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Blackberry Stew
When her Grandpa Jack dies, Hope remembers the time she went with him to pick blackberries, and she realizes that he will continue to live in her and in her memories.
- GenresPicture BooksFamilyDeath
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 16, 2017
Continuing on with our series on fruit in science, art, and literature, I arrived at the next topic: blackberries. I was a little worried (read: a LOT worried...) that I wouldn't be able to find anything on this topic, but, as it turns out, I found three very nice books to go along with our experiment making blackberry ink...which worked VERY well, by the way!
This was the first book I requested, and I'll admit I was a bit put off by the title. After all, when I think of stew, I think of tender chunks of meat and vegetables. And I was rather unsure as to how blackberries would fit into that sort of dish. I needn't have worried. As it turns out, the "stew" here is really more of a cobbler. Like chicken and dumplings, but with a sweet, pie-like "stew" topped with a sweet biscuit topping. So that was that, and I felt better.
I ended up not using this book, but that had nothing to do with the quality or the story, as I was very pleased with both. But I decided that I didn't want to do the death discussion with children who are not my own, so I put this one aside. You see, it's actually the story of a girl dealing with the loss of her beloved grandfather, and it is an exceptional piece in that regard. Tender, moving, and showing grief across all ages, I highly recommend it as a place to start talking with kids about how we can remember and honor those who have gone on before us. But since I was talking more about the berries, this didn't work for me.
My only real complaint was that I didn't care for the illustration style. I appreciate the multicultural element, so it wasn't that. I just thought the illustrations were visually unappealing. Sorry, but I like what I like, and I really didn't like this style. Still, the story is good enough that it's worth reading even with the strange, flat, and grainy illustrations.
This was the first book I requested, and I'll admit I was a bit put off by the title. After all, when I think of stew, I think of tender chunks of meat and vegetables. And I was rather unsure as to how blackberries would fit into that sort of dish. I needn't have worried. As it turns out, the "stew" here is really more of a cobbler. Like chicken and dumplings, but with a sweet, pie-like "stew" topped with a sweet biscuit topping. So that was that, and I felt better.
I ended up not using this book, but that had nothing to do with the quality or the story, as I was very pleased with both. But I decided that I didn't want to do the death discussion with children who are not my own, so I put this one aside. You see, it's actually the story of a girl dealing with the loss of her beloved grandfather, and it is an exceptional piece in that regard. Tender, moving, and showing grief across all ages, I highly recommend it as a place to start talking with kids about how we can remember and honor those who have gone on before us. But since I was talking more about the berries, this didn't work for me.
My only real complaint was that I didn't care for the illustration style. I appreciate the multicultural element, so it wasn't that. I just thought the illustrations were visually unappealing. Sorry, but I like what I like, and I really didn't like this style. Still, the story is good enough that it's worth reading even with the strange, flat, and grainy illustrations.
July 26, 2008
Blackberry Stew is a book about a young girl coping with her beloved grandfather's death. She is reluctant to go to his funeral until her great-aunt helps her remember good times with her grandpa. After talking to her aunt and remembering picking blackberries with her family and eating her family's traditional blackberry stew, Hope realizes that her grandpa will always be with her in her memories and family traditions.
January 21, 2015
This was W's first book that explored the emotions surrounding death (or about death in general). It's a great book to start with because it explores how others can find peace with the death of a loved one by sharing great memories about that person.
September 2, 2009
This book fits in perfectly with the creating images strategy today! A really heart-warming tale of the love we have for those who are no longer with us.
May 12, 2012
Wonderful story to help children cope with grief. It would be better served with a different illustrator.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews