Losing a beloved pet is hard no matter what age you are. When that beloved pet goes to The Bridge when a child is involved, it can be even more difficult. Being able to deal with the loss and process all the feelings that come with it is never easy. But when there are books like this that allow the child to say goodbye in actions, it provides a catharsis. The child is encouraged to remember the good times and to celebrate the time they had together. I would think the activity book is a great tool to help begin the healing. It is not unlike the process that many adults go through as they confront their sadness and loss.

Finally, it will be a lasting memory, with pictures and words, that the child can keep and look back on as they go through life. What a wonderful tribute this could be for someone who left a big hole in the heart. Five purrs and two paws up.

Gentle Goodbyes is such a thoughtful and compassionate resource for helping kids process the loss of a pet. It’s packed with activities that create space for sadness, memories, and healing—all in a way that feels age-appropriate without being sugar-coated. I loved how it encouraged both expression and reflection without overwhelming young readers. It helped my niece open up about her feelings when her dog passed away, and honestly, I learned a lot too just flipping through it with her.

I love books for children that help them cope with hard things and feelings. I also love books that are interactive and help bring a lesson to reality. This book had both. It is the perfect resource for your middle school aged kid on how to cope with the death of their companion animal. Honestly, I wish I had this book when I was in my 20s and lost my dog. Great book!

This book is such a great tool to help young readers navigate their grief when they lose a pet. However, I have just two small critiques for this book that I want to mention early:

1. I really liked the inspirational and sweet quotes at the bottom of some pages, but I would have liked to see some more consistency with this unique detail. I didn't notice any quotes in the first half (roughly) of the book, but there was one on almost every page for the last half.
2. There was a lot of repetition in this book. I thought that some of the activities were a bit too similar to a previous activity, without adding a lot of new elements. Even if the book is shorter, I think that the message is accurately delivered the first time.

Other than those two things, though, I really like this book! The author's writing style is so gentle, kind, and genuine, making this book so, so touching and meaningful. Bravo!

Okay, so who gave this book the right to make me cry and feel better in the same ten minutes?! 😭✨ Gentle Goodbyes is the real MVP for kiddos dealing with losing their furry BFFs. It’s not preachy or boring—it's full of cool activities, sweet spaces to remember your pet, and honest ways to say goodbye without all the grown-up awkwardness. If your little one just lost a pet, trust me, this book = comfort in paper form. 🐾🖍️💕

Tears, Tails & Healing - Helping Kids Say Goodbye with Heart

Gentle Goodbyes is the kind of healing hug kids don’t know they need—cleverly disguised as puzzles, doodles, and sweet journaling prompts that help little hearts grieve big losses without overwhelming them.

Great way for children to work their way through pet loss. It may not be the complete answer but it is a good tool for you to help.

Losing a pet is a heartbreak I know all too well, even as an adult. The bond we form with our animals is deeply personal and full of love, and when they’re gone, the grief can be overwhelming. I can only imagine how confusing and painful that loss must feel for a child who doesn’t yet have the language or tools to process something so big. That’s why I found this Pet Loss Activity Book for Kids to be such a special and meaningful resource.

This book is thoughtfully created for children ages 8 to 12, but its heart and compassion will resonate with anyone helping a young person through grief. It blends gentle guidance with creative, age-appropriate activities that help kids explore their feelings in a way that feels natural and comforting. With over 60 pages of word puzzles, journaling prompts, and drawing exercises, it turns something so heavy into small, manageable pieces a child can actually work through.

What I love most is how the activities are framed as play—but underneath, they’re offering real emotional support. From writing a letter to a pet who’s passed, to doodling memories or completing a puzzle that brings back joyful moments, every page gives children permission to feel, remember, and begin to heal. It doesn’t rush the process or try to fix the sadness. Instead, it meets kids exactly where they are, with understanding and tenderness.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, grandparent, or counselor, this book is a beautiful tool to have on hand when a child loses a pet. It doesn’t try to diminish the pain—they do hurt deeply—but it helps them feel less alone in that pain. I only wish something like this had existed when I was a child.