Pistes d'exploration

In what ways do friends help you cope with difficult situations? Brainstorm examples (from your life, books or movies) of a time when a friend helped you or someone else get through a tough time.

As you read, discuss how details in the illustrations are related to the events and emotions of the characters.

Retell the evolution of the friendship between Joe and Carlos. Why does Joe repeatedly lash out at Carlos, and why do they continue trying to be friends? Would you react the same way?

Given that we can all lose friends for one reason or another, take a few minutes to appreciate the great times you currently have with your friends. In the style of the book, write about what you enjoy doing and where you like to go together.

Look at the book cover and make predictions about the story.

Go for a picture walk. What story do the pictures tell? As the book is read aloud, compare and contrast the picture and text stories.

Discuss how the boys help each other go through difficult times.

Discuss the way the illustrator depicts the boys’ emotions. Compare with another book by the same illustrator. What can you say about the style of art?

Given that we can all lose friends for one reason or another, take a few minutes to appreciate the great times you currently have with your friends. In the style of the book, write about what you enjoy doing and where you like to go together.

That Summer, The Stamp Collector, Michael Rosen's Sad Book

Mots-clés

Picture book , bicycles , death , friendship , grief , male protagonist , memories

Commentaire descriptif

When Joe loses his best friend Jay, he has a hard time letting go. But when Carlos arrives in town, he shows Joe that friendship is still possible. This touching story captures the emotions and reactions of a child struggling through his grief. Joe reminisces about the bicycle adventures he used to have with Jay and wants to take Jay’s bike, which has been locked up all winter, as a keepsake. When Carlos offers to help him fix the bike, Joe immediately suspects him of wanting to steal it. Joe’s initial distrust comes from his sadness, but it turns out that Carlos has his own story of loss. Written in the first person, the rhythmic text beautifully conveys Joe’s difficult and mixed emotions: “Everything explodes at once. I hear the sound of your name bounce off the brick wall of the school. Inside my ribs, big aching sobs suck and heave like tidal waves.” Illustrations are rendered in rich, yet diffused tones. Scenes with Jay and Joe are often shown in silhouette, surrounded by soft light, suggesting that they are memories. Fine details show the characters’ emotions: a protective hand on Jay’s bike or the shadow of Carlos with his head hung low in dejection. While there is a darkness that accompanies grief, this story points as well to the bright moments that make friendships so special.