Porcupette Finds a Family by Vanita Oelschlager

We received this book from the publisher for review.

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Illustration:🟃 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Porcupette Finds a Family, is a story about how a baby porcupine (called a porcupette) finds a new family after losing his mother. He wants to have an attachment to the bear family he finds, but is afraid his "bear" mother and "bear" brother and sister will leave him too. This causes him to act out his fears in

ways that jeopardize acceptance from his adopted family. However, with the understanding and help of Mother Bear, Porcupette finally accepts that he is truly loved and wanted despite, or maybe because of, his differences.

Amazing, BUT For a Very Specific Target Audience

On my first pass through I wasn't sure about how I felt about Porcupette Finds a Family by Vanita Oelschlager, but as someone who worked with children within the foster care system for years, I have to say that Porcupette is a realistic character for a child who is hurting and who misbehaves to either test people's boundaries or to push people away before they have a chance to hurt them first.

A child losing their parent and feeling the uncertainty of the world around them is not your average subject matter in children's literature, and it is in no way sugar coated in Porcupette Finds a Family.  This is exactly what children who are experiencing this in their own lives need as well do the people who love them, as a valuable tool to open up meaningful conversation and to help children understand what their feelings are about.

I recommend this book to children with abandonment issues, and the adult's caring for those children, simultaneously, not separately.  I also recommend this book to children and the parents of those children who are closely involved with a child who is dealing with abandonment issues.  It can be used as a wonderful teaching tool for those children as well, in order to help them understand what the other child may be feeling.  It also would be a smart move for any counselor to have this one ready and available on their bookshelf.

Porcupette Finds a Family

by Vanita Oelschlager

Illustrated by Mike Blanc

Published: 2010

Pages: 44

Our Source: Publisher

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I Don't Want a Rabbit by Ingrid Prins

I was given a copy from the publisher in trade for my review.  No other bargains were made.

My rating: ⭐⭐

Timothy doesn’t want a rabbit. But one day, there’s a rabbit at the door.

Timothy tries all kinds of ways to get rid of him, but what’s the best way?

And why doesn’t Timothy want a rabbit?

I Don't Want a Rabbit by Ingrid Prins is suppose to teach us about grief, but Timothy is a mean, miserable little boy, and his parents don't do anything to correct his mean behavior, or to talk to him  about what he was going through.

I am sure that my mom, dad, nana or poppy would sit me down and explain to me that it is okay to love a new pet, and that it doesn't take away from the love that I have towards my other pet.  Gosh.  We really are smarter than a lot of people give us credit for, so I think that most kids know that anyway, but still.

Anyway, the pictures are cute, and the book was okay, even if I do think that Timothy is a brat.  If he were my neighbor, I would march myself right over to his house and say, "Timothy!  You listen here. If you don't want that bunny, and all you want to do is mistreat it, you just hand it over!"

I Don't Want a Bunny

by Ingrid Prins

Illustrated by Jelena Brezovec
Source: Publisher

Published: November 2016 by Clavis

Pages: 32