The Return of Rex and Ethel Hardcover – Import, 1 April 2000

This book is certainly about the death of two pets, though it is clearly by old age and not neglect as suggested by one reviewer. The two girl owners of these dogs console each other and create a wonderfully quirky memorial "animal rest stop." Some fantastic/magical elements and illustrations make the book somewhat dreamy at times. A frank and touching approach to help children explore death and grief. I have read this book with individual and groups of children 7-10 years old with good results.

I first read this book when I was only 7, long before it was ever published. My Mom was working on a project for a class at ETSU where she was able to sample such unpublished books. I was enthralled after I finished reading. Yes, the book deals with death, but it says ages 6-9 on the book and on the website. If a child is not already learning to deal with entropy and death by that age, then what will happen when it's shoved in their face later? It would be traumatic. I've had five very good friends die throughout my life, and the ONLY reason I was able to stay afloat during those times was because I came to accept death as a natural occurrence early on.On the fact that this book does not rhyme, I must ask the question: Why does it need to? The man won an award (for a previous book) for poetry written for children. The world has changed. The last time popular adult poetry was still written mostly in meter, we were fighting the Civil War (okay, so that might be a slight exaggeration, but it was in the late 1800s).I would not recommend this book for children under the recommended age. Wow, that seems obvious, doesn't it? But for children (6+) and parents who are willing to delve into a very mild pictorial of death, definitely buy this book. It's more than worth your time.

I bought this book; because we gave a Pug puppy to the illustrator. It’s a sweet story, with beautiful pictures.