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Grief Is an Elephant Hardcover – Picture Book, October 24, 2023

by Tamara Ellis Smith (Author), Nancy Whitesides (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
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An imaginative and heartfelt book that reminds us that there is no loss without love.

When Grief first arrives, it is like an elephant—so big that there is hardly room for anything else. But over time, Grief can become smaller and smaller—first a deer, then a fox, a mouse, and finally a flickering firefly in the darkness leading us down a path of loving remembrance.

This lyrical work is an empathetic and comforting balm for anyone who is experiencing grief, be it grieving the loss of a loved one or losses in the world around us.



REASSURING FEELINGS BOOK: Children can often feel confused by their emotions. The gentle voice and soft illustrations in this book help to make these emotions feel less frightening, and the hopeful ending provides a reassuring message that grief will transform over time.

TIMELESS REFLECTION ON GRIEF: The perennial themes of grief and sadness, as well as the graceful art style, make this perfect for anyone who is dealing with feelings of loss, whether that involves the loss of a loved one, grieving a pet, managing emotions during or after moving or being displaced, or responding to losses in a community or the larger world.

ACCESSIBLE: The open-ended narrative covers grief in a way that is not directly related to death. Poignant and honest, this book is a resource for parents and caregivers looking for ways to talk to children about grief and other kinds of sadness.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURE BOOK FOR ALL AGES: The exceptional text and art are a soothing treat to read. Like the best social-emotional books for kids, this lovely grief book holds as much meaning for kids navigating new feelings as for adults handling their own or their family's emotions around loss.

Perfect for:
  • Parents and grandparents seeking grief books for kids
  • Teachers and librarians seeking children's books about emotions to recommend or read aloud
  • Grief resource for social workers and other caregivers
  • Anyone looking for books about grief
  • A thoughtful gift for a grieving child, loved one, or friend
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 5 years
  2. Print length
    36 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - Kindergarten
  5. Dimensions
    9.35 x 0.32 x 9.4 inches
  6. Publisher
    Chronicle Books
  7. Publication date
    October 24, 2023
  8. ISBN-10
    1797212257
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1797212258
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tender ruminations on loss for the youngest readers.” ― Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Tamara Ellis Smith earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Richmond, Vermont, with her family.

Nancy Whitesides is an author and self-taught illustrator born and raised in the Philippines. She now lives in California.
 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books (October 24, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1797212257
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1797212258
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 5 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - Kindergarten
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.35 x 0.32 x 9.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. Tamara Ellis Smith

    Tamara Ellis Smith

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    I was a creative kid. I wrote in journals, I wrote poems, I wrote plays, I made clothes, I cooked. But I was not patient. In fact, I was almost allergic to patience. Truly. If something took more than a minute to do, then I got all itchy and breathed heavy like a dog on a hot day. If I couldn’t figure something out quickly, then I believed it wasn’t worth doing.

    Boy was I wrong.

    I had to work a long time to become a writer. I did a lot of other kinds of jobs, especially teaching. I became a mom. I went to Vermont College of Fine Arts. I read a lot of books. And I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote.

    Now I live in Vermont again. With my own family – four kids and my husband. My favorite things to do are running on the trails by my house with my friends and our dogs, making soup and chocolate desserts, writing stories for kids, and – still – reading.

    Oh, and practicing my patience.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Nancy Whitesides

    Nancy Whitesides

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Nancy Whitesides is an author and self-taught illustrator specializing in digital and traditional techniques including watercolor and gouache. Born and raised in the Philippines, she now lives in California. Her art and stories are inspired by her love for children, nature, and the feeling of still being the six-year-old girl who's just won the regional drawing contest, and climbed the giant tamarind tree behind Grandpa's house to watch the sun set. You can visit her at nancywhitesides.com and follow her on Instagram at @nancyillustrator.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
25 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jessica V.
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so good!
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Me and my daughter both love this book. It helps her to know that grief comes and goes. I really love how easily it is to relate to this book. It’s now part of our space for mental health. We love it.
One person found this helpful
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Red Canoe Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars This empathetic book helps children deal with their feelings of loss
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2023
We all grieve for someone or something, and this book offers us hope we’ll survive. Grief may begin as big and intrusive as an elephant; we’d like to get away from the elephant, but it is too strong. In time, though, you may get away, only to find the grief is still there. This time it’s a bit smaller, and over time a little smaller and a little smaller. Finally, you’re left with the memories and the love.

This empathetic book will help children deal with their feelings of loss; whether it’s a loved one, a pet or a life change. The soft watercolors and the gentle story wrap you in comfort and offer hope. It’s not only for children, but adults too. It’s a story for families, for counselors and anyone dealing with loss. It has a place on my forever shelf.
One person found this helpful
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Phil Demise
5.0 out of 5 stars the Journey from grief to a loving memory
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2023
This is a “wonder-full” book for young children who are at the beginning of experiencing the feelings that arise out of loss. Through simple, direct language and strong, yet very sensitive illustrations, the idea takes shape that grief can be the beginning of a journey to a loving memory. The stages of grief begin with the initial heavy, elephant-sized feeling, which is too big and strong to run away from. But when grief returns later, it comes quietly, in a gentle way, like a deer and so you feel you can just tiptoe, quietly away from that feeling. But as it returns again and again, each time the memory of the loss becomes softer and more acceptable until eventually it can be embraced and welcomed as a loving memory. I highly recommend this book artistically and emotionally as a giant step forward in the complex world of childhood experience.
2 people found this helpful
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Benjamin K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Growing from grief; loss is part of life.
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023
Beautifully illustrated, "Grief is an Elephant" is a heartwarming, poignant parable about living with loss. The central metaphor (grief as decreasingly formidable -- and progressively companionable -- animals) is charming and accessible. Though particularly appropriate for a child who is processing the death of a loved one, the book is certainly not limited to that audience; any sensitive, thoughtful child (or parent) will be edified by its message: grief + time = growth.
One person found this helpful
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Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and heartfelt
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2023
This is a beautifully written and illustrated book. I did question the targeted age range thinking this might be for older children, but then changed my mind. This book is for all ages. I was emotionally touched by this book. Well done!
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Harriet K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Grief is an animal
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
This book is a treasure! The idea of using animal metaphors for the various stages of grief is brilliant and effective. I would recommend the book to anyone experiencing a major loss and coping with an overwhelming reaction to it. Smith and Whitesides synthesize the the emotions into an almost manageable, visual form. Kudos to them both!
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musicaltheaterkid
5.0 out of 5 stars A comforting book for anyone experiencing grief
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023
GRIEF IS AN ELEPHANT walks the reader through the range of feelings associated with grief. It’s a small child’s journey using animals to represent the size of their feelings, yet is appropriate for any age reader. The illustrations are gorgeous, and writing spot on to describe the difficult journey through grief. I’ve already shared my copy with a young friend and they found comfort after reading it.
One person found this helpful
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Molly Dugan
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and touching book not only for children on the journey of grief
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023
This book is so comforting because the author and illustrator use beautiful and gentle prose and pictures to lead us through the difficult and mysterious grieving process. I loved the animal imagery especially. This is not just a children's book! I bought it for myself and my 80 YO Mom!
2 people found this helpful
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