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I’ve always loved Elephants and if I could have one as a pet. Would you like a Elephant as well? Which is why I\m excited to share Grief Is An Elephant by Tamara Ellis Smith (Author), Nancy Whitesides (Illustrator) I received in exchange for this review. If your a teacher you must add this to your shopping list for school because back to school is right around the corner.
I sat down and began to read the story after looking at the cover and falling in love with the Elephant. I never thought of grief being as big as a Elephant but I knew grief could be the Elephant in the room which is a poem the Grief Center shared with me when my daughter Suzzane passed away.
I wish I had known about Grief Is An Elephant when Suzzie passed away because this would have been the perfect book to have shared with all the children involved with her death. As for Charlie h has dealt with both my parents passing and I know David’s dad may not be here much longer. I’ve put Grief Is An Elephant up on my shelf to share with Charlie and all of my nieces and nephews as well as my grandson when that time comes.
The story is so inspiring that I had Charlie read the story. Charlie said he wouldn’t mind adding this book to our Homeschool Library and use it in his Home Economics Class to share with the children Charlie will be teaching. Charlie and I love how the book is dedicated to the Authors family and this is what Charlie said he would have dedicated the book to his sister Suzzane and his grandparents if he had written the story.
The illustrations will capture your attention and pull you into the storyline which is perfect for children and adults of all ages. I believe all counselors and pastors should have a copy of Grief Is An Elephant in their office. Through the Elephant you can feel grief and what you can do but also see that it isn’t going anywhere which I can agree with firsthand.
Then Grief changes into a Deer and grief might go away for a bit but it will still come back. Then a fox and no, I am not going to tell you what happens because I believe you should pick up your own copy of Grief Is An Elephant to share with your friends and family and no, don’t save the book until you lose someone you love. Read this book anytime you want a unique storybook to share with those you love.
Then there is a Mouse which you all know I don’t like but I didn’t mind this Mouse. Which Charlie wanted to turn into a house pet and before you ask no, way no, how is this happening ever!! Then there is a Firefly which got Charlie and I outside this evening as we went to see if we could see any. I wish you was here to go looking with us.
About:
An imaginative and heartfelt book that reminds us that there is no loss without love.
When Grief first arrives, it is like an Elephant—so big that there is hardly room for anything else. But over time, Grief can become smaller and smaller—first a deer, then a Fox, a Mouse, and finally a flickering Firefly in the darkness leading us down a path of loving remembrance.
This lyrical work is an empathetic and comforting balm for anyone who is experiencing grief, be it grieving the loss of a loved one or losses in the world around us.
REASSURING FEELINGS BOOK: Children can often feel confused by their emotions. The gentle voice and soft illustrations in this book help to make these emotions feel less frightening, and the hopeful ending provides a reassuring message that grief will transform over time.
TIMELESS REFLECTION ON GRIEF: The perennial themes of grief and sadness, as well as the graceful art style, make this perfect for anyone who is dealing with feelings of loss, whether that involves the loss of a loved one, grieving a pet, managing emotions during or after moving or being displaced, or responding to losses in a community or the larger world.
ACCESSIBLE: The open-ended narrative covers grief in a way that is not directly related to death. Poignant and honest, this book is a resource for parents and caregivers looking for ways to talk to children about grief and other kinds of sadness.
BEAUTIFUL PICTURE BOOK FOR ALL AGES: The exceptional text and art are a soothing treat to read. Like the best social-emotional books for kids, this lovely grief book holds as much meaning for kids navigating new feelings as for adults handling their own or their family’s emotions around loss.
Perfect for:
- Parents and grandparents seeking grief books for kids
- Teachers and librarians seeking children’s books about emotions to recommend or read aloud
- Grief resource for social workers and other caregivers
- Anyone looking for books about grief
- A thoughtful gift for a grieving child, loved one, or friend
About the Author: Tamara Ellis Smith
I was a creative kid. I wrote in journals, I wrote poems, I wrote plays, I made clothes, I cooked. But I was not patient. In fact, I was almost allergic to patience. Truly. If something took more than a minute to do, then I got all itchy and breathed heavy like a dog on a hot day. If I couldn’t figure something out quickly, then I believed it wasn’t worth doing.
Boy was I wrong.
I had to work a long time to become a writer. I did a lot of other kinds of jobs, especially teaching. I became a mom. I went to Vermont College of Fine Arts. I read a lot of books. And I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote.
Now I live in Vermont again. With my own family – four kids and my husband. My favorite things to do are running on the trails by my house with my friends and our dogs, making soup and Chocolate desserts, writing stories for kids, and – still – reading.
Oh, and practicing my patience.
About the Author: Nancy Whitesides
Nancy Whitesides is an author and self-taught illustrator specializing in digital and traditional techniques including watercolor and gouache. Born and raised in the Philippines, she now lives in California. Her art and stories are inspired by her love for children, nature, and the feeling of still being the six-year-old girl who’s just won the regional drawing contest and climbed the giant Tamarind Tree behind Grandpa’s house to watch the Sun set. You can visit her at and follow her on Instagram at @nancyillustrator.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
