Comfort Reads

In my column yesterday I wrote about picture books that deal with death and bereavement, mentioning in particular Judith Kerr's Goodbye Mog.

My favourites of these sorts of picture books are:

1. Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen

2. Granpa by John Burningham

3. Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley

4. Goodbye Mog by Judith Kerr

Here's the column, from Star Mag, 2nd April 2006

A comforting end

GIRLSOWN, the literature email group I belong to, recently discussed (and argued about) Judith Kerr’s Goodbye Mog. Mog is a lovely, fat, black and white cat and there a several books about her. The first, Mog the Forgetful Cat, appeared in 1970 and the last, Goodbye Mog, was published in 2003, making Mog 33 years old – a good age for a cat!

Of course, Mog’s fans were shocked when they learnt that she dies in Goodbye Mog. There were tears and many still say that they will never forgive Kerr for killing her much-loved character. (Some of these people are members of Girlsown!)

I think Kerr handles Mog’s death beautifully. The cat dies gently – she is tired and decides she wants to sleep forever – and then her spirit lingers on for a while so she gets to spend a little more time with her beloved owners and even help settle in the new pet kitten. Finally, she flies off, happily, into the sky.

I really love this book. It’s sad, sure – how can it not be when Mog is so adorable and I’ve known her for years – but the realist in me really appreciates Kerr for writing it. As I’ve said before, in this column, I think children’s books play an important part in raising the issues of death and bereavement. 

Goodbye Mog looks at the death of a pet, which most children, at some point, will have to face. It introduces this subject in a tactful and comforting manner. Strangely enough, it isn’t included on Elizabeth Kennedy’s list of children’s books about the death of a pet (childrensbooks .about.com/od/themesubjectbooksby/tp/petdeath.htm).

Kennedy writes about.com’s children’s book guide – a very useful resource for parents (and children and teens). However, she tends to focus on American authors, which is probably why Mog isn’t on her list. Never mind, it’s on mine (check out my blog), although my favourites are about death in general rather than just the death of a pet.

Back to Mog: Do read Kerr’s other books about her. For a list of Mog books and other books by Kerr, visit the HarperCollins Children’s Bookswebsite at http://www.harpercollinschildrensbooks.co.uk. 

Comments

[Veronica Shunmugam]

Hi Daphne,

I'd always wondered if I would be able to remember the books you recommend in your column when I finally get married, have kids of my own and when the kids reach the reading age.

Well, here's the solution to my woe!

Actually, I think I may go looking for these books much earlier since the few you've let me read (esp the one about the happy pig) makes me laugh :)

Have added your blog to my Favourites and will recommend to my pals, mums or otherwise.

Thanks much,
Veronica.