Well... this one destroyed me. A beautiful book dealing with loss, death, and grief. I can't believe that I am grieving over a freaking goose.

I am so glad I read this story alone before I read it to my grandchildren because I was in tears. This is a beautifully written and illustrated book about death. Gerbert is one of many goslings born in the spring. He eats and eats, but does not grow like his siblings. He migrates with the family, but is always smaller and weaker than all the rest of his flock. Even though he is small, he is strong and has a great outlook. He has one great day while during migration when he gets to lead the "V". When it comes time for Gerbert to say goodbye, he gives everyone a feather to remember him. This is such a gorgeous book to share with children who have lost a loved one (human or animal). The author's note encourages the reader to talk about their feelings and gives a bit of guidance to parents as well. This is one that I am going to purchased for my family library.

The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers is a good book for a child who is seriously ill or a child who knows someone who is seriously ill. The author's intention was to create a book to give families a new way to talk about illness, death and family.

Gerbert is a young Canada Goose who was always smaller and weaker than his siblings and the rest of his family. One spring, he doesn't feel well at all and mostly stays in his nest while his mother brings him food. He knows he probably won't be able to fly in the fall migration south and that makes him sad. He decides to gift his feathers, as they fall out, to each of his family. Each feather gets its own blessing. Gerbert dies with his family around him, but his family keeps him with them in spirit by carrying their feathers.

The authors of this book are both doctors who work in oncology departments. They are sharing their experience in helping families deal with the emotions surrounding sickness and death. This book could be a good communication tool to use with children dealing with a family member's terminal illness.

Wow. This book is so important for children who may be processing their own terminal illness or the terminal illness of someone they love. If you interact with children at all, I highly recommend that you purchase this book.



I received a copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet book, but perhaps problematic for young readers. It is hard enough to tackle the subject of the death of a grandparent or pet, but a child's own death is maybe too much.

I began thinking "what a charming book", "what makes you happier than a bunch of beautiful geese?" - then I realised what sort of ending I can expect. Although the book is sad, it is beautiful - but you better have a box of tissues at hand.

I'm in love with the illustrations. Canada geese are one my favourite birds and the images portray them perfectly, their grace, their soft beauty.

A good book written with tender sweetness, for communicating what beauty and love what gifts can be found in dying.

This book begins with a note to parents that highlights the book is for a sick child or to talk with a child about a sick adult in a child's loved ones circle. The note mentions "for...children who might have an illness that they worry about...(or) someone they love..." The last paragraph mentions "death" but I discounted the framing before beginning the story, thinking it was for a lifelong endured illness that made someone appear different or have different abilities. But it is about dying mostly, and individual gifts even in weakness. It should say more clearly from the first lines that it is a book to talk about the process of dying to a child. So just know that. That it does very well.

To the review with framing clear, this is a very sweet story about a duckling growing up with compromised health and it becoming apparent as the duck grows. The duck is loved by all and keeps up for a while, before more encompassing weakness begins to set in. Then the process of dying is in full measure, but it is treated with such sweetness, the gift of love is shown in full light, how love rises to the surface in the bleakest of time. The duck community gives full dignity to the dying duckling, and it is wonderfully portrayed.

It might be easy to say the book should have included other thoughts, such as "everyone dies," but that would miss the point. This is a young life dying, in this book, and the young duck still gives gifts, is enveloped in love. The duckling is surrounded and comforted and raised up as front and center to the group. And as the book states in the beginning, this is a springboard for talking, an entrance into the tough communication that should happen when a loved one is leaving us.

The illustration is wonderful and accompanies the text beautifully. Highly recommended for families with young children, where someone is leaving, very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Magination Press for an advanced review copy.

This is a very sad, but very important book. It talks about illness, death and loss, but does it in a way that shows hope and dreams. It shares the story of a bird who’s family know he is unwell and the journey as they all prepare to let him go. It has a lovely message and is written very well. The illustrations are also fantastic.

Thank you Magination Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in return for my honest review. Well, this is a keeper. A wonderful book about life and death. A book parents need to read with their children. The illustrations are well done and the story is heart breaking. Gilbert is the smallest goose, but he is full of energy however he cannot grow like his siblings. During migration time he struggles to keep up, but one year it is too much for him and he knows he must stay behind. He gives gifts of his feathers with messages for his family and friends, in turn they surround him with their feathers until his eventual passing. So darn well done, and even though we know what is coming the way things are handled by the authors is tremendous. A book we should all read to our children and even with our elders.

The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers speaks to the process of accepting the eventual end of a lifetime. Gerbert is a goose who is a little different than the rest of his flock from the time of his birth. Family and friends are inclusive and for the duration of his short lifetime, he is able to do all the things his flock does. The story describes the transition to realization that Gerbert's health and abilities are declining, his acceptance of his health condition, and his final gift to those that love him. This book gently and honestly describes the emotion of being different, chronic illness, and acceptance of death. The authors handle a sensitive subject with frankness and grace.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

It is not very common to read picture books that cover topics such as terminal illness and death, but people, and children alike, sometimes find themselves in these situations where it could be practical to read them, to use them in the process of accepting the illness and death of loved ones. I really hope this is not something any of us might need in the near future, but still, it's nice to know that such things exist.

This is beautifully touching.

Gerbert is born into a loving family and flock. Sadly, as his siblings grow bigger and stronger, it is clear that something is wrong with Gerbert. He remains small and weaker. Although he has a bright, strong personality, his body continues to weaken. His parents help him with migration and his father even shares the experience of leading the flock for a short time.

When the time for the next migration comes, it is clear that Gerbert will not be able to join them physically. He finds a special way to leave a blessing for all of his family and friends so that he can be with them always in memory especially as they remember him and his special gifts.

