The Goodbye Book

Product Description From bestselling author Todd Parr, a poignant and reassuring story about loss. Through the lens of a pet fish who has lost his companion, Todd Parr tells a moving and wholly accessible story about saying goodbye. Touching upon the host of emotions children experience, Todd reminds readers that it's okay not to know all the answers, and that someone will always be there to support them. An invaluable resource for life's toughest moments. From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 2—This picture book shows young children that even when goodbyes bring sadness and unfamiliar emotions, those feelings will ease with the help of time, remembrance, and support. The Goodbye Book addresses the range of emotions someone might feel after a loss, including anger, sadness, lack of joy, and denial, as well as the desire to stop eating or sleeping. Parr explains that even when a person starts to feel better, there could be moments of grief or confusion, but at the end of the day, another person will always be available to provide love and comfort. The colorful illustrations, in an naive, childlike style and outlined in black, feature a goldfish that experiences the emotions discussed throughout the book. Young readers can infer what the goldfish is feeling by looking at the picture, and the imaginative representation gives the book a soothing tone. The Goodbye Book never specifies what the exact scenario is, making it an appropriate choice whether a child is dealing with death or another difficult situation. VERDICT An honest but gentle look at the grief that comes with saying goodbye. An essential purchase for all early childhood collections.—Liz Anderson, D.C. Public Library Review Eliot Schrefer, Special for USA TODAY November 29, 2015The Goodbye Book Written and illustrated by Todd Parr Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 32 pp., ages 3-6 ***½ out of four starsTodd Parr, author of It's Okay to Be Different, has carved out a niche for himself as "the feelings man" of picture books, and it's not hard to see why. In glossy, color-saturated pages, we're introduced to a small fish who's lost its companion. As the fish goes through many reactions to the loss, the text is directed straight at the reader, giving permission for all sorts of feelings: "You might be very sad. / You might be very mad." The art is simple and naïve, as though Parr loaded up Paint on his computer and started clicking away. With its accessible style and kindhearted text, The Goodbye Book will serve kids as a sympathetic friend during trying times. Kansas CITY Star: Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein...Well I've found another to add to the list: Todd Parr. About the Author Todd Parr has inspired and empowered millions of children around the world with his bold images and positive messages. He is the bestselling author of more than sixty books, including The Goodbye Book, The Family Book, The I Love You Book, and It's Okay to be Different. He lives in California.