Chip
Atticus and his goldfish Chip share memories in this tender and beautifully illustrated picture book about losing a pet.
Atticus wakes at his usual time, ready to feed Chip. But when he reaches the fishbowl, Chip is gone. When Atticus asks his loved ones where Chip is, he gets a range of answers in the form of gentle but evasive ways of explaining the concept of death: Chip is in a better place; Chip has moved on. These ideas are confusing for Atticus.
Told from a child’s point of view, this honest depiction highlights the importance of memory as a coping strategy when grieving the loss of a loved one. Memories live in our hearts and keep our loved ones with us. This gentle story is an imaginative meditation on healing from grief.
★ "Whimsical, appealing, and gently humorous…. Gastaldi is like a magician; both the text and illustrations retain a light touch as the child deals with his loss…. Perfectly captures a child’s response to death with respect, sensitivity, and reassuring humor." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Atticus wakes at his usual time, ready to feed Chip. But when he reaches the fishbowl, Chip is gone. When Atticus asks his loved ones where Chip is, he gets a range of answers in the form of gentle but evasive ways of explaining the concept of death: Chip is in a better place; Chip has moved on. These ideas are confusing for Atticus.
Told from a child’s point of view, this honest depiction highlights the importance of memory as a coping strategy when grieving the loss of a loved one. Memories live in our hearts and keep our loved ones with us. This gentle story is an imaginative meditation on healing from grief.
★ "Whimsical, appealing, and gently humorous…. Gastaldi is like a magician; both the text and illustrations retain a light touch as the child deals with his loss…. Perfectly captures a child’s response to death with respect, sensitivity, and reassuring humor." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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Praise
Praise for Chip:
* "Whimsical, appealing, and gently humorous…. A witty, comforting paean to a beloved lost fish…. Gastaldi is like a magician; both the text and illustrations retain a light touch as the child deals with his loss. . . Perfectly captures a child’s response to death with respect, sensitivity, and reassuring humor." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Whimsical, appealing, and gently humorous…. A witty, comforting paean to a beloved lost fish…. Gastaldi is like a magician; both the text and illustrations retain a light touch as the child deals with his loss. . . Perfectly captures a child’s response to death with respect, sensitivity, and reassuring humor." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Gastaldi’s digital art in rich blues and oranges conveys the intensity of Atticus’s feelings. Eventually, happy memories of Chip soften the boy’s grief, and he is comforted, knowing 'he would always remember.' Gastaldi keeps both text and illustrations simple, avoiding distractions and allowing a child reader to focus on Atticus and his sense of loss. Recommended websites and books to use when talking with children about this difficult subject are appended."
—Horn Book
"One morning, Atticus wakes up to find that his pet goldfish, Chip, is not in his bowl…. A heartfelt book for children who have lost a pet."
—Booklist
"This story is very relevant to a contemporary audience, especially to children who are unfamiliar with the concept of death and are unprepared when a dear pet passes away…. Brief text and a limited color palette work together to describe Atticus’s loss in a visual way, while simultaneously making the book accessible to a wide range of young readers. Sweet and heartfelt, this tale will resonate with families and will invite conversation with every reading. This is a helpful tool for families experiencing the loss of a pet or a loved one, and a good addition to library collections for young readers."
—School Library Journal