Finn's Feather
Finn's Feather
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Written by Rachel Noble
Illustrated by Zoey Abbott
A Choosing Therapy Best Grief Book for Children for 2022
Finn knows his brother is gone. But he also knows that Hamish sent the beautiful white feather on his doorstep.
Finn runs to shows his mother the feather from Hamish, but she only gives him a big hug. In school, Finn’s teacher responds similarly. Why isn’t anyone as excited as he is? Finn sits quietly, cradling the beautiful, amazing feather. “Why did Hamish give it to you?” asks his friend, Lucas. “Maybe he wanted to say hi?” wonders Finn. “Maybe,” Lucas says, “Hamish wanted you to have fun with it.”
Finn’s Feather is a story about resilience and memory―about a child, his brother, and a friend who meets him where he is.
ISBN: 978-1-59270-239-8
8" (W) x 11.5" (H) • 48 pages • HCJ
Grade Level: 2
Interest Level: K-4
Lexile Level: 560
Guided Reading Level: M
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
A Choosing Therapy Best Grief Book for Children for 2022
★ "...more a celebration of love than sadness over a death."―STARRED REVIEW, Katrina Yurenka, Youth Services Book Review
"I treasure the book as a very fine example of a child’s death narrative that rings true. Among other things, I appreciate the fact that the world of the living is an appealing, sun-filled place to be even while one’s heart and mind feels sadness and loss." ―Wendy Lukehart, Youth Collections Coordinator, DC Public Library
"Inspired by Noble's own experience of loss, and enhanced by Abbott's naive, softly colored double-page-spread illustrations, the gentle story deals with death gracefully by celebrating those who have gone before. It will provide a welcome opportunity for parents to discuss a serious issue with their young children." ―Michael Cart, Booklist
"The episode is less about grieving the loss of a loved one than finding positive ways to remember and to regard the deceased." ―Kirkus Reviews
“An emotive and heartwarming tale, Finn’s Feather…is a tender story of loss and love.” —Sarah Yewman, Picture Books Blogger
"If you have a child who has lost someone ― I cannot recommend this book more highly."―Rebecca Sparrow, rebeccasparrow.com
"A stunning story of a child’s death told through the eyes of the brother. A feather arrives, a gift that nurtures loss, and leads to a day filled with laughter, love and the celebration of life, memory and exploring death in a healing and nurturing way. This book is a gift to those who have known loss and those that seek to understand and support." ―Jesica Sweedler DeHart, The Wandering Bookseller
"Combined, the art and story create a useful, moving resource for bereaved children and their families." ―Publishers Weekly
"A grieving mother pays tribute to her lost son through an inspiring debut children's story."―Who Magazine
“Finn’s Feather is written with such heart and care, in a gentle, honest and relatable manner… [Rachel Noble’s] clever crafting of a book which will generate conversation and compassion in little humans without distressing them or causing worries or fears is exceptional. […] It’s books just like Finn’s Feather which can help us grown ups and parents broach those topics which we sometimes feel ill equipped to discuss.” —Squishy Minnie Bookstore (Kyneton, Australia)
“The way the story is told, we learn of Hamish through Finn’s eyes. Which isn’t about his passing, but about fun, play, and how great he was. A warm and heartfelt take on the hard subject of death and loss.” —The Reading Ninja
“…poignant. Yes, it’s about a child grieving the loss of his brother, Hamish. But, perhaps more importantly, it’s about processing that emotion as a child. About a friend who imagines what a gift from a departed love one might mean and about joy found even amidst heartache.” —Miranda Rosbach, My Bookbloom
"An imaginative and original story by Rachel Noble that is charmingly illustrated by Zoey Abbott, 'Finn's Feather' is a very highly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4 to 8." ―The Midwest Book Review
"In this delicately insightful story about love, loss and forever, Rachel Noble draws on personal experience to offer a gentle pathway forward for anyone who has lost a beloved child or parent, and the process of grieving; a pathway personal to everyone. […] Easy to read words combined with graceful artwork from Zoey Abbott completes a work which is both significant and poignant and perfect for children struggling to understand the process of death and grieving." ―Blue Wolf Reviews
“While Finn’s Feather is specifically about the loss of a sibling, the message is applicable to any loss in a child’s life. Finn walks outside one day and finds a white feather on his doorstep – he could not be more sure that it’s from his deceased brother, Hamish. He runs to show his mom and his teacher, but they simply hug him. He truly believes this feather was sent by his brother, and he doesn’t understand why no one seems to be as excited about it as he is. We see moments of joy, resilience, and enduring memory as Finn and his friend Lucas go on a journey to understand why Hamish sent the feather. And we soon find out that Lucas being willing to meet Finn where he is at in his season of grief, and be in that place with him, is a fantastic way to support someone you care about when they are dealing with loss.” —Kristen Souza (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), Choosing Therapy
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