Katie Woo's dog, Goldie, was very old. Goldie became sick and died. Katie will miss her friend. She is glad that she has lots of happy memories of Goldie.

No More Teasing Note From the Publisher: A mean boy always teases Katie Woo. It makes Katie sad and mad. How can she make the bully stop teasing her? The Big Lie Note From the Publisher: Jake's new toy plane is missing. No one knows where it is, except Katie Woo. But Katie wants to keep the plane. What should she do? Goodbye to Goldie Note From the Publisher: Katie Woo's dog, Goldie, was very old. Goldie became sick and died. Katie will miss her friend. She is glad that she has lots of happy memories of Goldie. In past blog posts I've talked about how I've been working with our school librarian to identify the social and emotional books in the library. This gave me an idea to start a new shelf called - Mrs. D's Picks. I laminated a little sign with my picture on it with a little blurb about what sort of books kids can find on the shelf. IT HAS BEEN A TOTAL SUCCESS! I went in the library yesterday and our librarian (who is a dear by the way) brought me over to the shelf and THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE BOOK LEFT ON THE SHELF. Build it and they will come! So since starting this little (sort of becoming big) project. I've been on the hunt for more bibliotherapy for all different ages. And they don't necessarily have to be ones I use in classroom lessons. Which brings me to the Katie Woo Series! These are SO perfect for our beginner readers. The three we recently received cover honesty, bullying, and loss of a pet. In the back of each book is a glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts for the kiddos. Check out the whole series here. http://booksthathealkids.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-review-katie-woo-books-in-our.html * Books That Heal Kids Blog *
One look at these attractive covers and young readers will jump into these beginning chapter books all by themselves. In Boss of the World, Katie is a bossy friend until her best friends don't want to be with her anymore. She changes her ways when she realizes how her selfish behavior affects their friendship. The story lesson is very straightforward and presented with limited vocabulary which adds to the readability. In Goodbye to Goldie, Katie's old dog dies and though this is sad for her, a suggestion to make a memory scrapbook about Goldie really saves the day. Both books have vibrant illustrations. Tammie Lyon has created very expressive faces for each character and the detail lends itself to pertinent discussions of picture and text and to the enjoyment of the story. Guidance counselors will find these books very helpful for character discussions and life changes. Parents and librarians will appreciate the short, yet contemporary, plot and setting. Teachers and students will find relevant discussion questions, independent writing prompts, and a section just for having fun. Recommended. * Library Media Connection *
Summary: Katie Woo's dog Goldie has just died. Katie is very upset, as Goldie had been her best friend all her life. Katie and her friends were sad, but when they started sharing stories about Goldie, they got happier. Then they decided to create a scrapbook of memories. This short chapter book for new readers helps them understand loss. Big Kid Reaction: Because of the topic, I pre-screened this story. This is a special book for a special time. Although some kids won't be upset by it, others (like my daughter) could very easily be saddened. The author does an excellent job showing how Katie and her friends looked beyond their tears to remember good things. I especially like that young readers who want to mourn on their own can read this by themselves. Pros: Losing a pet can be hard on a child, and this book helps kids understand and move past sadness. Cons: Goldie dies on the second page. You might want to walk through the bok and look at the pictures first before you dive in reading. Borrow or Buy: Borrow if you are just trying to help your child understand the feelings that come with death. If you have an older pet and young children, then I would buy. This is a book that you will likely read together and they will also use for comfort. If You Liked This Book, Try: CHLOE LOSES HER PET (The Playdate Kids) , WISHES FOR ONE MORE DAY , FLYING HUGS AND KISSES BESOS Y ABRAZOS AL AIRE Educational Themes: Although this is a chapter book, it is a story you'll want to read in one sitting. The idea for a scrapbook may be just what you need to help your child through their loss. The author provides discussion questions and writing prompts to help you, too. There is also a glossary in the back, though most readers would know the meaning of the words. Notes: A Reading Tub (R) volunteer submitted this review. This is from her personal library http://thereadingtub.com/displayBook.asp?id=2121 Literary Categories: Fiction - easy reader, animal stories, pets, death * The Reading Tub *
When I was growing up, it was quite a task to find a book series featuring a female protagonist who was not white. Ramona Quimby, Nancy Drew, the Sweet Valley Twins, 95% of the Babysitter's Club, etc. were all white. They are wonderful books and children from any race can read and enjoy stories about these characters, but I wondered what young black, Hispanic, Asian, and other races lost when they got few chances to read books about characters that look like them. If any race can read and love Ramona, shouldn't they all be given the chance to read and relate to a black character, or an Asian one? Why don't publishers make more of these books? Tough we are aware of the reasons why it's important for students to read books like this, there is still a paucity of books available that spotlight racially diverse characters. Nevertheless, there are now a lot more options for young readers. I love seeing girls with their noses in books, and I was struck when I saw girls of all races reading two series starring diverse female protagonists: Katie Woo and Dyamonde Daniel . Katie Woo is an award-winning series for young readers. Katie's series contains short sentences and nice illustrations for students just beginning chapter books. Her covers are as vivid and inviting as her stories! Katie is in first grade and she's had to deal with the loss of a beloved pet , a bully and lying . I love that likeable series features an Asian protagonist, though it is sadly one of the few I've ever seen that does so. http://substitutesftw.blogspot.com/2011/06/diverse-book-series-for-young-readers.html * Substitutes, FTW! blog *
From the first sentence I knew what this book would be about. Katie Woo's dog, Goldie, was very old. Goldie passes away and the book encompasses Katie's grieving process. At first she is very sad and needs her mother. Then she turns to her friends to remember the happy and silly moments of Goldie's life. Finally, she decides to create a scrapbook of memories that celebrate Goldie's long and happy life. At the end she kisses a photo of Goldie and promises not to forget her. It is a simple & familiar story, but a very good treatment of pet death for a kindergarten to 2nd grader. The language is simple enough for beginning readers to read independently and it will be comforting for children who've lost a pet to see someone in their position. The book may also be a good starting point for children with older pets to begin thinking about pet loss. After the story is over, the book includes a section with discussion questions, writing prompts and a guide to making your own scrapbook. The Katie Woo series is positioned to be good for groups of kids to discuss. Adults running book discussions with beginning readers should check out Katie Woo. * Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs *

Fran Manushkin is the author of many popular picture books, including How Mama Brought the Spring; Baby, Come Out!; Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story; and The Tushy Book. There is a real Katie Woo - she's Fran's great-niece - but she never gets in half the trouble of the Katie Woo in the books. Fran writes on her beloved MacBook in New York City. Tammie Lyon began her love for drawing at a young age while sitting at the kitchen table with her dad. She continued her love of art and eventually attended The Columbus College of Art and Design, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Fine Art. After a brief career as a professional ballet dancer, she decided to devote herself full time to illustration. Today she lives with her husband, Lee, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her dogs, Gus and Dudley, keep her company as she works in her studio.