Chippy Chipmunk: Friends in the Garden

This is one of the least melodramatic books about dying for kids that I have read. I liked the balance between missing his friend and getting on with life. This is one I might actually be able to read to the kids without blubbering. (Although probably not.) Definitely on my to-buy list.

This book contains some stunning photos to help younger children understand the hard topic of loss. Sadly for Chippy he loses his best friend Pickle to a fox, the story goes on to show how he has other friends to support him and how life goes on and to think of the positives and memories you had. Its very nicely written. I received a free copy of this book by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic, inspirational, beautiful book - definitely different, superb for use with any child who has experienced grief through the loss of someone or a pet, but also a brilliant story in its own right. In case you haven’t noticed, I REALLY like this book and highly recommend it!

The photographs throughout the book are incredible and chosen to be highly indicative of the text. The story itself concerns how Chippy the Chipmunk copes with the loss and death of his best friend, Pickle, a meadow vole. Initially Chippy doesn’t realise Pickle has died until other animal friends let him know of his friend’s fate. His friends help Chippy learn to express his grief and, after owls visiting his hibernation dreams, he emerges from hibernation with hope that life can get better.

There is guidance for parents and educators to help them use this story to support children experiencing the loss of a loved one. It could easily be used on either a one to one or to larger group/class. It also contains information about the animals involved in the story, giving information about them that could stimulate further discussions and investigations, helping develop children’s awareness of their environment and the creatures that may inhabit it, too.

This is the third book in the series, but the first one I've seen. I'll certainly be looking out for the first two books and other work by this author who is a brilliant photographer, too!

Chippy Chipmunk is playing I Spy with his friends. He spies an elephant who can fly! After playing I Spy with his friends, he decides to go and find his best friend, Pickle. There's only one problem, he can't seem to find Pickle anywhere. He decides to sleep and is woken by Rabbit who has come with some very sad news - Pickle has died. Chippy Chipmunk prepares to hibernate whilst going through the loss of his friend, but his friends are there to support him and some wise owls have some sage words of wisdom to pass on to him in his dreams...

This book is a brilliant book for both parents and educator who wish to discuss the often difficult subject of grief with children. The photography in the book is simply stunning and really adds to the story. It has some great advice in the back of the book suggesting ways to talking to children about grief through use of the book. The message sent across from the book is lovely and is carried in an accessible and friendly manner.

It would be a great book to use with younger pupils if they had experienced grief, either on a one-to-one basis with the pupil or as a whole class focussed lesson and discussion. As well as simply being a book about grief, it's also very informative with information about the animals in the book, their habitats, sizes and where in the world they can be found.

All in all, this was a lovely book and one which I hope to use when working with children.