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The Three Lucys
Junior Library Guild Selection Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Arab American Book Award Honorable Mention, Arab American National Museum After a young Lebanese boy loses one of his beloved cats when his village comes under attack, he must learn to cope with loss and hope for a peaceful future. Luli likes to sit in the shade of an olive tree with his beloved Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny, and Lucy Lucy. But when Luli and his parents go to the city to see his aunt and uncle one weekend, the cats must stay behind at home. After a fun visit with family, Luli is looking forward to going home and seeing the Lucys. But then Luli's hometown comes under attack and the family must seek refuge at his aunt and uncle's house. Luli doesn't understand what is happening and worries about his pets. Who will keep the three Lucys safe? And when will he and his family be able to return home? Recipient of Lee & Low's New Voices Honor award, The Three Lucys is inspired by real events of the July War in Lebanon. This tender story of loss, rebuilding, and healing is a tribute to the sustaining love of family, and to the power of the human spirit to hope for a peaceful future.
40 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 2, 2021
Based upon events in his own family's life, Lebanese-American author Hayan Charara addresses the devastation that war causes in this, his debut picture-book. Living in a small town in southern Lebanon, Luli loved his home, his school, and his three cats: Fat Lucy, Skinny Lucy and Lucy Lucy. When he and his parents went to Beruit for a week to visit his Aunt Layla and Uncle Adel, he left plenty of food and water out, never suspecting just how long it would be until he could return. Sadly, the 2006 July War (known outside of Lebanon as the 2006 Lebanon War) was about to start, and Luli and his parents found themselves unable to return to their home for over a month, as the area was being bombed by Israel. As he sheltered in his aunt and uncle's basement, Luli thought of the three Lucys, constantly worried for their safety. When he finally did return, it was to discover that one of the Lucys had disappeared, never to return...
I found reading The Three Lucys an almost unbearably painful experience, no doubt at least partially because one of my cats, shy but loving Emmie, was being determinedly affectionate to me as I was perusing the book. Sensing that I was becoming distressed - the sniffling no doubt gave it away - she became ever more determined to rub herself all over me, and to give me her loving little licks. This, of course, only made me sniffle more, as I imagined how it would feel to leave home one day, fully intending to come back to her, and to my other cats, only to discover that I couldn't. The story here is pitch perfect, exploring serious real-world issues from a child's perspective. There is a sense of the more complicated grownup world in the background, but Luli has his own concerns, and so do the three Lucys. At one point, early on in the book, Luli informs the reader that the land he lives in has been called by many names, and fought over by many people, but that "the three Lucys don't care about names and who lives where. They only care about drinking milk, running after birds, leaping into my lap, and sleeping in the sun." Similarly, later on in the story, when the adults are arguing about who is to blame for the war, Luli demands that they stop their shouting, telling them they are worse that the littlest kids.
The loss of Lucy Lucy is a devastating one, but it is also age appropriate for the picture-book audience for which The Three Lucys is intended. After all, the actual war took between 1191 and 1300 Lebanese and 165 Israeli lives, and displaced more than a million Lebanese and between 300,000 and 500,000 Israelis. One of the lives lost was that of author Hayan Charara's grandfather, while the author's little brother, nicknamed Luli, lived through the conflict. These facts might be very difficult for a young child to take in or understand, but the loss of a pet, something many children will have experienced themselves, is something they will immediately be able to grasp. Reading as an adult, I was struck, as always, by how much nature and the animal world suffers, as a result of human affairs in which they have no voice. Charara's moving story here is skillfully matched by illustrator Sara Kahn's watercolor artwork, which perfectly captures the emotional register of each scene. Luli and his parents' faces, as they race away from the area of the bombing in their car, the dark and shadowy scenes in Aunt Layla and Uncle Adel's basement, Luli's face when his mother tells him that Lucy Lucy is never coming back - these were all powerfully depicted, with artwork that highlights and accentuates the pathos of the text.
In sum: a wonderful, beautiful and terrible book. Wonderfully told, beautifully illustrated, and terribly heartbreaking. To whom would I recommend it? Not, perhaps, to very sensitive youngsters. But to older picture-book audiences perhaps, looking for stories about war, and the experiences of children and animals caught up in war.
