My favorite memories by Sepdeh Sarihi. Illus. by Julie Voelk

When her parents tell her that the family is moving to another country, the little girl is quite excited particularly as she is allowed to take her favorite things. But she changes her mind when she discovers that she cannot fit her aquarium, her wooden chair that her grandpa made, the pear tree that was the exact same age as she is, her bus driver and her best friend into the small suitcase her parents give her.

"In that case, I cannot come," she tells her mother and wanders down to the ocean, another of her favourite things. But there, she has an idea and discovers a way that perhaps she can go with her family and have her favourite things. And it takes sharp eyes to see her solution!

Moving to a new place, even if it is not a new country, can be a tough time for children as they don't yet have the knowledge and wisdom to understand that while it may mean leaving the old and familiar, it is also an opportunity to explore the new and unknown so this touching story, translated from the original German is one that will resonate with many of our students. It will also help them understand that while we may have to leave some things behind physically, there is always the memory that we can revisit when we want to remember them.

With illustrations as gentle as the text and its message, this is something new and different to share and talk about. If they were asked to pack their favourite things, what would they be? what would they do with those things that are too big for the suitcase?

Barbara Braxton