I Remember Miss Perry

by Pat Brisson, Stéphane Jorisch (Illustrator)

It’s his first day at a new school, and Stevie is scared.Who will he talk to at lunchtime? But his teacher says, "It is my fondest wish that you join me for lunch today, Stevie."And with that, a bad day becomes a good one. Miss Perry always has a new fondest wish—something new to read, sing, celebrate. But then an awful thing Miss Perry dies in a car accident, and everything is suddenly sad and complicated.Yet Stevie and his classmates must find their way to happiness again. It would surely be Miss Perry’s fondest wish. Pat Brisson and Stéphane Jorisch have created a poignant story, appropriate for children coping with a teacher’s death or in need of comfort after any loss. Readers of all ages will be affected by its depth and honesty, and buoyed by its capacity for joy.

Genres: Picture Books, Death, Grief, Fiction, Childrens, Teachers, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 20, 2006

About the author

I have been writing picture books and easy-to-read chapter books for the last twenty years. My first YA, The Best and Hardest Thing, a novel in verse, will be coming out in May 2010.

I am a former elementary school teacher, school librarian and reference librarian in a public library. I now write full-time and do author visits to schools.

My husband and I have four grown sons. We live in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
Our last name has a short "i" sound and rhymes with "listen".

Reviews

[itselv]

هذه القصة عن تخفيف وطأة موت عزيزٍ للأطفال، وهي من أكثر الأنواع الفرعية لقصص الأطفال المفضلة لدي. وفي نفس الوقت، هي عن قوة أثر معلمة على طلابها حتى بعد وفاتها، فأثّرت فيَّ هذه القصة على مستوىً شخصي. لطالما تمنيتُ أن أكون معلمة أطفال، أن امتلك أثرًا طيبًا لا يُنسى عليهم، كما لم أنس أيَّ معلمة ساهمت في نموّي الإبداعي والعاطفي. لكن—وللهِ الحمد على كل حال—لم يكن مُحتملًا أن أسعى لتحقيقِ هذا الحلم، فبقي في بالي وإن تناسيته، أتذكرهُ كلما صادفت معلمة بروحٍ طيبة في قراءاتي، وأتسلى بتخيل نفسي في مكانها.

أحببتُ شخصية الآنسة بيري، شعرتُ كما أشعرُ غالبًا عند التعرف على شخصية بالغة مثيرة للاهتمام في قصص أطفال، حيث أتمنى بشدة أن أرى القصة من منظورهم وأتعرف أكثر على حياتهم الروتينية، حتى وإن لم يكن هذا هدف القصة. وزاد الأمر شدةً أنها كانت المعلمة التي تمنيتُ أن أكون.

الرسومات حلوة ومميزة. تجعلني أريدُ قراءة المزيد للفنان، كي أعيش في عالمها المشرق اللطيف لفترةٍ أطول.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're going to read this, have some tissues handy. Miss Perry is a joy. My fondest wish is to be as wonderful a teacher as she was : )

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal book to gently bring up the subject of loss and death --- and an excellent, gentle way to cope with and honor the passing of a loved one.

[Alex Janvier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death is an unfortunate and often unexpected surprise for many and kids are no exception. Death is a difficult topic to discuss and topic kids slowly begin to understand. This book is a good approach to discussing death with a child, because it doesn’t represent it in a scary light, but yet still manages to get the point across that situations happen and those we care about could be gone just like that. I do like how the text, when the news is broken, represents a child’s way of thinking by asking if she’s coming back. This book teaches us that it’s okay to remember and hold the thought of people passing in our hearts and minds, but to understand we must grow and be happy and we can both reflect on all the good a person brought and use that to motivate ourselves in their name.

[Shay Rundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a perfect book to bring up the subject of loss, death, and grieving in the classroom or to your children. In this story, Miss Perry was a beautiful, caring, and loving teacher, who always had her students' best interests at heart. Unfortunately, due to an accident, Miss Perry dies and the class has a really hard time coming to terms with her loss. Coming together, the students recall their best memories of their beloved teacher to honor her name and remember her for who she was. I absolutely recommend this book (but also to have tissues handy!)

