
Reach for this book when you want to nurture a child's empathy for the elderly or when your family is navigating the changing roles of grandparents. This poignant Nepalese folktale is uniquely narrated by Doko, a woven basket that has served three generations of a family. It tells the story of a man who, burdened by the care of his aging father, decides to leave him in the mountains. However, a profound realization sparked by his own young son changes everything. It is a powerful tool for teaching children about the dignity of aging and the cyclical nature of family care. While the premise of abandoning an elder is heavy, the resolution is deeply restorative and promotes a culture of honor and respect. It is best suited for children ages 5 to 9 who can engage with its metaphorical weight.
Depicts a father attempting to abandon his elderly, frail parent in the mountains.
The book addresses elder abandonment and the perceived burden of aging. The approach is metaphorical and rooted in folklore. The book depicts the emotional strain of caring for an aging parent, particularly when resources are limited, and the societal pressures that can lead to difficult choices. The resolution is hopeful and secular, emphasizing familial duty and systemic empathy.
A thoughtful 7-year-old who is beginning to notice the physical frailties of a grandparent and is ready to explore themes of family responsibility and respect for elders.
Read cold, but be prepared to discuss the father's feelings of being overwhelmed and the societal pressures that might lead someone to consider elder abandonment. The concept of 'leaving someone behind' can be scary for younger children without the context of the boy's intervention. A child asking, 'What will happen to you when you get old?' or a parent feeling overwhelmed by the 'sandwich generation' pressures of caring for both children and parents.
5-year-olds will focus on the basket's journey and the 'mean' act of leaving the grandpa. 9-year-olds will grasp the irony and the cyclical logic used by the grandson to save his grandfather.
Ed Young’s use of the basket as a first-person narrator provides a detached yet intimate perspective that softens the harshness of the folktale while highlighting the continuity of tradition. ```
Narrated from the perspective of a traditional Nepalese carrying basket named Doko, the story follows a family through several generations. Doko carries grain, wood, and infants. As the grandfather grows frail and 'useless' in the eyes of his son, the son places the grandfather in Doko to be abandoned in the temple ruins. The man's young son insists on coming along to bring the basket back, explaining that he will need Doko one day to carry his own father away. This logic stops the father in his tracks, leading to a reconciliation and the grandfather being brought back home to be cared for with honor.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review