The second part of the book is about Badgers friends and the things he taught them to do. Each of them have a special memory of Badger as he taught them different things to do such as skate and they see it as a parting gift or treasure. At the end one of his friends goes to the hill and says hello to badger and hopes that he can hear him. This is such a charming book and so sympathetically written and so beautifully illustrated by the author.

Badger’s Parting Gifts is a story about a Badger who wishes he could still run around with his other friends Frog, Mole and Fox. Unfortunately, because he is getting old now his body does not work as well as it used to. Badger knows within himself that it is time to die and lets his friends know that he will "go down the Long Tunnel". He is prepared for this but just hopes that his friends will not miss him too much when he is gone. One the Badger "go’s down the Long Tunnel" his friends are very sad indeed and they are not sure how to cope with the death of their dear friend. Eventually they start to remember the special things Badger taught them to do and in some ways take comfort in this. They all share the stories they remember of Badger and this is in turn makes them happy. My favorite part in the book is Fox’s memory of Badger, in which Badger showed Fox how to tie a knot properly. Susan Varley handled it with such gentleness. This book made me think that badgers are better friends than humans! At least in Badger’s case!Within the context of Religious Education being taught to younger children I think Badgers Parting Gifts is a good book to explore with them and to use as a stimulus. Once the story has been read to a group of children this would then enable the themes to be explored as a vehicle for questioning, communication and discussion. Using a story within Religious Education is very common within the younger years of primary education as numerous children’s books explore a message or moral which is an important area of this subject. This is without a doubt apparent within this piece of literature.

Badger’s Parting Gifts’ tells the story of a badger and his importance in his friends’ lives. As Badger is now old, he is aware that he is going to die soon. This does not worry him though. However, Badger does worry about his friends and how they will feel after he dies. Before his death, he leaves some gifts for his friends to remember him by. When Badger’s friends learn of his passing they are initially upset. As time passes though, they slowly begin to come to terms with their loss. A year later we see the friends reminisce about Badger and all the wonderful times they spent together. They discuss skills Badger taught them and lessons they learned from him. They soon come to see that they will always remember Badger through his ‘parting gifts’ and realise that he will always be with them, in some way.

There is so much to love about Susan Varley’s picture book. Her pen and ink, and watercolor illustrations are wonderful and teeming with affection. Badger’s Parting Gifts not only shows us that our deceased loved ones live on through warm and loving memories of them but also when we share with others the things they’ve taught us when they were still alive. I think this is a brilliant book to read to a class of children as it explores a subject that can somewhat be difficult to breach. Due to the nature of the book and the way in which the story is portrayed I feel that it’s suitable for children in Key Stage One and perhaps the earlier stages of Key Stage Two. The way in which the story is written is key to suit the age range of children that I’ve suggested it’s suitable for. The story doesn’t just focus on the feelings that surround the touching subject of death but it additionally focuses on how the characters deal with the bereavement. From reading this text to children I feel that it’s a good way to approach the subject of death as every child will experience it within their life time. Due to this I think that the text can be used within a PSHE lesson or even within Religious Education. The following day Badger's friends realise that he is not there and Fox discovers his note to them that says, 'Gone down the Long Tunnel. Bye Bye, Badger.' Everyone is very sad and Mole especially misses his friend as he feels alone and desperately unhappy. This is a poignant and touching story about a Badger who is very old and has accepted that he will soon die. His only worry is the effect it will have on his friends. The time arrives and his friends are, as badger feared, desperately upset. However in time they remember the valuable moments they spent with Badger and the pain begins to be surpassed by fond memories.

Badgers Parting Gifts is an award winning children’s book which explores the importance and value of friendship in times of need. It tells the tale of a very vulnerable badger who knows just about everything. Towards the end of his life Badger leaves a note for his friends, which reads “Gone down the long tunnel. Bye Bye Badger.” The following day his group of forest companions discover that one of their dearest friends has sadly passed away. The story then continues to explore the ideas behind how Badger’s friends come to terms with the loss of a dear friend. This is explored in a very gentle and touching approach towards dealing with loss and mourning. One warm spring day Mole is walking on the hillside where he had last seen Badger and he wants to thank him for his gift. 'Thank you, Badger,' he says and he believes that Badger will hear him ... and somehow, Badger did. A suggested lesson idea may involve the class teacher initially reading the story to the class of children and then discussing the themes that are explored in the book through a circle time approach. This would then give the opportunity for the children to explore the feelings and emotions that are involved when an individual or family are experiencing a similar situation. This may then help children to grasp and have a clearer understanding of the sensitive subject matter of death. I definitely feel that due to the sensitivity of the subject being explored in the text it’s key that a similar approach is taken by the class teacher.

Author

What a wonderful and touching story, akin to a parable, .. but if you are like me it will leave a lump in the throat and tears in the eye ... now where's that handkerchief? First published in 1984, Badger’s Parting Gifts tells the story of a dying badger and his wonderful friends that he would leave behind. When I saw the title and the book cover, I was led into thinking that the book is about a badger literally handing out gifts before he dies. It turned out that no actual gift giving took place. Badger is getting old and knows he is soon going to die. He isn’t afraid of dying but he is concerned about how his friends will feel. He tells them that one day he will go down the long tunnel. The forest animals grieve for him all winter then in the spring talk about the good memories they had of Badger. A gentle book about loss and grief and the importance sharing memories. It is often used to help bereaved children talk about how they are feeling.