SuitabookFamily memory and bereavement
Sal spends Christmas at her grandmother’s house after Grandpa’s death and encounters the past through an old coat.
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Book details
Margaret Laurence - Author
A child’s Christmas disappointment opens into a story about family memory: an old coat carries Sal into the past and towards an unexpected connection with her grandmother and heritage.
Ten-year-old Sal is disappointed when she and her parents spend Christmas at her grandmother’s house, instead of at home, like they did before Grandpa died. In order to pass the time, Sal explores the contents of an old trunk. Searching through old photographs she comes across a little girl’s winter coat, tries it on, and finds herself transported into the past where she makes an unexpected connection to her heritage and her grandmother. This model tale of time travel was one of Margaret Laurence’s few forays into children’s literature and has remained a favourite of children of all ages. New art by the original illustrator makes this a beautiful book for Christmas and for all seasons.
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Sign in for personalised guidanceA child’s Christmas disappointment opens into a story about family memory: an old coat carries Sal into the past and towards an unexpected connection with her grandmother and heritage.
Sal spends Christmas at her grandmother’s house after Grandpa’s death and encounters the past through an old coat.
Trying on a winter coat from an old trunk transports Sal into the past, where she makes an unexpected connection to her heritage and grandmother.
Keep space for Sal’s feelings about spending Christmas away from home and Grandpa’s death. The past encounter may invite questions about family history without requiring a single interpretation.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: the current material supports only a cautious reading; another book-specific source is still needed.
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