Ida, Always
After a zoo bear becomes ill and dies, this book follows the other bears as they deal with grief. It shows the complicated stages of mourning, such as anger and numbness, in a way that feels authentic.
Ida, Always by Caron Levis is estimated to take about 9 minutes to read aloud (801 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 9 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 801Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 3/5holds up
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a realistic look at how life continues after a loss. Rather than just preparing a child for death, it shows the aftermath and how friends navigate their different emotions.
It is a useful resource for children who have already experienced a loss and need to see that it is okay to feel various things. The story follows the reality of grieving in a very honest way.
Before you buy it
Death is depicted directly on the page without any softening. Keep in mind that this is based on real polar bears in Central Park, which is important for parents to know.
Themes
- death
- friendship
- bears
- grief
Books like Ida, Always
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Ida, Always aloud?
About 9 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 801. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Ida, Always actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Ida, Always survive being read on repeat?
Yes, reasonably. It stays bearable through the repeat-request phase without becoming a favourite forever.
Is Ida, Always a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Ida, Always?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 3 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Ida, Always on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 2 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Ida, Always cover?
We tag it with death, friendship, bears and grief. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists Ida, Always is on
20 reviewed booksPreschool Books About FeelingsFind preschool books about feelings sorted by specific emotions like anger or sadness. Includes read-aloud times for quick decision-making.
16 reviewed booksBooks for 5 Year Old GirlsFind books for 5 year old girls with female protagonists. Includes estimated read-aloud times and stories for any child.