#NetGalley Book Review: The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers by Meaghann Weaver, Lori Wiener

This is beautifully touching.

The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers
by Meaghann Weaver, Lori Wiener

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 2
Lexile Measure: 600 (What's this?)
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Magination Press; 1 edition (February 4, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 143383023X
Genre: Children, Death and Dying, Illness
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

Gerbert the gosling is strong and brave and has fun times with his family and friends but knows that, one day soon, he won’t be able to keep up with them anymore. As Gerbert prepares for his final migration, he finds a way to show his flock that he will always be with them. Includes a one-page Note to Readers and an online Note with additional information useful for parents, caregivers, grandparents, siblings, and teachers.

Review:
Gerbert is born into a loving family and flock. Sadly, as his siblings grow bigger and stronger, it is clear that something is wrong with Gerbert. He remains small and weaker. Although he has a bright, strong personality, his body continues to weaken. His parents help him with migration and his father even shares the experience of leading the flock for a short time.

When the time for the next migration comes, it is clear that Gerbert will not be able to join them physically. He finds a special way to leave a blessing for all of his family and friends so that he can be with them always in memory especially as they remember him and his special gifts.

This book opens with a page explaining to parents that it may be used to help young children who are suffering from a terminal illness and help children who are experiencing terminal illness in another family member or special friend. It is more directed toward child death but could be helpful facing the loss of any loved one.

I appreciated the brave, cheerful character of Gerbert. The story is straightforward and easy to share or be read by a mature young reader. The story does tend to bring one close to tears so I imagine it would be best for an adult to be present with a younger reader to help share the burdens of fear and sadness. The illustrations are soft and beautiful.

This provides a very graceful approach toward facing death and loss. Even if a family is not facing a death within its circle, this story would promote empathy for others in that circumstance. I recommend this as a beautiful story to share.

Source: NetGalley 2019-20 (Selected in December but received 2020.) This qualifies for 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.