Always My Brother Jean Reagan Illustrated by Phyllis Pollema-Cahill Hardcover, $16.95, ISBN 978-0-88448-313-7 9 x 10, 32 pages, illustrations Children / Grieving; Grades 3-6

"Always My Brother is a sensitive, compassionate book about an ordinary, soccer-playing girl who misses her brother, John after his death. With her parents' love and support and her beloved dog Toby, she gradually returns to a semblance of enjoying her life. When she feels bad about this because she still misses John and does not wish to betray his memory by returning to life as normal without him, her parents remind her that he is always her brother, that he will always be with her, and that he would want her to be happy and have a normal life again. Always My Brother is enhanced with delicate watercolor illustrations that clearly portray both the everyday life before and after the death of a much-loved brother. Always My Brother is well crafted to appeal to children in grades 3-6."
—Midwest Book Review

"In a better world, no child would need a book about the death of her brother. But here is a tender, even joyful book about such a tragic event. And the last line had me sobbing."
—Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon and Grandad Bill's Song

"Always My Brother is a poignant book written to help families and friends dealing with grief arising from the death of a child. It is a direct and touching story that sensitively addresses this complex topic, a loss that should not be."
—Louis Borgenicht, M.D., pediatrician, writer, and co-author of The Baby Owner's Manual

Becky and her brother John were best buddies, telling jokes, caring for their dog Toby, and playing soccer. John was always there to cheer her up and help her out—until he died. Becky wishes everything could go back to the way it was. When she is surprised and feels guilty about enjoying a friend's birthday party, her mom wraps reassuring arms around her and says, "Don't you think he'd want you to laugh, even now?" She gradually realizes that she can still enjoy the things that they used to do together and that the memories of John continue to make him part of their family. Always My Brother is a sensitive, realistic story about the process of grief, acceptance, and recovery. Phyllis Pollema-Cahill's lovely illustrations bring readers right into the heart of Becky's family as they struggle to move forward.

Jean Reagan lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, Peter, and daughter, Jane. Their beloved son and brother, John, died in 2005. Born in Alabama, Jean spent most of her childhood in Japan. Since graduating from Earlham College, she has worked as a community organizer, a union activist, and a writer. She cherishes her years as a full-time mother when she also worked at her children's public school, the Open Classroom. In the summers, her family lives in a tiny, remote cabin in Grand Teton National Park where she and Peter serve as volunteer backcountry rangers. Bears visit them frequently. For more about Jean: www.jeanreagan.com

Phyllis Pollema-Cahill grew in rural Minnesota. She went to work as an assistant artist in a small design studio right after high school, and ended up being creative director for one of the McGraw-Hill divisions. She later received a degree in illustration from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and has been illustrating full-time for children since December 1995. She has illustrated over forty children's books and many magazine stories, as well as textbooks, activity books, posters, and book covers. Phyllis lives in the Colorado countryside with her husband and their two cats. She has three grown step-children and three step-grandchildren. For more about Phyllis: www.phylliscahill.com

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