How to Say Goodbye is a early reader graphic novel that deals with the very serious subject of death and dying. When young Penny discovers that her beloved pet salamander has just passed away, older brother Benny isn't very supportive. Thankfully, Penny has a a best friend, a mole named Melina, whose willing to help the young mouse say good-bye to her fallen friend. Will Benny come around to be the caring big brother Penny needs in order to bury her pet?Benny and Penny are the creation of award-winning children's author Geoffrey Hayes. Published by Toon Books, this is just another great children's graphic novel series that has an educational bent. But it wasn't all sad and I really thought the ending was both magical and poignant.
Dealing with the subject of death is hard, especially for children. I remember as a youngster of 3 or 4 when Mr. Hooper died on Sesame Street. My parents both took the day off from work and we watched it at my grandparents house in order to properly address the subject. It was a big deal and it was handled in such a way, that it's considered like the bench-mark of how to teach pre-school aged children about the death of a loved one. I would have to say that How to Say Goodbye does a very good job capturing that effort of the Children's Television Workshop.
The Benny and Penny books are rated at a level 2, meaning that it's written at a first or second grade reading level. However, one thing missing from this Toon Books publication is the study guide for adults to help young readers process what they just read. If any book was going to need that, it would be this one.
The art was timeless and adorable. The characters very memorable and I really think that not just this book but the entire series of (at time of this review) 5 other books would make a great addition to any youngsters library.
Worth Consuming
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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