Rudi's Pond
What’s inside...
The young narrator's best friend, Rudi, is very sick, and it's hard for her to understand. When Rudi dies, the narrator and the other children in school help to build a pond by the big knobby oak to remember him by. A hummingbird feeder that Rudi made hangs by the pond, and one day a special hummingbird comes to visit. Based on a true story, Rudi's Pond is an insightful book that will help young readers to deal with loss. Once again author Eve Bunting and illustrator Ronald Himler have combined their talents to create a memorable picture book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Rudi felt when he was sick? Can you think of a time you felt similar?
What are some ways the characters in the story showed they cared about Rudi?
How did the pond help the friends remember Rudi? What are some things that help you remember happy times with friends or family?
Why do you think it was important for the story to talk about loss and remembering?
How do you think the story would have changed if it was set in a different location, like a forest or a beach?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story’s themes, reminding them that it’s okay to feel sad or happy as they reflect.
Use personal stories or experiences as examples to connect with the themes of loss and memory, helping your child relate to the story on a personal level.
Discuss the importance of supportive friendships and family, highlighting how the characters in the book handle tough situations together.
Focus on the symbolism of the pond and discuss with your child other symbols that might represent memories or important events in their lives.
Encourage drawing or creative expression to depict scenes or emotions from the book, fostering a deeper connection with its themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding grief and loss
Explanation: The book delicately handles the theme of losing a loved one through the story of a young girl coping with the death of her close friend, Rudi.
Real-World Application: Children learn to articulate and manage their feelings of sadness and loss, fostering emotional resilience.
Example Lesson: Commemorating loved ones
Explanation: In the story, the protagonist and her classmates build a pond in memory of Rudi, which serves as a physical reminder of him and his influence in their lives.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to remember and cherish memories of loved ones through creative and constructive projects, which can help in healing.
Example Lesson: Empathy and support
Explanation: The book depicts how friends and community gather to support each other, sharing the story of Rudi and expressing their feelings.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of community support and how empathy towards others' feelings can bring comfort and strength in tough times.
Example Lesson: Life and nature's cycles
Explanation: Rudi's pond, apart from being a memorial, becomes a natural habitat for wildlife, subtly teaching about the continuous cycle of life.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and observe nature's way of renewal and growth, understanding that life goes on despite losses.