back.

Water colour/drawn in a style very similar to Stephen Michael King - which explains why I was so drawn to this book cover - the illustrations are a wonderful mix of muted tones with bright highlights.

As readers, we are brought to the sad realisation that the boy is missing his dad, while mum was 'trying to forget'. They find their way to a stronger relationship together, whilst still keeping a few simple memories alive for the boy through the 'things' that dad left behind.

As a parent I am soooo angry with dad (!) But the story finishes on positive, happy notes that lingered longer than me wanting to beat up on dead-beat dad.