Can we talk about how absolutely beautiful the illustrations in this book are? This book covers the topic of grief in a very child appropriate way. This story is heartbreaking, but very touching. I could see this book being used to help young children experiencing the first loss of a loved one.

This book had a lot of opportunities to be great, but it remained to somber throughout the story. It didn't give me a good vibe. I understand the topic is dark, but it wasn't approached in the inviting and friendly way I think it aimed for.

Three creatures live together in the garden—a cat, an older bunny, and a younger bunny. After the older bunny passes away, the young bunny has some questions for the cat. The cat answers the young bunny's questions, and they explore themes of life and death.

This book was beautifully illustrated. Although it was sad, I still loved the theme and the lessons to be learned within it.
I think this would be a great story for parents to read to their child about grief—whether the child is experiencing it or to just use it as a teaching moment.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC of this book. It made me sad (in a good way.)

I love picture books that deal with emotions, especially grief. Sometimes children need help learning to process complicated emotions. Sometimes adults do, too. My dog passed away early in the morning of March 8th, so my grief is still very fresh. The idea posed in this book, that our loved ones become a part of the world we live in, is such a beautiful and heartwarming sentiment. I want to imagine Sidney as the flowers blooming outside of my house, nestled in next to my other dogs Precious and Jewel. I think this is a very smart and gentle way to explain death and help children learn to process grief. The art is gorgeous as well, so readers will enjoy the visual storytelling as well.

Painfully spot-on timing for my reading, but much appreciated in my own grief.

This book was quite the heartbreaker. The illustrations were beautiful. I think it'll be a great story of young ones experiencing grief or parents wanting to teach their children about grief.

This was a very sweet and gorgeous way of expressing grief. The young bunny has questions and the cat doesn’t turn her away, and instead indulges the questions with her own thoughts and further questions. It’s so important for everyone, not just kids, to see that death and grief are a part of life and that there are so many ways to remember the one who was lost. I really like the line that says death doesn’t mean anyone did anything wrong. It’s a natural process for us all. Also this artwork is insanely beautiful to look at and it perfectly fits the theme and vibe of the novel.

A Garden of Creatures is lovely and beautifully illustrated. It's visually stunning and the art style is amazing. I enjoyed reading it.

This book was a beautiful, simple, and thoughtful way to reflect on death and mourning. I loved the way the book takes painful feelings and both acknowledges and soothes them. I was very moved by the inclusion of the boy who loved the rabbit, but also glad to see it did not center around a human being, as I feel that seeing the emotions play out through animal characters adds a sense of universality to the book. This book was a lovely, and I will definitely recommend it.

This is a gorgeously illustrated children's picture book. It addresses a tough issue for parents to discuss. Death of a friend. Where happens to us when we die and where do we go? A starting point reference tool for a sensitive discussion for Moms and Dads. M y thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.

What a beautifully illustrated children’s book! I absolutely loved every single page, it was full of colour and really went so well with the story and theme. This one deals with grief and how to process it in a way this is easier to understand for someone new to death.

I’d definitely recommend this one, honestly to anyone of any age!

5/5⭐️

Such a sweet picture book! Absolutely the perfect read for a child who has just lost a loved one. This was such a special story with breathtaking illustrations, will certainly recommend to all friends with children!

I definitely should have read the synopsis before I requested this, but I was so intrigued by the cover so I requested it based off that. I was surprised when the bunny dies on the second page of the story and then I realized this was going to be a story about dealing with death. I thought the story handled the topic of death very well, especially if this is a book that’ll be read to children. This book says something like when someone dies, they don’t really leave because they leave traces of themselves on the Earth. So the world is just a garden full of creatures who came before you. I thought the art style of the book was quite beautiful and I loved all the sweeping lines and wispyness of it all. The cat’s design was a bit wonky with how fluffy it was especially around the eye area, but the white bunny was so adorable. Overall, I think this was a really nice story!

4.5/5 Stars

I absolutely loved the illustrations!! This story is about loss and questions about what happens to those we lose. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review!

Whimsical children's book approaching the topic of death without observing God. Sweet writing, beautiful illustrations. My only complaint is that the magnolia tree mentioned in the text is not the type of tree that appears illustrated.

ARC provided by publisher thru NetGalley, thank you.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of A Garden of Creatures in exchange for an honest review.

Children's media that handles grief in an honest yet comforting way is so hard to come by. Love the intent here and hope it can help a lot of guardians and kiddos.

I thought this was such a heartwarming/heartbreaking picture book about two bunnies and a cat who live in the garden. This book talks about losing someone you love and when someone ask the questions where someone goes when they leave the world. I think this is important for children who just lost someone in their lives whether it is human or animals.

What a beautiful book. I just loved the story line. My grandchildren just loved reading it with me. I highly recommend this book

I need to first touch on what drew me to the book- THE ART. I think this is one of my favorite picture books in terms of aesthetics I have ever read. I loved the art style, the colors, and just thought it all was beautiful.

As for the story- I honestly struggled with it a little. I feel like the death of the bunny was very abrupt and done without time to really be introduced to the characters, the story, or their relationships. I think that the story was a bit rushed and it took away from the story as a whole.

I also am not too sure what age range I would think this book is for. As someone who recently lost a family member, I think that it might be helpful for an age range on the older side of the spectrum as I think the concept might be too confusing for a younger age.

While I thought the theme was interesting, I cant help but wish that this story had the same characters and art but with a different concept than loss.

What an absolutely beautiful book!

The illustrations were stunning, but the message of the book was really fantastic as well. The author speaks of death in a really simple but poignant way that would be great for someone dealing with grief, or just in general to reflect upon life. I liked it a great deal more than I expected!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<i>My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the gift of a complimentary digital copy in exchange for my thoughts.</i>

Two bunnies and a cat are the main three characters. When one of the bunnies becomes sick and dies, the friends find themselves wondering where their friend has gone and what happens next. The cat delicately suggests that the bunny is still with them in the garden, a part of their hearts and so a part of their lives forever.

This elegantly illustrated children's book tackles the topics of grief and loss. Such enigmatic concepts are hard for adults to understand and explain to themselves, so how do we go about answering a child's questions? A Garden of Creatures goes about it in a straightforward and sensitive way.