Buddy

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the difficult realization that loving something sometimes means letting it go. It is a perfect choice for navigating the transition of moving a pet to a more suitable home or understanding why wild animals cannot be kept as playmates. William Joyce tells the true story of Gertrude Lintz, an eccentric woman who raised a gorilla named Buddy in her 1930s New York home. While the story begins with whimsy and humor, it gently shifts toward the reality of Buddy's size and instinctual needs. This beautifully illustrated chapter book helps children aged 6 to 9 process complex emotions like empathy and the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye. It validates the deep bond between humans and animals while emphasizing that true love respects the natural needs of another living being.