I found reading The Three Lucys an almost unbearably painful experience, no doubt at least partially because one of my cats, shy but loving Emmie, was being determinedly affectionate to me as I was perusing the book. Sensing that I was becoming distressed - the sniffling no doubt gave it away - she became ever more determined to rub herself all over me, and to give me her loving little licks. This, of course, only made me sniffle more, as I imagined how it would feel to leave home one day, fully intending to come back to her, and to my other cats, only to discover that I couldn't. The story here is pitch perfect, exploring serious real-world issues from a child's perspective. There is a sense of the more complicated grownup world in the background, but Luli has his own concerns, and so do the three Lucys. At one point, early on in the book, Luli informs the reader that the land he lives in has been called by many names, and fought over by many people, but that "the three Lucys don't care about names and who lives where. They only care about drinking milk, running after birds, leaping into my lap, and sleeping in the sun." Similarly, later on in the story, when the adults are arguing about who is to blame for the war, Luli demands that they stop their shouting, telling them they are worse that the littlest kids.
The loss of Lucy Lucy is a devastating one, but it is also age appropriate for the picture-book audience for which The Three Lucys is intended. After all, the actual war took between 1191 and 1300 Lebanese and 165 Israeli lives, and displaced more than a million Lebanese and between 300,000 and 500,000 Israelis. One of the lives lost was that of author Hayan Charara's grandfather, while the author's little brother, nicknamed Luli, lived through the conflict. These facts might be very difficult for a young child to take in or understand, but the loss of a pet, something many children will have experienced themselves, is something they will immediately be able to grasp. Reading as an adult, I was struck, as always, by how much nature and the animal world suffers, as a result of human affairs in which they have no voice. Charara's moving story here is skillfully matched by illustrator Sara Kahn's watercolor artwork, which perfectly captures the emotional register of each scene. Luli and his parents' faces, as they race away from the area of the bombing in their car, the dark and shadowy scenes in Aunt Layla and Uncle Adel's basement, Luli's face when his mother tells him that Lucy Lucy is never coming back - these were all powerfully depicted, with artwork that highlights and accentuates the pathos of the text.
In sum: a wonderful, beautiful and terrible book. Wonderfully told, beautifully illustrated, and terribly heartbreaking. To whom would I recommend it? Not, perhaps, to very sensitive youngsters. But to older picture-book audiences perhaps, looking for stories about war, and the experiences of children and animals caught up in war.
January 12, 2018
As a cat lover, I couldn't pass by a picture book that features three cats on its cover, especially with this title. I couldn't wait to learn about the young child's perspective on these cats.
From the very first pages, the watercolor illustrations softly and sweetly depict the idyll setting in which the boy (named Luli) lives in Lebanon and the love he has for his pets.
But wait, there's more.
So much more.
So much more than I expected. This fictional tale is based on the author's family and their experiences in Lebanon during the July War in 2006. The story shows how the family flees from the bombing to relatives in Beirut and are unable to return home for a month due to the bombing.
The author and illustrator do a very good job contrasting the joy and levity of a fun family get-together with the fear, the frustration, and the anxiety the family shares during the month of bombing. Luli, especially, worries a great deal about his beloved pets who were left at home.
When the family finally returns home, the comparison of the scene of the bombed town (including Luli's school) to what it once was is dramatic. While the family's home is mainly intact, they do experience loss and sadness.
The last few pages, however, show the resilience of the people in Luli's town and the hope they have for the future. It shows the wistfulness of a more peaceful time, but also the healing that comes with the passage of time.
Overall, it's a powerful story, one not of a refugee family, but of a family who is internally displaced for about a month. They may not have fled from their home for an extended period of time, yet to some extent, their lives were still changed forever by the experience.
Note: This is a very emotionally laden tale and I would caution parents to be aware of the content of the story before casually reading it with very young children. It is we23not a light and happy tale about three cats.
The concept of war is described in a sensitive and tactful manner and there is no graphic violence in the narrative or illustrations. I believe this book is a good tool for explaining the senseless destruction that is the result of war and the need to rebuild and go on. Still, I expect that many children will be saddened by the story and may need comfort and more information about what happened and why.
interesting quotes:
"People call these places by different names. Sometimes they fight about who owns the land. But the three Lucys don't care about names and who lives where. They only care about drinking milk, running after birds, leaping into my lap, and sleeping in the sun." (p. 4 - unpaged)
"My heart feels as heavy as an apple falling from a tree." (p. 34 - unpaged)
"Lucy Lucy is always in my memories and in my dreams, where there are no more bombings and the world is at peace. Lucy Lucy is safe, and she sleeps anywhere she wants." (p. 38 - unpaged)
From the very first pages, the watercolor illustrations softly and sweetly depict the idyll setting in which the boy (named Luli) lives in Lebanon and the love he has for his pets.
