Always With You

Title: Always With You
Author: Ruth Vander Zee
Publisher: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing
Copyright: 2008 Ruth Vander Zee
Ages: 4-8
Pages: 32
Genre: Picture

Summary:
Kim barely remembers her mother. Her home was bombed when she was four years old and her mother is killed, leaving Kim completely alone. The day of the bombing Kim was sent to play under the coconut trees and after a few moments the earth shook and the village was engulfed in flames. Kim ran to her mother who was in a crater where their home had been and her mother whispered, “Kim, come to me. Don’t be afraid. I will always be with you.”
A soldier discovers Kim lying with her mother and tries to kill her, but Kim survives. Her vision is hazy and everything seems gray. Then different soldiers appear and carry Kim away, giving her water and even a piece of gum. The soldiers take her away and she began to get better, but the world was still gray. She is taken to an orphanage where she lives for the next 5 years. She went to school, and because she still could not see, her new friend Vinh helped her to learn. After school, she and Vinh would play in the ocean, pretending to be bluebirds. At night Kim would cry for her mother while Ong or Ba would comfort her. Kim is given a doll and begins to feel safe again. The memory of her mother keeps Kim from being afraid.

Recommendations:
I think this should be read to kindergarten or first graders to introduce war and how unfair it can be.

Potential Problems:
The mother dies, and a soldier tries to murder Kim as well.

My Reaction:
I liked this book, you are really able to connect with Kim and feel how she is feeling. You also get a sense for what she sees, only being able to see gray when everyone else around her can see.