Have you ever lost a pet or something else important to you? Did you find it like the characters in the book found Tush? What's your favorite Jewish tradition we learned about today? Have you ever felt lonely? Did somebody try to cheer you up? What did they do?ĭiscussion topics for during/after reading:ĭo you ever think your pets are 'such a person'? Why do you think Mrs. A fine book for group or individual sharing. Polacco pays careful attention to detail, even to the age blemishes on Mrs. The character portrayals are vivid and lively, with a hint of humor.

The charcoal and watercolor illustrations are in Polacco's usual style, with large areas of white space emphasizing the characters rather than their surroundings. Katz's dialogue reflects her Yiddish background without being obtrusive. Katz holding his baby, and the story ends with him and his family visiting the woman's grave. The final illustration shows an adult Larnel with Mrs. Katz feels fulfilled, a bubee (grandmother) at last. Larnel accompanies her to say kaddish at her husband's grave, and attends her Passover seder. Katz's husband, her arrival in the United States from Poland, and the similar experiences of Jews and African-Americans. On his daily visit to the elderly woman and her pet, they talk about Mrs. Katz, widowed, childless, and lonely, and her young African-American neighbor, Larnel, when he presents her with a scraggly kitten. It is the beginning of a long friendship between Mrs. Grade Level: 3rd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)Ī warm, lovingly told story about an intergenerational relationship. Volunteers needed in June! Click here to sign up.

Mrs katz and tush