But wait, there's more.
So much more.
So much more than I expected. This fictional tale is based on the author's family and their experiences in Lebanon during the July War in 2006. The story shows how the family flees from the bombing to relatives in Beirut and are unable to return home for a month due to the bombing.
The author and illustrator do a very good job contrasting the joy and levity of a fun family get-together with the fear, the frustration, and the anxiety the family shares during the month of bombing. Luli, especially, worries a great deal about his beloved pets who were left at home.
When the family finally returns home, the comparison of the scene of the bombed town (including Luli's school) to what it once was is dramatic. While the family's home is mainly intact, they do experience loss and sadness.
The last few pages, however, show the resilience of the people in Luli's town and the hope they have for the future. It shows the wistfulness of a more peaceful time, but also the healing that comes with the passage of time.
Overall, it's a powerful story, one not of a refugee family, but of a family who is internally displaced for about a month. They may not have fled from their home for an extended period of time, yet to some extent, their lives were still changed forever by the experience.
Note: This is a very emotionally laden tale and I would caution parents to be aware of the content of the story before casually reading it with very young children. It is we23not a light and happy tale about three cats.
The concept of war is described in a sensitive and tactful manner and there is no graphic violence in the narrative or illustrations. I believe this book is a good tool for explaining the senseless destruction that is the result of war and the need to rebuild and go on. Still, I expect that many children will be saddened by the story and may need comfort and more information about what happened and why.
interesting quotes:
"People call these places by different names. Sometimes they fight about who owns the land. But the three Lucys don't care about names and who lives where. They only care about drinking milk, running after birds, leaping into my lap, and sleeping in the sun." (p. 4 - unpaged)
"My heart feels as heavy as an apple falling from a tree." (p. 34 - unpaged)
"Lucy Lucy is always in my memories and in my dreams, where there are no more bombings and the world is at peace. Lucy Lucy is safe, and she sleeps anywhere she wants." (p. 38 - unpaged)
May 26, 2017
Young Luli likes nothing better than to sit in the shade of an olive tree behind his house in Lebanon playing with his three cats, the three Lucys: Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny, and Lucy Lucy. In the summer, when Luli goes to visit family in Beirut, he makes sure to leave the Lucys plenty of food and water. Beirut is exciting, and the visit is full of good food, music and especially books and stories. At the end of the weekend, they are almost home when suddenly there is a scream in the sky, followed by a loud boom and fiery flash in the sky. Luli, his mom and dad return to his aunt and uncle's home where they hope they will be safe, staying in the basement. As the day go by, and his family still can't go home, Luli begins to worry about his three Lucys. Finally, a cease-fire is called and the family prepares to return home. But what will they find after 34 days of fighting and bombing? Will their home still be standing? Or Luli's school? And what about the three Lucys? Have they survived the attacks? Will life ever be the same for Luli and everyone else affected by the fighting? I have always been interested in the way author's depict the impact of war on children and The Three Lucys is an excellent example of this. Young Luli learns how to deal with loss and grief, but finds strength within his family, and also sees how people are able to repair and rebuild their lives in the hope that the future will remain peaceful. Kahn's watercolor illustrations are a contrasting palette of peaceful warm and hostile cool colors, but capture the warmth of family love throughout. Be sure to read the Author's Note to find out more about the fighting that impacted Luli's life.
March 3, 2019
Text to Self: I had waited my whole life to get a cat. When I was twenty-five I went to the Humane Society and picked out Bella. She has brought so much happiness into my life. When the bombing started in the book and Luli can't return home to his cats, I felt his concern and worry. Most people say it's just a cat, but I know that Bella is more than that; she is family.
Text to World: This book is based on the war between Lebanon and Israel in 2006. My connection is to Syria. There are so many conflicting reports that come out in the news about the 'real' culprits and who is to blame. The big picture is often missed; homes, schools, places of worship are destroyed and people are dying. How scary for Luli to see this at a young age and how scary to be a child in an area in conflict today.
Text to Text: As I read this, I was reminded of the book The War That Saved My Life. Both main characters experience the terror of bombings. Luli misses his cats and worries about them while his family is taking shelter with an aunt and uncle away from their home; Ada had Butter to be a friend and to give her comfort.
