Benny and Penny in How to Say Goodbye
Geoffrey Hayes’ adorable field mouse siblings return in a story about dealing with loss. While playing in dead leaves, Penny finds the body of Little Red, a salamander the two had memories of seeing earlier in the year.
In only 20-some pages, Hayes manages to move his characters realistically through denial, disgust, resistance, friendship, problem-solving, and navigating the ceremonies of mourning. It’s all beautifully illustrated, and I was particularly happy to see new friend Melina. She’s a mole, and her digging talent comes in handy for a funeral.
How to Say Goodbye is a lovely way to explore the nature of memory and sadness. It would be a great starting point for exploring these emotions and this time of change with a child.
The previous Benny and Penny books are
(The publisher provided a review copy.)