Teaching children to say goodbye to a loved one.
Farewell, Grandpa Elephant by Isabel Abedi is available in hardcover ($16.95) from Sky Pony Press.
Helping children deal with the loss of a loved one can be difficult, but Farewell, Grandpa Elephant can make it easier to explain what is happening in terms that they will understand. Through the elephants’ eyes, children learn that even though they will never see a beloved face again, there is the certainty of preservation through their memory.
Grandpa Elephant knows that it is his time to go to the elephant graveyard, and so he begins his farewell to his grandchildren. The young elephants are confused, but they soon realize that although there is sadness, the mystery of death holds countless possibilities. Maybe Grandpa Elephant will go to heaven and walk on clouds, or maybe he will come back to earth in a new form. Even he does not know. Though the little elephants will never see Grandpa Elephant again, they learn that he will live on in their thoughts and dreams.
I think this is a wonderful book to read to your children, whether they have experienced the loss of a loved one yet or not. It will help them to understand and prepare for death as a natural cycle of life. With beautiful illustrations by Miriam Cordes, Isabel Abedi shares the story of Grandpa Elephant as he prepares his grandchildren to go on without him. Like all little ones, Grandpa Elephant’s grandchildren have many questions for him. Although he does not have all the answers, he is able to comfort them in knowing that he will continue on through them. The book touches on the topics of heaven, hell, and reincarnation in a way that is easy for children to understand.
“Death is a great mystery,” said Grandpa Elephant. “Noone knows exactly what happens when you die. Everyone has to experience it for themselves, and that’s what makes it special.”
Farewell, Grandpa Elephant by Isable Abedi and illustrated by Miriam Cordes is available at your local book store or from Sky Pony Press.
The Giveaway
Sky Pony Press is giving one lucky About A Mom reader a copy of Farewell, Grandpa Elephant. The giveaway is open to US residents. Please use the form below to enter. Good Luck!
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A copy of “Farewell, Grandpa Elephant” was provided for review purpose. All thoughts are our own.
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