Chip

Praise for Chip:

* "Whimsical, appealing, and gently humorous…. A witty, comforting paean to a beloved lost fish…. Gastaldi is like a magician; both the text and illustrations retain a light touch as the child deals with his loss. . . Perfectly captures a child’s response to death with respect, sensitivity, and reassuring humor."

"Gastaldi’s digital art in rich blues and oranges conveys the intensity of Atticus’s feelings. Eventually, happy memories of Chip soften the boy’s grief, and he is comforted, knowing 'he would always remember.' Gastaldi keeps both text and illustrations simple, avoiding distractions and allowing a child reader to focus on Atticus and his sense of loss. Recommended websites and books to use when talking with children about this difficult subject are appended."

"One morning, Atticus wakes up to find that his pet goldfish, Chip, is not in his bowl…. A heartfelt book for children who have lost a pet."

"This story is very relevant to a contemporary audience, especially to children who are unfamiliar with the concept of death and are unprepared when a dear pet passes away…. Brief text and a limited color palette work together to describe Atticus’s loss in a visual way, while simultaneously making the book accessible to a wide range of young readers. Sweet and heartfelt, this tale will resonate with families and will invite conversation with every reading. This is a helpful tool for families experiencing the loss of a pet or a loved one, and a good addition to library collections for young readers."