[Megan Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly very sad, but it was very well put together. This book is about a classroom whose teacher passes away in a car accident. The students remember all of the fun times and things they did with their former teacher. This story would be really good for a lesson on feelings and loved ones who have passes away.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't bring this up immediately when your child's loved one dies, but maybe a month or so before grandma is expected to pass, or a few weeks after their dog has been put to sleep. Also a good book for educators to read.

My fondest wish is that every child will have at least one teacher as wonderful as Miss Perry.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beloved school principal, Miss Perry, has died in a car accident. In this bittersweet story, the kids in school come to terms with her loss.

FIVE STARS to Pat Brisson, with my gratitude for her commitment to write picture books that comfort survivors.

This FIVE STAR book might be helpful for anybody facing the harsh reality of death, whether a picture book reader or an adult.

[Mandy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book! However, this definitely a book for older elementary. The sentences are longer, and so are the pages, and the topic is a little heavier then what 1st graders can handle. I would recommend putting this in a 3rd-5th grade classroom, but I probably would not use it as a read aloud.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Perry has a "fondest wish" for everyday. But one day she dies in a car accident. There will be no more "fondest wish." As the class shares memories with their principal, counselor and their parents they realize that happiness is just a memory away.

[Chris Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I like this book a lot, it is built for a unique experience. Yes, it will focus on grief at all levels and specifically for children, but overall the situation is not as common as other books that approach grief with family members. The plotting of this book deserves 5 stars.

[Earla · Rating 5 out of 5]

IGs Child_life_grief_notes reviews books; I trust Miss Suzanne’s insights on books about grief so I can’t wait to read this one!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNS8PlqxC...

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't planned on crying at work but here we are, tissues and tears over a wonderful children's picture book about dealing with grief after a death.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I'll say I loved this story.
Second ... it made me cry! It's so sad, but in a good storytelling way.

Stevie's family moved and it's his first day in his new school. He's afraid, and his teacher realizes that. She lets him know she felt the same way on her first day there. Stevie begins to adjust. His teacher, Miss Perry, is loved by all the children; she makes learning fun, and every day she has a different fondest wish.

When Miss Perry is suddenly and tragically taken out of their lives the children grieve. The reader is sure to feel the emotion, as I did. This book could be a good one for children who have lost someone they love.

[Elizabeth]

I am not rating this book. However, please add it to your list of books that should come with a warning sticker on the front, so that as you're merrily rolling along enjoying the story/illustrations about a new kid at school who has a tough first day and his lovely teacher helps him through it you won't be surprised when halfway through the book a car crosses the center line and kills Miss Perry on the way to school one day.

NICE.

This is actually a fine book, and written with a great amount of care and sound psychological research (I'm just guessing), but I really do think it should come with a warning, if only to make sure a parent previews it first before reading it to a 3 or 4 year old.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s his first day at a new school, and Stevie is scared.Who will he talk to at lunchtime? But his teacher says, "It is my fondest wish that you join me for lunch today, Stevie."And with that, a bad day becomes a good one. Miss Perry always has a new fondest wish—something new to read, sing, celebrate. But then an awful thing happens: Miss Perry dies in a car accident, and everything is suddenly sad and complicated.Yet Stevie and his classmates must find their way to happiness again. It would surely be Miss Perry’s fondest wish.

Pat Brisson and Stéphane Jorisch have created a poignant story, appropriate for children coping with a teacher’s death or in need of comfort after any loss. Readers of all ages will be affected by its depth and honesty, and buoyed by its capacity for joy.

