Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

I know I’ve mentioned my fondness for Patricia Polacco; have I mentioned that my second girlie loves her as well?  (She’s drawn to the emotionally complex, so it’s not surprising.)  When there is an author that one of my children likes, I try to go through his or her books slowly to make them last–I check one or two out of the library at a time, putting another one or two on hold when those are due.  I found The Lemonade Club, however, by chance; I was walking through the library and saw it on display.  Hmmm, I thought.  I like lemonade, and those two girls look pleasant.  I can’t lose with Patricia Polacco, anyway.  And so I checked it out.

Here’s the thing, folks.  I certainly didn’t lose–far from it.  But I have YET to read that book out loud to my kids (and I’ve had QUITE a few chances!) without giving myself an aching throat, trying to read past the tears.  And while I might have cried before I became a parent, parents haven’t a snowball’s chance in you-know-where with this one.  It’s a (lengthy) picture book about cancer, friendship, teachers and students, and making lemonade with the lemons life gives you.  It’s even a true story, WITH a happy ending.  As much as it brought me to tears every time, it’s still totally worth the read.  You really shouldn’t miss this one.

Just remember–my mother had to send my girlie for a Kleenex.