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Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less See less
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A Last Goodbye Hardcover – Picture Book, April 15, 2020

by Elin Kelsey (Author), Soyeon Kim (Illustrator)
4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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How do we say goodbye to a loved one after they die? This book broaches a difficult topic in a heartfelt way by exploring the beauty in how animals mourn. From elephants to whales, parrots to bonobos, and lemurs to humans, we all have rituals to commemorate our loved ones and to lift each other up in difficult times.

New from the award-winning team behind You Are Stardust, Wild Ideas, and You Are Never Alone, this book gently recognizes death as a natural part of life for humans and all animals. Written in spare, poetic language and illustrated with stunning dioramas, it draws out our similarities with other animals as it honors the universal experience of mourning. The touching and uplifting book ends on a hopeful note, showing how we live on both in memories and on the planet, our bodies nourishing new life in the Earth and the oceans.
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  1. Reading age
    4 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    2 - 5
  5. Lexile measure
    610L
  6. Dimensions
    8.25 x 0.31 x 10.25 inches
  7. Publisher
    Owlkids
  8. Publication date
    April 15, 2020
  9. ISBN-10
    1771473649
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1771473644
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From the Publisher

a last goodbye

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Scientifically sound and philosophically profound." ― Kirkus Reviews - STARRED REVIEW

"Gentle and reassuring, with amazing artwork once again, this is a book that is as hopeful as it is beautiful." ― Sal's Fiction Addiction

"Kim's absorbing dioramas create tender scenes of community, intimacy, and loss...readers will appreciate the matter-of-fact, never emotionally prescriptive look at creatures’ mourning behaviors." ― Publishers Weekly

"A lovely piece of enhanced nonfiction... Thoughtful and eye-opening." ― School Library Journal

"This stunning picture book is unusual in many ways, from its unique and seldom-explored topic to the illustrations done in collage and created using dioramas." ― Booklist

"The book adopts a gentle tone and establishes a mood of reverence and respect through Elin Kelsey’s written text and Soyeon Kim’s attractive artwork." ― Canadian Review of Materials

Review

"Visually stunning, simultaneously warming and wrenching. This book does not soften the loss of a loved one, although it portrays the life cycle and honoring of those we miss in a beautiful and loving way. A pang of sadness comes with this beauty, but it's only natural." -- Andrew King ― University Book Store, WA

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Owlkids
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 15, 2020
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1771473649
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1771473644
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 12 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.31 x 10.25 inches
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 610L
  • Best Sellers Rank: #84,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

About the author

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Elin Kelsey

Elin Kelsey

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Elin Kelsey is a leading international spokesperson for hope and the environment. She is the award-winning author of more than a dozen environment and science-based books for children and adults. Her books have received rave reviews from the Economist, the Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Review and BrainPickings. Her work serves as an antidote to the hopelessness so many people all over the world feel about the state of the environment. Because science is based on problem analysis and the media focuses on tragedy, we rarely hear about conservation successes. Elin's passion for shifting the environmental narrative beyond doom and gloom has garnered her prestigious fellowships at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society, the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, Hedgebrook, the Mesa Refuge and Berton House . On World Oceans Day in June 2014, she co-launched an #OceanOptimism hashtag and encouraged others to share their good news stories for the seas. The tag went viral reaching more than 70 million users to date and inspiring a broader Earth Optimism and Conservation Optimism movement.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
33 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Wendy Wyatt
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful heartfelt book for dealing with grief at any age...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    When my beloved Gracie died unexpectedly when we were out walking, a friend had recommended this book and I was so touched by it's universal story of showing the common connection that all animals grieve... and reminded me that the circle of life is ever flowing and to cherish each moment with those animals we love (including the human ones.) A book of grace and healing.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and Lovingly Say Goodbye
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2020
    'A Last Goodbye' beautifully broaches the topic of death in a way children can relate and understand. Each page beautifully illustrates the way animals have their own ritual and way of dealing with losses. It is naturally sad. But, if you are looking for this type of book you won't go wrong here.

    I am giving it five stars because the illustrations are heartbreaking and emotional, the topic is fragile and difficult, and it was overall done very well. If I were to ding it on any point it would be the words. They are all fine but I felt it lacked a bit of lyrical cadence that would have enhanced the experience.

    Thank you @Netgalley and @owlkids for early access to this ARC in return for an unbiased and voluntary review.
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  • Susan Johnston
    5.0 out of 5 stars A creative and sensitive way of exploring loss
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2023
    This book has so many wonderful elements that work together beautifully: lyrical prose exploring loss with sensitivity, scientific facts about animals, and imaginatively textured illustrations. It will surely bring comfort to kids coping with the loss of a loved one, whether a human or other animal, and inspire curiosity about animals. I cried while reading it.
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  • S. Mahaffey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive and good!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2020
    A sensitive book that explores death for young children. It is illustrated with pictures of animal mothers talking to their child about death. I thinks it lets a child know that death is not bad. It lets the young know it is okay to be sad and missed the one that has died.

    Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Carol Gordon Ekster
    5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful picture book to discuss death
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2021
    This book is so lovely to share with any child to discuss death. Beautifully and simply dealt with. Deals with how animals take care of each other when they die. Lovely illustrations. It will provide comfort.
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  • Ocean Breeze
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful goodbye
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2020
    A Last Goodbye is a beautifully written, and illustrated, story about animal behavior when a loved one dies. There is sadness, but eventually memories bring joy.

    The language is informative and simple, yet engaging. The illustrations are soft and inviting. I would recommend this book for a child who has lost a family member or a beloved pet. As loss is a part of life, this book I can be a comfort throughout life.

    Thank you to OwlKids Books and NetGalley for the electronic ARC to review.
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  • Andrea C
    3.0 out of 5 stars I loved the illustrations
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2022
    This is not a book that you are just going to randomly read for fun or leave out in your classroom. It's designated for those who are preparing to say goodbye to a loved one. The story was inspired by a young girl who was there when her dog had to be put down, but it also applies to people. I had a hard time getting through it, because it took me back to those final moments with each of my parents as they passed. I think I actually uttered some of those words to them.

    It's also supposed to show how animals deal with death and grief, which I think too often we forget they also go through.

    I think maybe because of my own personal experience going through this relatively recently with my parents, it was harder for me to read the book from the perspective of animals. I think I know what the author's intention was. And I also had moments of remembering being there when my elderly pets also died recently and how the younger ones reacted. But the part about "I will watch our children grow up. I will watch our grandchildren, too," kind of threw me off a bit. I don't know how children will relate to that part. I felt like I was getting mixed stories from this one book. Is it people or is it animals? I think minus that little bit, I may have appreciated the story more.

    Nevertheless, I think it could potentially be a starting point for conversation with children when you know that a pet or beloved relative or friend is going to pass on, how you can say goodbye and grieve as you remember them after they're gone. We never know how we are actually going to react as adults, let alone how the kids are going to react in these situations.

    I will say that the illustrations are absolutely beautiful and do compel all kinds of emotions when you look at them. I could feel the sadness and the pain of the animals saying goodbye to their loved ones.

    Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars When children lose someone dear
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
    I am so grateful for books when life becomes difficult. They are such a blessing when it's time to explain those difficult things to children. This book is beautiful and gentle and has gorgeous illustrations.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book so much. It’s a must have if your children are grieving a loss of a loved one. I now give this as a gift when friend or family are going though a difficult loss.
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  • LA
    5.0 out of 5 stars No problems. Good buy.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Product as described
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