I loved Marley and Me and was chuffed when they brought out a younger version, but have also just discovered a picture book version while browsing through Smith's!  I was all set for getting it for my little man til I looked through the end and realised that it ends early and doesn't have Marley dying!  Very disappointed at that, cos it would have made a good opportunity to talk to kids about death and stuff, which I do think is important!  Not so sure I will buy it now, will wait til he's older and get the other version for him!

Nat

I agree with you that children should learn about important things like this from their early experiences with books. It seems unnecessarily protective to shield them from a simple reality like a much-loved dog's death. I remember crying buckets over sad events in books when I was very young (Black Beauty, anyone?) but I didn't want to miss the experience. 

What a pity that your little man will now have to wait - it's such a lovely story for children. 

 I completely agree - death is a difficult subject but with the help of a book like that it would have been an interesting way of dealing with the subject before it was necessary to do it in reality.  

I think that is unnecessarily overprotective towards hiding a child from reality.  When my Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and it was acknowledged that time was short - the Hospice provided my sister with books etc and colouring and activity books for my 6 year old neice.  It helped to focus on the good things and remember my Dad etc.  18 months on she still has the book and sleeps with it under her pillow.  

These "lessons in life" are essential to educate children and to allow them to grow up in the real world.  There are many ways of dealing with death of family/friends/animals but agree this would have been ideal. 

Shame.