Picture Book Review: Grief

 

It's hard losing people and pets, but these books can help small readers learn about grief:

A young girl and her father miss her mother, so she imagines a trip they always talked about taking when it was still the three of them. In time, they can create new dreams together.

This story offers up hope alongside the sadness. They're remembering the old dreams and keeping Mami's memory alive while finding new dreams with each other. 

A young girl loves visiting her grandparents and seeing her aunt. Her aunt loves sewing; it's her love language. She gifts her niece a pair of pajama pants, but they are pink. The next week, the go to visit, but her aunt has fallen ill. She dies. Afterwards, the family is cleaning out her room, the girl finds the pink pajama pants she rejected. Now she loves them. 

This story shows the hospital, a funeral, and the family cleaning out her room. It's a lovely story, but those might be hard for some kids. The ending is sweet and heartwarming. 

Middle Grade Review: The Trouble with Heroes

Finn is grieving the death of his father. He lashes out in the middle of a cemetery, kicking gravestones. Unfortunately for him, there's a camera in the cemetery and he's caught vandalizing the gravestones. Instead of paying for the replacement, the family decides that Finn should hike the 46 mountains of the Adirondacks.

Finn has the whole summer to complete the challenge, but there are some rules. The family dog has to go with him. Different volunteers will accompany him. Finn isn't thrilled with this ruling, but he has little choice.

He struggles with hiking, his grief, and his anger. 

My Thoughts: This novel in verse made me cry; I loved it. Finn struggles so much - both physically and mentally. I'm impressed with his hiking skills; those are some long hard hikes. I wanted to wrap him up in a hug. He's funny and sarcastic. I love how he started to enjoy the hikes and look more around him to appreciate nature. I love how everything tied together. I loved Finn's outlook on heroes. The dog is adorable. Another winner for Kate Messner! 

* There's a scary moment with the dog, but it turns out ok.

Why I Read This Book: I love Kate Messner's Books

Source: My Library

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Library Recommendation: A Must have book for your school and public library collection

Picture Book Review: Where are You Bronte?

Bronte lived a good life with his human who loved him. When Bronte died, Tomie missed him.

Review: This is a lovely story about death and grief and life. The illustrations are charming. 

I love how many there are in the book. This is a simple story but it's full of heart. 

* Book sent for review

** Book published May 6, 2025

Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for your library's collection.

 It's terribly heartbreaking losing your dog. I lost mine a few years back and I miss him every day.

I was lucky enough to meet Tomie dePaola. He took a picture with me and signed a book. 

Picture Book Review: Where Lily Isn't

 

Lily, the much loved dog, has died before the book opens.

Her young friend notices all the places that Lily isn't before stating that Lily is in her heart.

A really sweet book that made me tear up. It's a great picture book about the loss of a pet. 

I read this for the Cybil's Picture Book Award. I'm really glad to read this book because it's one that I'm going to be adding to our library's collection. There are not a lot of great books about death for the picture book age, but this book handles it really nicely. 

Picture Book Review: Goodbye Book

A goldfish lost his companion fish and shares his grief.  

Todd Parr does it again. He shares all about different kinds of grief - and how there's not just one way to grieve. It's sweet and touching and just a little bit sad. A great way to introduce death to kids. 

Review: Letters to the Lost

Juliet and her mother exchanged letters while her mother was away photographing the news. Now, even though she died months ago, Juliet can't break the habit. She leaves the letters on her mother's grave. She's angry and curious when someone writes back to her.

Before long, she's started a correspondence with this person. She learns quickly that he lost someone too - and the guilt he feels weighs on him. Another connection, as Juliet feels guilty about her mother's death.

Juliet and Declan share their inner most feelings with each other, realizing that they are the same age. They don't share identities, but unbeknownst to them they do interact in real life. Their interactions with each other couldn't be more opposite than their conversations through letters. When the truth comes out, will their relationship fizzle?

My Thoughts: I couldn't stop reading this book! I loved the duel perspectives, the letters back and forth, and their interactions at school. I love how they both death with death and how they both felt guilty about their roles, but also how they helped each other overcome their grief. I felt terrible for both of them as their stories unfolded. I enjoyed Juliet's father. I loved Rev and his family. And Declan's boss at the graveyard -  I love how their relationship unfolded. I enjoyed Declan giving his classmates something different to see in him when they had already made up their minds about him because of his criminal record. I loved the photography aspect of it. And of course the hopeful ending and that slow burn.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable. I love it - understanding it better after reading the book.
Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Perfect for school and public libraries!

On Your Radar (4)

Title: All the Forever Things 

Author:  Jolene Perry 

Publisher:Albert Whitman and Company

Publication Date: April 1, 2017

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

Quirky Characters
Vintage Clothes
Funeral Home Setting
Tight Family
New Boy
Prom Night
Plot Twist