If Nathan Were Here

Summary: If Nathan were here, we would meet in our tree fort. . . we would take the shortcut through the woods. . . we would try to splash each other in the puddles. . .In If Nathan Were Here, author Mary Bahr gently explores the grief of a young boy whose best friend has died. With the help of an understanding teacher, a kind neighbor, and an empathetic parent, the boy finds ways to give expression to his questions and sorrow and to reach out to someone else who needs him.Mary Bahr's evocative text conveys a child's grief with honesty and sensitivity, while Karen Jerome's soft watercolors poignantly capture the tender nature of children's friendships. Quotes:Publishers Weekly"This affecting story is a solid choice for children mourning the loss of a peer."Booklist"The story offers no easy solution as it moves through the boy's anger and isolation to his rejoining life in gradual, unforced steps. The bright watercolors have a gentle, shining quality that enhances the book's hopeful message."Book Page"If Nathan Were Here is a warm, sensitive story of how one little boy is encouraged and supported to find his own way to remember his best friend. A comforting, empathetic squeeze from his father, a quiet time sitting by Nathan's favorite strawberry garden, and an understanding teacher who allows classmates to fill a memory box help the young boy think through the things he and Nathan enjoyed doing together. If Nathan Were Here is written in simple, honest language, and the warm, expressive watercolors by Karen A. Jerome tenderly express the sensitive story of children's friendships."School Library Journal"A simply expressed, sympathetic portrait of a boy's feelings of loss and bewilderment after the death of his best friend. . . . The soft watercolor illustrations have a fine, tender quality. The emotions of carefree happiness before the child's death and poignant grief afterward are beautifully handled. The sketchy figures are filled with life and feeling, and the warm red and yellow tones promise that sorrow will be overcome, although memories will always last."Author Bio: Mary Bahr (1946-2014), who described herself as a librarian by profession and an author by addiction, graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Library Science from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She won numerous awards for her writing, which includes over 125 stories and articles for both juvenile and adult publications as well as inspirational pieces published in five anthologies. Her picture book Memory Box (Albert Whitman) received multiple honors for its sensitive portrayal of a child dealing with a grandparent's Alzheimer's disease. In addition to writing, Mary led writing workshops, served as the SCBWI retreat Director for the Rocky Mountain Region, and reviewed children's books for The Five Owls.