#blogbookaday: The Rough Patch

Summary:  “Evan and his dog do everything together, from eating ice cream to caring for their award-winning garden, which grows big and beautiful. One day the unthinkable happens: Evan’s dog dies. Heartbroken, Evan destroys the garden and everything in it. The ground becomes overgrown with prickles and thorns, and Evan embraces the chaos.
But beauty grows in the darkest of places, and when a twisting vine turns into an immense pumpkin, Evan is drawn out of his misery and back to the county fair, where friendships—old and new—await. ” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: Evan and his dog are like two peas in a pod, they do everything together. But, sadly one day, Evan’s dog dies and he is heartbroken. He’s angry and destructive and sad and refuses to take care of his award-winning garden, until slowly time begins to fade his anger and he begins to care for the garden once more. And in the end, Evan finds a new friend that will never take the place of is dog, but might be the start of a new adventure.

Personal Reaction: I’ll admit this picture book got dark very quickly and I say that in the best way. Most books that deal with death for young children are quiet, reassuring books, but for some they need something more realistic – and Evan has very realistic feelings about his dog’s death. You could feel his heartbreak, sadness, anger and desolation and the darker pictures emulate those feelings as well. But as time passes, Evan begins to slowly care for the pumpkin vine and in doing so begins to work through his sadness until he’s ready to open his heart again. This is a true look into how death can affect everyone differently and although you’ll never forget your loved ones, eventually you will begin to heal.

Title: The Rough Patch
Author: Brian Lies
Illustrator: Brian Lies
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: August 14, 2018

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!