Poor, Poor Puff

Brody got this book for Christmas from Aunt Mel.  It comes with a CD in the back with 4 songs on it including the title song.  The book was written by Peter Yarrow - the Peter of Peter, Paul, & Mary so it is basically the lyrics to the song accompanied by some great illustrations.  Eric Puybaret used Hanalei Bay in Kauai as the inspiration for his illustrations for Honalee.  I think that it is just beautiful.  Josh made me sing the book when I was reading it to the boys because it was bothering him to hear it read.

So, today I put the CD on for Boone when he was playing and a few minutes later he came out with the book and a pained expression on his face.  When I asked him what was wrong he said "I am trying to not cry".  Poor Buddy..."What makes you want to cry?"  "This page here,"  He opens to the page with Puff in his cave with his green scales falling because he is so sad that Jackie Paper hasn't returned.  "I don't want to cry, but you just need to sing it."  So we sing the book and he turns around at that same part and buries his face in my shoulder and cries.  I am pretty sure he is in need of a nap but that didn't keep my heart from breaking.  What a sensitive little guy.   I just hugged him and held him for awhile.

I tried to explain about the happy little twist the illustrator puts in at the end but he just didn't care.  I think we'll just have to take a break from Puff for awhile.  Don't let this scenario keep you from reading the book, it is worth it just for the illustrations.  Even if it does bring up all those awful conflicted emotions about growing up...