Sometimes by Rebecca Elliott

Sometimes by Rebecca Elliott
Buy Sometimes by Rebecca Elliott at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Ruth Ng
Summary: A must-read for any families facing hospital visits with children, or those dealing with long-term illnesses and disabilities.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 32	Date: May 2011
Publisher: Lion Hudson plc
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-0745962696
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Clemmie is Toby's big sister. Sometimes she has to go and stay in hospital. This story tells us all about the fun Toby and Clemmie have in hospital together, and some of the harder parts of being poorly too.

You're not allowed to take pets to hospital, but sometimes Clemmie sneaks in their pet bug Simon. Clemmie is fed through a tube in her tummy so she doesn't eat the hospital food, but sometimes Toby eats it for her. Well, everything except the peas! Sometimes Clemmie has to be brave and have injections, and sometimes Toby has to be brave too and eat the peas! We see the different games they play together, things they imagine, children they meet, as well as the times when Clemmie is very poorly and just lies holding Toby's hand tightly.

This would be a great book to share with any little ones facing a trip to the hospital, or for siblings of those who have regular hospital visits to cope with. It feels very matter of fact, but makes the hospital environment seem very safe and welcoming and not something to be scared of. It also shows a wonderful sibling relationship - I particularly liked Toby dancing twice as much at Clemmie's welcome home party, to make up for the fact that Clemmie can't dance.

The illustrations are beautiful, lots of lovely warm colours. Clemmie's eyes seem to sparkle on each page and I love her sweet smile. Their imaginative games look like enormous fun, and I especially like the picture showing all of the 'pets' they are unable to bring into the hospital which includes a polar bear, a dragon and an alien!

I thought this was a very moving story. My little girl took the whole 'poorly child' storyline in her stride and just really enjoyed seeing all the different things Clemmie and Toby get up to together in hospital whilst I, emotional mother that I am, felt quite choked up by the ending of Clemmie and Toby lying in bed together where it reads Clemmie just cuddles me really quietly and waits for me to go to sleep. Clemmie is the best sister and I love her. And not just sometimes. All times. A lovely story, definitely recommended.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

Further reading suggestion: You can read more about Clemmie and Toby in Just Because by Rebecca Elliott.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Sometimes by Rebecca Elliott at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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