This book opens with a page explaining to parents that it may be used to help young children who are suffering from a terminal illness and help children who are experiencing terminal illness in another family member or special friend. It is more directed toward child death but could be helpful facing the loss of any loved one.

I appreciated the brave, cheerful character of Gerbert. The story is straightforward and easy to share or be read by a mature young reader. The story does tend to bring one close to tears so I imagine it would be best for an adult to be present with a younger reader to help share the burdens of fear and sadness. The illustrations are soft and beautiful.

This provides a very graceful approach toward facing death and loss. Even if a family is not facing a death within its circle, this story would promote empathy for others in that circumstance. I recommend this as a beautiful story to share.

Source: NetGalley.

I expected a quick children's book about a Goose named Gerbert but was surprised when the first pages referred to different Children's Psychology and Oncology agencies and the American Psychological Association. I had the, "What have I got myself into ", feeling?" (Probably the one you're having right now.)

We dive in immediately to the story of the birth of little Gerbert who is, in fact, a goose, as he emerges from his egg to the great celebration of his family. He's a little bit on the small side but full of spunk and energy. He plays, loves his family and learns Goose ways. Especially about migration. As a Canadian, I know quite a lot about it too. Every year, in the Autumn, I love to watch all the Geese fly south for the Winter to head for warmer weather. They fly in a V-shape because all that flying is hard work and they have the strongest Goose at the front to protect the weaker, smaller ones from the harsh, strong winds. Gerbert's Dad is at the front of their V during the first year Gerbert goes South with his family. Definitely a time for admiration and family pride. And Gerbert dreams of the day when he'll be big enough to be the Protector in the front, just like his Dad.

In fact, Gerbert's family is so close and loving that they have made up a little song just for themselves.

“In sun and rain and ice and snow,
feather to feather,
we’re always together.”

However, not long after Winter is over and Gerbert's family has returned to their Northern home they begin to notice some changes in Gerbert. He's lost his appetite, even for his favorite foods, he doesn't have the same strength to play and his feathers are starting to fall out. And when I saw the first illustration by Mikki Butterley of Gerbert laying sick in his nest is when my first tear fell.

People die and many of them are children. Through this short children's book, you will find the guidance and encouragement needed to guide your family and help them face the inevitable; the sickness and death of a child or any family member. It is simple but brilliantly written with a gentle, loving vibe through the whole thing and will help you find a way through the tragedies of a severe illness within a family.

Gerbert's story and his ceremony with the feathers he's been shedding (I won't give away any more than that), help us to face these tragedies and make the most of our time together as a family to strengthen and unite us. While the writers are always encouraging us not to avoid the questions and to revel in every second we have together to love each other.

Migrating away from a harsh Winter to a warm, sunny place where we meet with those we love who have gone before us is used as a metaphor for death and traveling to Heaven where, like Gerbert's Family's song says, "we are always together." It doesn't come right out and mention God and Heaven but sets it's story on Bible principles of Eternal Life, Resurrection, and Family, leaving the door wide open for you to insert all these things in if you wish to.

I conclude by saying that I hate that this book is necessary but so grateful it's available. I personally have been through a great deal of family grief (though I have not had a child die) and this book hits the mark not just for those who are children in age, but still children in our hearts. (All of us will have to say good-bye to our parents at some time). I've learned that to ignore and run from sickness and death while it's occurring is a regret that will linger and you do NOT need!

I received this book from Magination Press through Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review and I'm so grateful I did because I found my own healing within its pages and Gerbert's story. I'm quite sure I'll never watch migrating Canada Geese quite the same way again.

Thank you for taking the time to read another one of my reviews.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

This is a wonderful book to help children understand death. It has beautiful illustrations and will bring tears to your eyes. I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Reader beware! This book is about understanding the situation of the terminally ill. Gerbert Goose is smaller, weaker, and more sickly than the rest of his flock. He doesn't let that stop him from playing with his friends, feeding with his family, and taking part in the great migration. While Gerbert is still far too young, he and his family start to realize that he might not make the next migration. Though sad, Gerbert understands that his end is coming and decides to give everyone a gift, his feathers with special messages whispered into each.

While the story is short, it's full of empathy and packs a punch. Know that you will tear up.

I received a copy of this arc from Netgalley for an honest review. Gerbert the gosling was born a little weaker than his siblings and is a little different. Everyone loves him but know his time on earth will be shorter than his siblings. As his life is winding down, he gives a feather for each creature in his life. Beautiful book, sad, but lovey too.

A thoroughly well-meaning book, aimed to give young children comfort and strength when faced with the thought of losing a loved person with an illness. Focusing on a stunted goose, it just about succeeds in becoming something you read for the story and not solely for the issue, but only just. The goose biology, and his undiagnosed disease, is a bit iffy for the adult mind, but the child reading this will not escape the metaphor, and I think on the last double-page spread will get the message that whatever the life, whatever the length of it and whatever the species, something great always, always follows on afterward. It's an important book, then, and only my old-fashioned habit of giving star ratings on entertainment value and writing quality as well as purpose causes me to knock half a star or so off the maximum.

Just cried my eyes out reading this story. Beautifully written story of about death and dying. Great read for any age. Letting go is so heartbreaking for everyone. Kudos Meaghan Weaver, beautiful story. Illustrations were so realistic and touching. They added so much to the story. Kudos to Lori Wiener. great work, overall.

I can’t imagine a more difficult topic to broach than that of death with a child who is dying, yet this book does so beautifully. Lovely illustrations compliment the story. The author's note encourages the reader to talk about their feelings and I believe this book will help them do so. I hope whoever is reading this review never has need of the book, but if you do, I recommend it with love.