• Age: 5 to 9
• Grade: k to 4

Today Riley's family is celebrating Jasper's Day. Everything they do will be in honor of Jasper --- sort of like a birthday. But it isn't Jasper's birthday. The old dog's cancer has gotten really bad. Riley knows they can't let him suffer any longer, but letting go will be the hardest thing he's ever had to do.

Marjorie Blain Parker's tender story is filled with smiles, tears and the joy of special memories, and Janet Wilson's gentle pastels capture the depth of love shared by a boy and his dog. Together, they speak of acceptance, remembrance and the importance of cherishing life's every moment.

Marjorie Blain Parker is the author of Jasper's Day and A Paddling of Ducks. Over the years, she and her family have shared their home with a banana king snake, a hamster, numerous fish and two ducks.

Marjorie Blain Parker's profile page

Janet Wilson is an award-winning artist and a published author, holding over 50 publishing copyrights in the children's literature field. She graduated with honours from the Ontario College of Art and Design as a mature student, the mother of two little boys. Janet's love of books combined with a particular talent for drawing children has brought her into the world of "kidlit." Her more realistic style lends itself to interpreting the stories of children's favorite authors in producing picture books. Sensitivity to the nuances of facial expressions helps young readers grasp subjects ranging from dealing with death, the arrival of a new baby, the tragedy of war or just wishing your new dress was a different colour. Her awards include Best Illustrated Book in the United States in 2004 for Jasper's Day, Canadian Information Book of the Year for her artwork in In Flanders Fields, and she is the first non-native artist to be awarded the Native Reading Week Award for her illustrations in Solomon's Tree. Janet is a career artist known for her fine art commissioned portraits and still life paintings.

Janet Wilson's profile page

• Short-listed, Alberta Children's Choice Rocky Mountain Book Award
• Commended, International Book Award, The Society of School Librarians International
• Winner, KIND Children's Book Award, he National Association for Humane and Environmental Education
• Winner, Our Choice - Starred Selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre
• Winner, Mr. Christie Children's Book Award
• Winner, Henry Bergh Children's Book Award, ASPCA

Although the story's theme is a painful one, this thoughtful effort will be of great help to families getting ready to face a similar situation.

Kirkus Reviews

An excellent story for a child that is dealing with the loss of a pet. Recommended.

Library Media Connection