Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Greenwillow Books (2018), Edition: Illustrated, 40 pages
Description
Farmer Evan and his dog do everything together and, especially, in the garden but when his dog passes away Evan lets his garden fill with weeds until a pumpkin vine brings new hope.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
In this exquisitely illustrated picture book, an anthropomorphic fox loves his pet dog and does everything with him, especially gardening. One day the dog dies (of old age--no brutal accident or anything), and the fox falls into a terrible grief, which is chiefly represented by his letting his
This slammed me right in the heart. It's a lovely examination of grief and how one can slowly move out of it, but it is *ahem* rough going. I found the choice of a fox for the main character given his pet was a dog slightly odd, but I got over it pretty quick. Recommended, but know what you're letting yourself in for.
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garden go to weed.This slammed me right in the heart. It's a lovely examination of grief and how one can slowly move out of it, but it is *ahem* rough going. I found the choice of a fox for the main character given his pet was a dog slightly odd, but I got over it pretty quick. Recommended, but know what you're letting yourself in for.
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LibraryThing member melodyreads
sorrow for loss of pet/friend/companion; grieving; returning to the real green and growing world.
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Evan and his dog did everything together, from listening to music to playing. Most of all, they liked to work in Evan's lovely garden. When his canine companion died, the fox withdrew from all of his usual activities, eventually destroying his garden in his anger at the universe. As weeds grew high
Highly recommended to me by a colleague, The Rough Patch offers a poignant depiction of loss and the grieving process, pairing a sensitively-written tale with beautiful artwork. Author/illustrator Brian Lies, perhaps best known as the creator of the Bats at the Beach picture-book series, captures the way that anger so frequently accompanies grief in his story, while his colorful illustrations, done in acrylic, oil and colored pencil, capture the emotional register of each scene. The most poignant moment, for me, was the one in which Evan, discovering his dog, presumably dead in his little bed, reached out a tentative hand. I did find it a little distracting that Evan and his compatriots were all depicted as foxes, as I felt (despite foxes being a particular interest of mine) that it didn't really add to the story, and was occasionally distracting for me. Leaving that aside, this is an engaging, thoughtful tale about losing a loved one, reacting with anger and grief, and eventually, healing.
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and poisonous plants invaded, he encouraged everything dark and destructive to grow. Until, that is, a pumpkin began to grow, setting in motion a series of events that would reintroduce Evan to his other friends, at the local fair, and even lead to a new member of his family...Highly recommended to me by a colleague, The Rough Patch offers a poignant depiction of loss and the grieving process, pairing a sensitively-written tale with beautiful artwork. Author/illustrator Brian Lies, perhaps best known as the creator of the Bats at the Beach picture-book series, captures the way that anger so frequently accompanies grief in his story, while his colorful illustrations, done in acrylic, oil and colored pencil, capture the emotional register of each scene. The most poignant moment, for me, was the one in which Evan, discovering his dog, presumably dead in his little bed, reached out a tentative hand. I did find it a little distracting that Evan and his compatriots were all depicted as foxes, as I felt (despite foxes being a particular interest of mine) that it didn't really add to the story, and was occasionally distracting for me. Leaving that aside, this is an engaging, thoughtful tale about losing a loved one, reacting with anger and grief, and eventually, healing.
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LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
After his beloved dog dies, Evan attacks his garden in his grief and lets it go to the weeds. The appearance of a pumpkin vine staves off his response and he ends up caring for it until it grows a huge pumpkin. His pumpkin wins 3rd place at the fair and a very special prize.
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Evan and his dog did everything. When the dog dies, Evan becomes embittered as a result of his grief, withdrawing from society and neglecting things which formerly interested him. Then he allowed a pumpkin to grow, and Evan's life changes. Cute book, but the illustrations are not as endearing as
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I'd expect in a Caldecott honor book. Show Less
Awards
Caldecott Medal (Honor Book — 2019)
Mitten Award (Top Ten — 2019)
SCBWI Crystal Kite Award (2019)
Charlotte Zolotow Award (Highly Commended Title — 2019)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Primary — 2021)
Massachusetts Book Award (Honor Book — 2019)
Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
NPR: Books We Love (2018)
CCBC Choices (2019)
Notable Children's Book (Younger Readers — 2019)
Picture This Recommendation List (Fiction — 2019)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018
Physical description
40 p.; 11.5 x 9.5 inches
ISBN
0062671278 / 9780062671271
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Pages
40