[Janiece Whitehead]

story of a boy at a new school that gets butterflies in stomach because he is worried about who he will sit with at lunch. That is until he meets Miss Perry. Miss Perry introduces her daily “fondest wish” and asks Stevie, the new boy, to join her for lunch. Not to long after Stevie adapts to his new school, thanks to Miss Perry. Miss Perry always had a new fondest wish until one day. One day the students, including Stevie, were informed that Miss Perry had died in a car accident on her way to school. This book provides a way for students to learn how to deal with death, especially in a school setting. Through the tears in sadness they were able to smile and remember Miss Perry, and her fondest wishes.

[Salsabrarian]

Gentle but honest treatment about death and grieving. Stevie's new teacher is Miss Perry, a compassionate and creative teacher whose eyes disappear when she smiles. Everyday she has a fondest wish for her students: that they be quiet so she can read aloud; that they all plant daffodils around the flagpole; that they sing Happy Birthday to the principal. The children clearly enjoy having her as a teacher. One afternoon, after an unusual start to the school day when Miss Perry is absent, the principal announces to the class that Miss Perry died in a car accident. The principal, counselor and parents are on hand to help the children understand what happened and to share fond memories about their teacher.

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think of all those who have or soon will lose loved ones this year, so this book is dedicated to you all at GR. Miss Perry is a teacher whose impact is positive with kids...until her untimely death by way of a car accident. The book is sad but very uplifting in a bittersweet way as kids learn to cope and remember Miss Perry for her lessons of love and kindness to others, and to honor good books (James and the Giant Peach is given mention, and I haven't read that one, but thanks to Ms. Brisson's wonderful story, I'll look it up in the library. It's the best I can promise you.) Hope everyone within range of my website at GR reads this and gains strength and hope. I love you all.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful picture book about a wonderful school teacher that passes away. First we get to see the good times with her class, then they learn about her death in a car accident, and eventually the kids all come to remember her fondly. Another great way to discuss such circumstances with your children if they should arise.

[Jesika La Bryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright 2006
This book is a book that I think can only be used with the consent of a parent, or the parent using it. It tells the story of a teacher, who everyone loves, getting hit by a car and dying. It is a death and dying book to help children cope. It would be great to use with kids 2-3 grade or higher.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very special book that should only be shared with a young children after you have read and considered the impact the child(ren). Miss Perry always had a "fondest wish", and after she dies in a car accident, her students are grief stricken, but then they begin to move toward happier times, as they remember that would be Miss Perry's fondest wish.

[Kristen Sewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I gave it three stars is because I thought that it was sad. I did not expect that the teacher would die. I did like how bright and colorful the illustrations were though and the book was well written. It could teach students how deal with loss or at least understand it a little bit more.

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story about a schoolteacher who passes away and the connection she had with her students and their grief. I stumbled upon this book at the library and think it's beautifully written whether children have dealt with loss yet or in preparation for the inevitable. It was sad but real and great teachable moment for my kindergartener.

[Mason, Natalie & Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story - my son was a bit concerned that the teacher died, but I think it's an important story for kids (although maybe not so young) about dealing with grief and remembering the ones we lose.

[Natalia Ortega-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried like a kid when I read this book. I'm glad I didn't read it to my boy. I can see a time and place for it...to help a child cope with a loss but I wouldn't read it unless the topic of death needs to be discussed right then

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that is a very good book. It explains a topic that is sometimes hard for a child to understand in a very simple way. The illustrations for this book are bright and colorful and help tell the story. I was not expecting the teacher to die and I will admit that I cried a bit.

[Patrick Antenucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that deals with the aftermath of losing someone very close to you. While the story is most certainly sad it is told in such a way as to feel uplifting. The illustrations, done in water colors, are well done, but the story and it's small details are what truly make it shine.

[Carrie Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very endearing. I think it is a good book to help children who are going through a loss of someone they love. This book made me cry, it was very good. I would recommend this to anyone with a child dealing with loss.

[Clarissa Childress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a bit morbid for young readers, but it can be necessary to teach a lesson about death. I honestly had no idea that she was going to die in the story. It was a good read, but pretty sad.