Text to World: This book is based on the war between Lebanon and Israel in 2006. My connection is to Syria. There are so many conflicting reports that come out in the news about the 'real' culprits and who is to blame. The big picture is often missed; homes, schools, places of worship are destroyed and people are dying. How scary for Luli to see this at a young age and how scary to be a child in an area in conflict today.
Text to Text: As I read this, I was reminded of the book The War That Saved My Life. Both main characters experience the terror of bombings. Luli misses his cats and worries about them while his family is taking shelter with an aunt and uncle away from their home; Ada had Butter to be a friend and to give her comfort.
December 31, 2016
Cybils nominee for Best Fiction Picture Book 2o16.
June 15, 2018
Text-to-Text Connection: A connection between a book and another book/text you have read.
Reading this book reminded me of the book Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas. Both books are about a child who adores their pet(s). However, one child is facing losing a pet due to war and the other due to old age. Both children fear to lose their beloved pet and worry about saying goodbye. When Lucy Lucy and Lulu pass, the children are deeply saddened and all they could do was cry. Eventually, both learn to cope with grief and accept the loss of their pet. Luli still has the two Lucys and the girl from the book Saying Goodbye to Lulu gets a new dog but Lucy Lucy and Lulu will always remain in their hearts and memories.
Reading this book reminded me of the book Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas. Both books are about a child who adores their pet(s). However, one child is facing losing a pet due to war and the other due to old age. Both children fear to lose their beloved pet and worry about saying goodbye. When Lucy Lucy and Lulu pass, the children are deeply saddened and all they could do was cry. Eventually, both learn to cope with grief and accept the loss of their pet. Luli still has the two Lucys and the girl from the book Saying Goodbye to Lulu gets a new dog but Lucy Lucy and Lulu will always remain in their hearts and memories.
October 11, 2016
Luli is a young Lebanese boy who loves the three cats that live with his family. He enjoys spending time sitting under a tree with Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny, and Lucy Lucy. After a visit with family members in the city, his family is unable to return to their home on the border between Lebanon and Israel because, to their dismay, their town is under attack, and it isn't safe to return home. While they seek refuge with Uncle Adel and Aunt Layla, Luli is anxious because of all the bombing around them and because he fears for his feline friends. They return after a month has passed and make note of various degrees of destruction left from the violence between the Israelis and the Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia who fired thousands of bombs into the area every day. To Luli's disappointment, only two of his cats have survived, and he is heartbroken by the loss of Lucy Lucy. Appropriately, the author describes his feelings in this way: "My heart feels as heavy as an apple falling from a tree" (unpaged). Even while he watches his town being rebuilt and mourns his lost cat, Luli finds joy in remembering her and dreaming a world where there is no war. The text and watercolor illustrations beautifully capture his feelings and this experience. An Author's Note provides background on the July War that is at the center of this story. Although the book is filled with sadness, it also contains elements of hope and shows the resilience of Luli and those around him. The author has drawn from his own family's experiences in Lebanon in 2006. I am pleased to add this to my classroom collection because of the many possible ways in which it can be woven into various lessons on war, conflict, loss, and resilience. I can think of no other picture book that covers this particular terrain so effectively since readers are given a glimpse of war from a child's perspective.
October 18, 2016
This story of war is a heartbreaking relating of the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon, told from the viewpoint of a six year old boy who visited family in Beirut and on the way home he and his parents had to turn back to Beirut because their own town was being bombed. It focuses on his three cats, named Lucy: Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny, and Lucy Lucy, and all loved, but different. From the rush back to their extended family and huddling in the cellar, to hearing family argue and argue over the conflict, the boy shows he’s upset, and underneath that, shows the main worry about his cats. They had planned to be away only for a weekend, but are gone a month! Finally returning home shows destruction and two very thin cats, but one missing one. The book is serious, may be a good one to introduce other children in the world and how they are living with the tension and stress of conflict. There is a brief author’s note that tells some about this conflict and that it is based on a true story. The watercolor paintings by Sara Kahn follow the text with realistic portraits of happy and sad times.
September 11, 2017
Summary: This story takes place during the 2006 summer war between Lebanon and Israel. It follows a young boy who has three cats and is worried about them when the first attack occurs. Readers may need to grab a tissue!
Evaluation: This book does a great job with dealing with loss. Readers get to really see how innocent children are and a glimpse of the 2006 summer war that most people don't talk about.
