Review of How to say a Good-bye!
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Priya Murugesan
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- Latest Review: How to say a Good-bye! by Dr Maria Stylianou
Review of How to say a Good-bye!
[Following is a volunteer review of "How to say a Good-bye!" by Dr Maria Stylianou.]
As someone who enjoys and appreciates children's books, I always look out for a good one. So, when I came across How to Say a Good-bye! by Dr. Maria Stylianou, I immediately picked it up. Intrigued by the title, I read the blurb, which pleasantly surprised me. This story is about three children who have faced the loss of a loved one and are trying to cope with the grief. I didn't expect a children's book to tackle such a heavy, but much-needed, topic. Even as adults, we are not prepared for bereavement and often find it challenging to deal with one. So, it is understandable that it will be quite difficult for kids to process such a devastating event and express their pain and feelings. I was pleased that the author had written a book for children dealing with a less-discussed topic, and, with great anticipation, I started reading the narrative.
When the story begins, we see Pete, a sad boy, sitting alone in the park. John, another boy, notices him and comes to talk. He invites Pete to play with him on the swings, but Pete replies that he is too sad. When John asks him why he is feeling that way, Pete shares with him about his grandpa's death and how he misses him a lot. On hearing that, John, in turn, tells him about his granny and how much he misses her. Zoe, a girl playing nearby, also joins them. She talks about how she misses her dog, Chippy. John, who has started to come out of his grief with the help of his mom's guidance, comforts them so that they can accept their loss and move forward in their lives. To learn more about how the friends support each other in combating their feelings and easing their suffering, grab a copy!
Through her writing, the author conveys the importance of memories and how they help us be connected with our loved ones even after they are gone. It is also common for kids facing bereavement to feel anger, which the author aptly points out in her story to help kids as well as adults manage such emotions. In Zoe's story, she is afraid that if she loves her new dog, she will forget her old dog, which leads to anger towards her new dog. The author emphasizes that one should not feel guilty while embracing new love, like a new dog in Zoe's case; this new love does not replace the old one but adds to our big heart of love.
The cartoony illustrations are unique and look a bit different from illustrations typically found in children's books. The characters expressing varying emotions like sadness, happiness, anger, contentment, etc., are drawn very effectively. The vibrant colors are bound to attract the young kids. The layout of the book is well-designed with a perfect font size and style that does not strain the eyes of the readers. Older kids can read independently, while parents can read along with young kids and explain concepts as needed. The narrative is mostly presented in a dialogue format with simple sentences that are easy for kids to understand. I can easily resonate with Zoe's story, as, like her, we have also lost a pet. At that time, I consoled my daughter, echoing the same thing the author proposes—that our pet didn't truly leave us but lives on in our memories.
Other than a few minor errors, the editing is incredible. One thing I felt was that Zoe's story ends rather abruptly. But that is just my personal opinion and doesn't hinder the reading experience. Other than that, I totally enjoyed the book, and I believe the author has done a great job conveying such a difficult message to kids. So, I would love to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. This children's book, which also acts as a parental counseling book, will be really helpful for children to cope with the loss of a loved one and for parents to guide themselves and their children through the bereavement process.
******
How to say a Good-bye!
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
As someone who enjoys and appreciates children's books, I always look out for a good one. So, when I came across How to Say a Good-bye! by Dr. Maria Stylianou, I immediately picked it up. Intrigued by the title, I read the blurb, which pleasantly surprised me. This story is about three children who have faced the loss of a loved one and are trying to cope with the grief. I didn't expect a children's book to tackle such a heavy, but much-needed, topic. Even as adults, we are not prepared for bereavement and often find it challenging to deal with one. So, it is understandable that it will be quite difficult for kids to process such a devastating event and express their pain and feelings. I was pleased that the author had written a book for children dealing with a less-discussed topic, and, with great anticipation, I started reading the narrative.
When the story begins, we see Pete, a sad boy, sitting alone in the park. John, another boy, notices him and comes to talk. He invites Pete to play with him on the swings, but Pete replies that he is too sad. When John asks him why he is feeling that way, Pete shares with him about his grandpa's death and how he misses him a lot. On hearing that, John, in turn, tells him about his granny and how much he misses her. Zoe, a girl playing nearby, also joins them. She talks about how she misses her dog, Chippy. John, who has started to come out of his grief with the help of his mom's guidance, comforts them so that they can accept their loss and move forward in their lives. To learn more about how the friends support each other in combating their feelings and easing their suffering, grab a copy!
Through her writing, the author conveys the importance of memories and how they help us be connected with our loved ones even after they are gone. It is also common for kids facing bereavement to feel anger, which the author aptly points out in her story to help kids as well as adults manage such emotions. In Zoe's story, she is afraid that if she loves her new dog, she will forget her old dog, which leads to anger towards her new dog. The author emphasizes that one should not feel guilty while embracing new love, like a new dog in Zoe's case; this new love does not replace the old one but adds to our big heart of love.
The cartoony illustrations are unique and look a bit different from illustrations typically found in children's books. The characters expressing varying emotions like sadness, happiness, anger, contentment, etc., are drawn very effectively. The vibrant colors are bound to attract the young kids. The layout of the book is well-designed with a perfect font size and style that does not strain the eyes of the readers. Older kids can read independently, while parents can read along with young kids and explain concepts as needed. The narrative is mostly presented in a dialogue format with simple sentences that are easy for kids to understand. I can easily resonate with Zoe's story, as, like her, we have also lost a pet. At that time, I consoled my daughter, echoing the same thing the author proposes—that our pet didn't truly leave us but lives on in our memories.
Other than a few minor errors, the editing is incredible. One thing I felt was that Zoe's story ends rather abruptly. But that is just my personal opinion and doesn't hinder the reading experience. Other than that, I totally enjoyed the book, and I believe the author has done a great job conveying such a difficult message to kids. So, I would love to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. This children's book, which also acts as a parental counseling book, will be really helpful for children to cope with the loss of a loved one and for parents to guide themselves and their children through the bereavement process.
******
How to say a Good-bye!
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: How to say a Good-bye! by Dr Maria Stylianou
