Feathers by Karen Hendriks, illustrated by Kim Fleming

Title: Feathers
Author: Karen Hendriks, illustrated by Kim Fleming
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Empowering Resources
Published: September 2020
Format: Paperback
Pages: 32
Price: $17.00
Synopsis: ‘Dad, it’s my wish feather.’ I gently place my dream treasure under my pillow. Mum promised to always be with me…
Feathers is a gentle book that supports any children who may have lost a loved one. Sometimes a simple reminder of their presence can make all the difference.

‘This review is a part of the ‘Feathers’ by Karen Hendriks and Kim Fleming book campaign with Books On Tour PR & Marketing. A copy of the book was supplied by Empowering Resources.’

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The young boy at the heart of this story and his father are chasing feathers in their back garden when one falls, and the little boy says it is his wish feather, and he makes a wish. It is the wish he always makes, to see his Mum again. He wants her to be with him again, and his dreams and the feathers bring her to life again, if only for a while.

Losing a loved one at any age is hard. When you’re a kid, it can change your world in ways that are unimaginable. At a young age, your family is often your whole world. They’re always there, and you’re often doing everything with them.

Romi at Books on Tour asked me to review this for the blog tour this week, and I found this a delightfully simple yet evocative story about grief and moving on and knowing that those who love us never really leave us.

The words and pictures are powerful and filled with all the right emotions needed to help children deal with loss. The simple and easy to understand language for younger readers – both those being read to, and those confident enough to read on their own – deals with the complex issues of loss and death and feeling alone.

This book will help readers of all ages cope with death and loss and is told in a comforting way that is soothing and calming. It can also be read to relieve stress. I hope readers enjoy the journey this book takes them on and find something comforting in it.