Teaching Idea: I believe this book would be appropriate for the upper grades (4th, 5th). I would read the book to students and hope they would make a connection to the book and write about it. I would tell them my connection, that way maybe they will see that everyone experiences a loss of some sort. I don't want them to feel down, but at the same time kids should be able to express their feelings that aren't always jolly. After the lesson, I would pass out candy, that way students aren't feeling sad throughout the day :)
Evaluation: This book does a great job with dealing with loss. Readers get to really see how innocent children are and a glimpse of the 2006 summer war that most people don't talk about.
Teaching Idea: I believe this book would be appropriate for the upper grades (4th, 5th). I would read the book to students and hope they would make a connection to the book and write about it. I would tell them my connection, that way maybe they will see that everyone experiences a loss of some sort. I don't want them to feel down, but at the same time kids should be able to express their feelings that aren't always jolly. After the lesson, I would pass out candy, that way students aren't feeling sad throughout the day :)
March 17, 2018
This is a poignant book about a boy, Luli, from Lebanon and his three cats, Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny, and Lucy Lucy. On their way back home from Beirut visiting relatives for the day, they see a flash across the sky. Bombs! I hadn't read what this book was about, so it took me by surprise. Luli's family has to go back to Beirut to stay with relatives until the bombing stops, which lasts for over a month. Luli worries about his cats but also knows his parents are worried about their family, so he doesn't mention them. This is taken from the real events that happened in 2006 called the July War.
February 25, 2019
This book counts towards the Book Riot Read Harder 2019 Challenge Task #22: A children's or middle grade book that has won a diversity award since 2009
A cursory glance may make you think this is just a picture book about 3 cats named Lucy. Yes, there are 3 cats named Lucy in this book, however, this book is deeper than that. It is set in Lebanon in 2006 during the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The boy gets separated from his beloved cats for over a month.
Content warning /Spoiler alert for the younger set: one of the cats doesn't make it. :(
A cursory glance may make you think this is just a picture book about 3 cats named Lucy. Yes, there are 3 cats named Lucy in this book, however, this book is deeper than that. It is set in Lebanon in 2006 during the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The boy gets separated from his beloved cats for over a month.
Content warning /Spoiler alert for the younger set: one of the cats doesn't make it. :(
March 12, 2018
I liked this book because it was more than I what I expected. I originally thought it would be about a young boy who enjoys playing with his cats (which is true). But, the story tells a darker truth of an area in Lebanon where the main character and his family must leave his town due to bombings. This captures the life that people of Lebanon once faced and potentially go through currently. Unfortunately, Lucy Lucy dies and shows how children in those countries can face many losses.
April 15, 2018
"The Three Lucys" tells the story of Luli who lives in Lebanon with his three cats named Lucy. Everything seems to go well until Lebanon is bombed. I really like how this story depicts what the family goes through when their home is attacked. You can see how worried and frighten they are especially Luli who worries about the three cats. I think it shows the reality of what this situation would be like for someone who unfortunately experiences it.
October 15, 2017
This story is a good way to introduce loss and war to a child. Luli went to visit family and he ended up being trapped there because a war had broken out near his home town. He worried about his kitties he left behind. When they eventually went home his kitties were no where to be found. They had to rebuild their life from the ground up. I feel this book is easily relatable in many ways.
October 28, 2018
The Three Lucys is a good, sad story that shows a sad experience in Lebanon. The story touches upon war and bombing and how it affects a family and the community. The story is told from a child's perspective and how he worries about his Lucys. The illustration captures the characters emotions well.
October 29, 2018
Luli likes to sit in the shade of an olive tree with his beloved cats: Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny, and Lucy Lucy. But when Luli and his parents go to the city to see his aunt and uncle one weekend, the cats must stay behind at home. But something very unexpected happens when he is visiting his aunt and uncle and all he can do is worry about his cats at home.
January 13, 2020
A boy's life with his 3 cats and the things that change when war breaks out while his family is away for the weekend. After more than a month of war and bombings, his family comes home to a damaged house and one of the cats is missing.
A very 6 year old perspective on war. It's not about why or who or what. It's about not being home with his cats.
A very 6 year old perspective on war. It's not about why or who or what. It's about not being home with his cats.
March 2, 2020
Based on true events, this is the story of pets left behind while the family are away for a weekend, but their home - Beirut - is bombed, thus extending their time away.
