Caron Levis grew up in the city that never sleeps (a.k.a. New York City) yet confesses that even as a baby she slept through the night. Caron has an LMSW from Hunter College and an MFA in creative writing for children/YA from The New School, where she now teaches and advises. Caron never tires of visiting schools to work with kids using her books, drama, and creative writing to encourage social, emotional, and literacy skills. Things she'll always stay awake for include great theatre, star gazing, and turtle watching. Visit Caron online at CaronLevis.com.
Charles Santoso loves drawing little things in his little journal. He gathers inspiration from his childhood memories and curiosities he discovers in his everyday travels. He has illustrated several picture books, including The Snurtch, I Don't Like Koala, Finding Muchness, and Ida, Always. Charles also works as a visual development artist, creating illustrations for feature film projects. He lives and works in Singapore. You can visit him at CharlesSantoso.com.
*STARRED REVIEW* "In an honest and upfront manner, [Caron Levis]
gracefully reflects the complicated emotions of not only dealing
with loss afterward, but living with the dying. In Levis's soothing
narrative, Ida will always be with Gus, because, as Ida told
him,"You don't have to see it to feel it." The polar bears are
sweetly and expressively drawn, and the sky, clouds, shadows,
sunshine and rain in Australian illustrator Charles Santoso's (I
Don't Like Koala) softly luminous digital paintings all beautifully
mirror the story's joy and sadness."-- "Shelf Awareness, February
2016, *STARRED REVIEW*"
*STARRED REVIEW* "Inspired by two polar bears that lived in New
York City's Central Park Zoo several years ago, Levis (Stuck with
the Blooz) takes readers on a reassuring emotional journey that
explores friendship, love, and loss.... Levis's characterization of
caring, supportive friends is spot on.... The description of Ida's
passing is brief, poignant, and gentle, as is Gus's adjustment to
life without his best friend. Santoso (I Don't Like Koala) creates
gauzy backgrounds featuring the city skyline and the zoo's
greenery, and his slightly anthropomorphic bears convey a wealth of
feeling through their expressive eyes, smiles, and body
language."-- "Publishers Weekly, November 2015, *STARRED
REVIEW*"
*STARRED REVIEW* "Loosely based on Gus and Ida, the polar bears who
lived at the Central Park Zoo until Ida's death in 2011 and Gus's
death in 2013, this frank yet sensitive work explores loss and
affirms the power of friendship.... While the tone is gentle, Levis
is honest about the turmoil and anguish of terminal illness.... The
quiet, lyrical text is complemented by the soft, evocative
visuals.... Santoso's design is particularly inspired, with good
use of the gutter and perspective.... Although Gus experiences real
loss upon Ida's death, the book ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing
the strength of the friendship and Gus's memories of Ida. VERDICT A
tender and honest portrayal of coming to terms with death."--
"School Library Journal, January 2016, *STARRED REVIEW*"
"Ida, Always...stands out as that exceptional issue book that
expands the audience into the realm of being a book everyone should
read.... More than any other book on loss, Ida, Always manages to
tell a story that is just as good at comforting a child
experiencing loss as it is at explaining loss to a child who has
yet to experience it. This second quality lifts Ida, Always into
being "a book for every child.""--Kenny Brechner "Publishers Weekly
ShelfTalker, April 7th, 2016"
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
(5-8 category)
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