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Always and Forever

Otter, Mole, Fox and Hare live happily together, each responsible for some aspect of the work that families share. Then Fox becomes ill and dies. Otter, Mole and Hare are steeped in sadness. “Fox’s family missed him so much. They felt lost without him.” They grieve throughout the winter. In spring, when Squirrel comes to visit, she tries to comfort them without success, until she begins to remember the funny things she doesn’t miss about Fox—like his awful cooking and his disastrous attempts to fix things. Alan Durant acknowledges the importance of time, laughter, and above all, memories, in a picture book about death—and life, and love--for young children. Highly Commended, 2005 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2005 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Illustrated by Debi Gliori

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-6
Age Range: Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3) PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Animals (Fiction) Death and Dying Grief and Loss Hope and Healing

Publisher: Harcourt
Publish Year: 2004
Pages: 24
ISBN: 015216636x

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Durant

Always and Forever