http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/613928

When Vera Was Sick

PreSchool-Grade 1-This story follows Vera from the onset of her illness, when fever, spots, and nausea confine her to bed in a darkened room, through her recovery. Mother is solicitous with orange juice, hot soup, calamine lotion, stories, and a big stuffed pillow to hug. Father brings flowers and sings Vera to sleep, and big sister June helps her pass the time with games of Chinese checkers. The tedium, discomfort, and confinement of an extended illness, ameliorated by warm surroundings and a compassionate and loving family, are well portrayed. Colorful ink-and-gouache illustrations capture a forlorn little girl with dark circles under her eyes, frightened by fever-induced hallucinations; scratching, scratching, scratching; and wistfully watching children outside playing. The pictures deftly portray the mood of the story, from somber at the start, to exuberant at the finish, as Vera throws off her pajamas, pulls on her clothes, and cartwheels out to play.

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