REMEMBERING CRYSTAL

Friendship can live forever. Crystal the elderly turtle and Zelda the young goose are the best of friends. They read books together, swim together and share their fears and dreams. One day, when Zelda goes to the garden to meet her, Crystal’s not there. The other geese try to explain to young Zelda about aging and death, but Zelda doesn’t believe them. She wanders the world looking for Crystal and in the process remembers all her golden times with her friend, learning to treasure these memories. Loth’s spare and often funny compositions (in 28 two-page spreads) and use of cream-colored negative space add depth and warmth to his simple story of loss and consolation. When Zelda looks for Crystal “in the deepest ocean,” readers see her with her head stuck in a water barrel; when she remembers Crystal teaching her “about the world,” she has draped herself over a globe. The wee trim, only 6.25 inches high and 8.5 inches wide when closed, adds to the sweet intimacy of this little gem. This simple, honest presentation deserves room on the shelf. (Picture book. 3-8)