Aunt Mary's Rose by Douglas Wood

Wood, Douglas Aunt Mary's Rose illustrated by LeUyen Pham 32 pgs. Candlewick Press, 2010. PICTURE BOOK. $16.99. This is a sweet story about the power of family love. Douglas' Aunt Mary tells him to take care of the rosebush so that one day there will be a little bit of him inside it. Douglas doesn't understand what Aunt Mary means until she tells him the history of the family rosebush. Through thick and thin, different family members took turns caring for the rosebush and in return a part of each of them lives on in the rosebush. This wasn't my favorite written story, but because it is a true story, it carries a sentimental feel. The text is a bit long and might be hard for kids to sit through, but it is a nice feel-good story about family bonds. EL-OPTIONAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.