On their return, one of the cats fails to return. The narrator finds comfort in the rebuilding of his city, and in his memories of his cat, Lucy Lucy.
On their return, one of the cats fails to return. The narrator finds comfort in the rebuilding of his city, and in his memories of his cat, Lucy Lucy.
April 19, 2021
True Story, children in war, pets - Based on the author's experience growing up in Lebanon, Luli is a young child with 3 cats. They live in Lebanon when their town is bombed. When they return to their home, it is to see buildings destroyed and lives lost. It is a heavy book, but not gratuitous.
March 12, 2022
There were three cats, all named Lucy, and they were well loved. Then the bombs came, and the little boy couldn’t go back to make sure the Lucys were ok. How long would the war last, and would there be anything to come home to?
This story took a minute to get going, but once it did, it became a powerful reminder that love and loss are universal.
This story took a minute to get going, but once it did, it became a powerful reminder that love and loss are universal.
March 13, 2018
I really enjoyed the illustrations in the book. It really showed the company the cats give him during this war going on. “Red streak shoots across the horizon and a loud boom fills the air.” Working in soft swathes of watercolor brings to life what the family is going through. This is a very moving story with a deeper story inside.
October 24, 2018
This story may be a bit much for some children because the loss. But for a lot of children they will be able to relate and if not then some children may be able to get it because of this book. The illustrations and wording is wonderful.
January 13, 2020
Tells the story of how war affects one Lebanese boy, his family and community, and his cats. It's a zoomed-in story, very much from Luli's point of view, really interested in how this one boy experiences a war and its aftermath.
June 3, 2021
Sweet story, portrays Arabs as humans and with respect, though once again is an Arab story about war
An important story to tell, but not one that's going to be a kid's favorite to be read over and over again.
An important story to tell, but not one that's going to be a kid's favorite to be read over and over again.
November 23, 2017
I cried.
December 7, 2017
A beautiful book....but can be a tough read and will definitely spark some conversation.
November 6, 2018
I think this story is a good way to introduce loss and war to a child.
December 5, 2018
This may be a book that readers read with their parents if the parents don't want their children learning about loss and war at school. If a school reading this book children learn that we can't hold on to everything and sometimes the things we love go away.
February 27, 2019
The Three Lucys by Hayan Charara- Arab American Book Award
Text-to-Text-
Our story today is written about real events like the book Dreamers. In both books, the author is writing about events that happen in their life. The Three Lucys is about a boy that leaves his cats when his family travels, but then war breaks out, and the family isn’t able to return home.
Text-to-Self-
Do any of you have pets? Have you ever left your animals at home when you go on vacation? In our book today Luli travels with his family and leaves his cats at home. How do you make your pets comfortable when you leave them at home?
Text-to-World-
Have any of you watched TV and seen stories of war? We haven’t experienced war here in Nebraska, but there are places on the other side of the world that experience conflict. People in those locations often leave their homes to find safety. Sometimes that means going with only what you can carry or have with you.
Text-to-Text-
Our story today is written about real events like the book Dreamers. In both books, the author is writing about events that happen in their life. The Three Lucys is about a boy that leaves his cats when his family travels, but then war breaks out, and the family isn’t able to return home.
Text-to-Self-
Do any of you have pets? Have you ever left your animals at home when you go on vacation? In our book today Luli travels with his family and leaves his cats at home. How do you make your pets comfortable when you leave them at home?
Text-to-World-
Have any of you watched TV and seen stories of war? We haven’t experienced war here in Nebraska, but there are places on the other side of the world that experience conflict. People in those locations often leave their homes to find safety. Sometimes that means going with only what you can carry or have with you.
February 20, 2017
This is one of those books that you look at and you think, what a nice, sweet picture book. Then you begin to read it and you see that there is so much more. It starts off talking about a young boy talking about his three cats, all named Lucy. He tells you about their daily routines and the wonderful simple life they share in Lebanon. Then in the middle of the book, on a drive home from their relatives, bombing begins. They must immediately return to their relatives and wait out the bombing (in the basement at nights) and worried during the days. This last for months before the cease fire. When they head home, you see the devastation of home and the land around it and think about what it would be like to live in a country like that. You also think about the Lucys. They call for them and after time, two of the Lucys are found. Sadly, one of the Lucys did not survive. Dealing with this loss is a way that students can deal with losses of their own and make some of the horrors of bombing of lands in a concrete way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews