The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye

Not since The 10th Good Thing About Barney or I'll Always Love You has there been such a peaceful and inspiring book to help children and adults cope with the loss of a pet. The talented multiple-medalist Jane Yolen takes on this difficult subject with her usual grace and poetic sensitivity, focusing not on the death as much as the life in the last day of an older cat named Tiger Rose. Tiger Rose's kitten days are long gone and she's grown too tired to stay, so she says her goodbyes to all the creatures and the joys of her natural world—from the scolding blue jay, to the dog and children she shares her home with, to a chipmunk, startled by her gentleness, to her favorite shady patch under a piney bush. In a final vision, Tiger Rose takes one last leap into the blue sky and becomes one with all—the earth, the air, the sun. . . . This is perhaps the most reassuring book on death available for children.

JANE YOLEN has written 300 books for children, including Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal; the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs . . . ? series; and our own Hush, Little Horsie. Her work has been recognized with two Christopher Medals, the Golden Kite Award, the Jewish Book Award, and many others for her distinctive middle and YA fantasy fiction. When she is not writing—is she ever not writing?—Jane composes songs, performs as a professional storyteller, and enjoys being a grandma.

JIM LAMARCHE has illustrated over 20 children's books, some of which he has also written. His work has been awarded the Parents magazine Best Book of the Year; the Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Picture Books; and the ABA Pick of the List. He lives in central California with his wife and children.