Aunt Pearl
Aunt Pearl by Monica Kulling, published by Groundwood Books in 2019, is an illustrated work that presents a poignant narrative about a family grappling with the complexities of homelessness. The story centers around Aunt Pearl, who arrives at her sister Rose’s home with a shopping cart filled with her belongings. Through the eyes of six-year-old Marta, readers witness the initial joy of family reunion, as well as the tensions that arise when Pearl’s presence begins to disrupt the household dynamics.
In this 32-page book, Kulling explores themes of family, love, and the impact of social issues such as poverty and mental illness. The beautifully crafted illustrations by Irene Luxbacher enhance the storytelling, providing a rich visual context that complements the narrative. As Aunt Pearl’s stay unfolds, the story delves into the emotional challenges faced by the characters, ultimately leading to a bittersweet conclusion. This edition serves as a thoughtful exploration of multigenerational relationships and the struggles that can arise within them.
Official synopsis Publisher
Acclaimed author Monica Kulling brings sensitivity to this bittersweet portrayal of a loving family affected by homelessness, beautifully illustrated in Irene Luxbacher’s rich collage style.
Aunt Pearl arrives one day pushing a shopping cart full of her worldly goods. Her sister Rose has invited her to come live with her family.
Six-year-old Marta is happy to meet her aunt, who takes her out to look for treasure on garbage day, and who shows her camp group how to decorate a coffee table with bottle caps. But almost immediately, Pearl and Rose start to clash — over Pearl’s belongings crammed into the house, and over Rose’s household rules. As the weeks pass, Pearl grows quieter and more withdrawn, until, one morning, she is gone.
Acclaimed author Monica Kulling brings sensitivity to this story about homelessness, family and love, beautifully illustrated in Irene Luxbacher’s rich collage style.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6
Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)
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