Reviews

Amazon Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The death of Everett Anderson’s father brings to a close this empathetic series of verse stories that express universal heartaches and small moments of hope. A Reading Rainbow selection. Ages 5-8.
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Review

“A simple, poetic telling of Everett Anderson’s feelings as he copes with and accepts the fact of his father’s death.”–Childhood Education

“The poetry expresses simply but powerfully Everett’s emotions, as well as his mother’s quiet, understanding support….Grifalconi’s superb drawings convey as much meaning as Clifton’s empathetic lines in a book that is aesthetically satisfying and an effective way of helping children come to terms with loss.”–Publishers Weekly

“Simple in concept yet universal in need; one must share this book quietly within and with others.”–Language Arts

Amazon Reader Review

This is absolutely the best book out there for a young child who has lost a parent. Written by Lucille Cliffton in simple rhyme, it goes through the 5 stages of grief. As the last stage of grief is acceptance, it ends with “and no matter what happens when people die, love doesn’t stop and neither will I.” The illustrations of this young African American boy and his mother are charcoal line drawings ~~ beautifully illustrating the profound loss this child has suffered, affirming the loss and yet reassuring the reader that acceptance and peace will come.