The Remembering Stone

by Carey Sookocheff

Alice keeps a perfectly round skipping stone in her pocket to remember her grandfather by — but the stone goes missing.

It looked just like a regular stone, but Alice knew it was different: It was perfectly round so you could use it to trace circles, and sometimes she could trick her dad into thinking it was a quarter. It was also how Alice remembered her grandpa, who taught her how to skip stones, and who passed away last winter.

Alice brings the stone to school for Show and Share, but when her classmate asks to see it again at recess, Alice discovers that the stone is gone! Her friends search high and low and can’t find the stone—but their friendship gives Alice an idea of another way that she can remember.

A gentle look at loss, grief, and how small everyday actions can connect us to those we love.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Grief

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, soft illustrations enhance this tender story of a young girl's relationship and then loss of her beloved grandfather. Together he finds the perfect skipping stone with her, and instead of using it to skip, she keeps and treasures it to remind her of her grandfather when shortly thereafter, he dies. When she brings it to school to show at Show and Tell, at first her classmates are unimpressed, until they hear the story of her grandfather. When she loses the rock, her friends rally to help, each bringing her a different stone with a unique theme.

[Kyra Hahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book dealing with loss and grief. Alice has a stone she uses to remember skipping stones with her grandfather. When the stone goes missing, Alice finds a new way to remember her grandfather and supportive friends

[Uri Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this 2023 picture book by Carey Sookocheff, Alice brings a small stone to Show and Share, explaining that she remembers her grandpa through it. (The picture shows grandpa's face on the stone in her imagination.) He taught Alice to skip stones and gave her this one, which he said would be perfect for skipping; she did plan to use it, but he died in the meantime. Alice's classmates are sympathetic. When she loses the stone at recess, they all find stones to give her instead. At home, when she looks at these stones, "Each one reminded Alice of how her friends had tried to help that day." (The picture shows their faces on the stones they gave her.) Then Alice has an idea – she uses the stones for skipping and then collects more. On the last page, grandpa's face is imagined on a new stone, and the story concludes, "Alice had found a new way to remember."

I think there are two profound lessons here:

(1) Alice is wise in choosing not to focus on her loss (the "perfect" stone) but rather on what she still has (valuable relationships with the living).

(2) Alice realizes that it's better to remember the dead not by keeping their possessions but by emulating their actions.

P.S. My favorite picture book that deals with a grandparent's death is Old Pig.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Alice brings her favourite thing to Show and Share her classmates are not very impressed. After she tells the story behind her simple stone they understand. Alice used to skip stones with her Grandpa but hers would always sink. One day her grandpa gave her the perfect round flat stone but she decides to keep it. When her Grandpa passes the stone becomes one of her most treasured things. At school however she looses her stone and everyone tries to help find it. Each person gives her a stone, but not the right one. Each stone however reminded her of all her friends who were as unique as each pebble. A heartwarming story about loss, friendship and acceptance. The softly colored illustrations add to the theme of remembering and loving.

[Khurin W. F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ini menceritakan Alice, seorang gadis cilik yang membawa batu bulat untuk dijadikan objek yang akan dia ceritakan kepada teman sekelasnya. Ternyata yang membuat batu tersebut istimewa adalah karena menyimpan kenangan antara dia dengan mendiang kakeknya. Namun, sayangnya batu tersebut hilang saat jam istirahat. Teman-teman Alice yang tahu bahwa batu itu berharga, membantu mencari. Meskipun akhirnya tetap tidak ketemu. Buku ini mengajak pembaca melihat cara Alice agar tetap merasa terhubung dengan mendiang kakeknya. Meskipun batu pemberian kakek tersebut hilang, dia menemukan cara lain untuk mengenang orang-orang terkasihnya, baik itu kakek yang sudah meninggal maupun teman-teman yang berada di sisinya.

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this poignant picture book about a stone that reminds Alice of her beloved late Grandpa. This story contains very relatable themes and plot points -- show and share, thinking of the uses of a special rock, skipping stones, friendship, family, losing an important item -- that are sure to keep young readers engaged. Children who have lost a loved one will also benefit from hearing this important story.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eeeh, I am not a fan of the artwork. At the same time, it does help set the mood for this book. The story was good.

This is about grief and loss, letting go and remembering loved ones in our hearts. It was sort of serious, yet hopeful. The muted colors and wonky art style did help set that mood and brought a somber tone. I'm sure people love the artwork, it simply doesn't work for me. I thought the story was good. It made me feel.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle, appealing story about the love of family and support of friends, with perfect illustrations to match.

I will seek out this author again.

(Hoopla lists this book as having 502 pages. It's a picture book with about 40.)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl shares a stone at Sean's towel. She keeps it to remember her grandfather who gave it to her the last time they skipped rocks together. when she loses the stone, her classmates help her try to find it. It's always heartwarming to see children being compassionate.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a super sweet book and wonderful to use with children who are experiencing grief, but beware, it is a tear-jerker

[C2015 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely