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But i don't want to say GOODBYE is beautifully illustrated and honestly raw about the sadness of the death of a loved one.
For a little girl who has lost someone she loves, saying goodbye seems impossible.
In this poignant and heartfelt book, author Ta’Shay Mason expertly crafts a tender story about how to make peace with the death of a parent...by honoring them.
Through soft and soothing words, the author weaves a story that shares both the commonality and uniqueness of loss, with the mother and child coming up with their own special way to honor and remember their beloved family member.
But i don’t want to say GOODBYE! is a perfect book to help any family experiencing grief and also for those young readers who might need help in understanding someone else who is going through a loss.
The cover art immediately grabbed me! A teary-eyed, little girl behind a container of some sort with the words “Love You, Daddy” on it, a puppy, and a boat in the background. Initially, I don’t know if Daddy is going away on a long trip or has passed away, but the cover is making me emotional.
The opening lines are so raw and honest: “Today is not a good day. Yesterday wasn’t good, either. And tomorrow, definitely, will not be good.” I think these were my favorite sentences in the story. Then we learn that they will be saying goodbye to Daddy with a funeral.
But i don’t want to say GOODBYE is a well-written, beautifully illustrated story that honestly deals with the sadness of the death of a loved one. My eyes teared up a few times as I read through the book. The artwork shows the happy and sad feelings of the characters as they remember Daddy. Tanya Colton-Cauley did a great job with the illustrations.
The main character remembers her friends who have had to attend different types of funerals for various family members. The way the little girl and her mommy celebrate Daddy’s life was one I was not aware of before reading this book, but sounds like a lovely way to memorialize someone.
Death is a difficult topic to approach with adults, and can be increasingly more difficult with youth and children. I think Ta’Shay Mason did a great job gently approaching this challenging subject. I would not recommend this book to a preschool, but it could be given as a gift to a family mourning the loss of a loved one. This story would best be read within a family or close-friend setting and allowing, even encouraging, any tears. I will be keeping this book in mind for the future.
Reviewed by
I have been reviewing books as a hobby since 2009. When Amazon invited me to be a Vine voice, I realized that I had a skill I should try to market. I enjoy reading and reviewing and look forward to helping other reader find a book that fits them.
Synopsis
For a little girl who has lost someone she loves, saying goodbye seems impossible.
In this poignant and heartfelt book, author Ta’Shay Mason expertly crafts a tender story about how to make peace with the death of a parent...by honoring them.
Through soft and soothing words, the author weaves a story that shares both the commonality and uniqueness of loss, with the mother and child coming up with their own special way to honor and remember their beloved family member.
But i don’t want to say GOODBYE! is a perfect book to help any family experiencing grief and also for those young readers who might need help in understanding someone else who is going through a loss.
About the author
I am a Texas native and U.S. Army Veteran. I enjoy reading books, listening to music, and collecting vinyl. I love to hike and travel and spend time with my family, including relatives, my fur baby—an Old English bulldog named Bella—friends, and fellow veterans. view profile
Published on November 30, 2020
1000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre: Picture Books
Reviewed by
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