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Murphy and Kate
A touching and sensitive look at coping with grief and loss tells of Kate and her beloved dog Murphy, who grow up together, and poignantly evokes Kate's sadness at Murphy's death, reminding youngsters how life continues.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1995
15 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Howard
28 books10 followersChildren sometimes ask, "Do you write about your own life?" I have to answer that I do not. The reason is simple: My own life is boring. Yet I would not trade it for anyone else's.
I grew up in a large and loving family--parents, grandparents, and three children all under the same roof, a big white house in Portland, Oregon. At school, I was able, but not brilliant. I liked to draw. I liked to play pretend. I liked dolls, too, right through eighth grade, and only fear of what others would say made me give them up then.
Most of all, I loved to read! And I dreamed of a time when, a grown-up married lady with thirteen children, I would write books.
But childhood dreams have a way of getting lost. It was not until I was in my mid-thirties, after marriage, a child, divorce, and remarriage, that I was able to complete college. By then, my family included not only my daughter Beth, but my husband's daughters, Cynthia, Laurie, and Shaley.
It was in college that an important thing happened. I rediscovered stories and remembered my dream of writing them. My first published book was a story for children (CIRCLE OF GIVING, 1984).
Since then, our daughters have grown up. Now we have seven grandchildren. I work at home, writing. I speak at schools. I teach writing. I give speeches to teachers, librarians, and others. But most of the time, I am at home, gardening, cooking, washing, and ironing . . . and writing.
I know my life sounds boring, but for me it is filled with all the adventure, excitement and drama I can find and make in books. To me it is the best kind of life!
I grew up in a large and loving family--parents, grandparents, and three children all under the same roof, a big white house in Portland, Oregon. At school, I was able, but not brilliant. I liked to draw. I liked to play pretend. I liked dolls, too, right through eighth grade, and only fear of what others would say made me give them up then.
Most of all, I loved to read! And I dreamed of a time when, a grown-up married lady with thirteen children, I would write books.
But childhood dreams have a way of getting lost. It was not until I was in my mid-thirties, after marriage, a child, divorce, and remarriage, that I was able to complete college. By then, my family included not only my daughter Beth, but my husband's daughters, Cynthia, Laurie, and Shaley.
It was in college that an important thing happened. I rediscovered stories and remembered my dream of writing them. My first published book was a story for children (CIRCLE OF GIVING, 1984).
Since then, our daughters have grown up. Now we have seven grandchildren. I work at home, writing. I speak at schools. I teach writing. I give speeches to teachers, librarians, and others. But most of the time, I am at home, gardening, cooking, washing, and ironing . . . and writing.
I know my life sounds boring, but for me it is filled with all the adventure, excitement and drama I can find and make in books. To me it is the best kind of life!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 25, 2018
Long lead-up, abrupt death of the dog (when she’s with him), and quick recovery. It’s got a sweet message at the end that saved it.
June 2, 2020
Sweet story about how to deal with the death of a pet.
February 27, 2023
This is a great book to talk to kids about death and grief. Definitely going to be one of my hospice resources.
November 18, 2014
This is a book about losing your childhood dog and learning to keep going in the wake of that, even though it seems impossible. I found this book a few days after my first dog died of old age, when I was still miserable, so I like to think she made sure I found it. I was an adult and the girl in the book is 14, but the cathartic message is applicable to all ages. Even though I think she stabilizes a little too quickly (she makes her peace with it in less than 24 hours), this is what's important to remember:
One day at a time, one night at a time, one word, one song, one smile at a time, Kate did feel happy again. But [...] it wasn't forgetting Murphy that made her feel happy. It was remembering him.
That's not to say I am capable of so much as thinking about this book without crying, though.
One day at a time, one night at a time, one word, one song, one smile at a time, Kate did feel happy again. But [...] it wasn't forgetting Murphy that made her feel happy. It was remembering him.
That's not to say I am capable of so much as thinking about this book without crying, though.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews