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A Gift of Feathers
A picture book by Ken Schept and illustrated by Romina Galotta about the power of remembrance and intergenerational tradition.
When she finds a feather, Grandma Dot adds it to her collection. Feathers, she tells her two granddaughters, remind Grandma Dot of people she’s lost. At first, the girls see the feathers as fun to play with. But soon, Grandma Dot’s feathers take on larger meanings – of comfort, remembrance, and love.
This affectionate, hopeful story will inspire readers of all ages to make memories and traditions part of their own family stories.
When she finds a feather, Grandma Dot adds it to her collection. Feathers, she tells her two granddaughters, remind Grandma Dot of people she’s lost. At first, the girls see the feathers as fun to play with. But soon, Grandma Dot’s feathers take on larger meanings – of comfort, remembrance, and love.
This affectionate, hopeful story will inspire readers of all ages to make memories and traditions part of their own family stories.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 10, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 24, 2023
What a lovely book! Every summer, Talula and Rhea visit their Grandma Dot, who lives in the city. Grandma keeps a vase by the door, filled with feathers that she finds. They remind her of her own parents, watching over her. On the last visit, Grandma Dot lets the girls play with the feathers - the collection has grown to three vases full! They throw the feathers up in the air, and then sort them, and count them. There are 99! Grandma Dot is 99 - next year, they will be celebrating her 100th birthday. Only, that doesn't happen. Instead, they go to her funeral. It's a confusing time for Rhea and Talula. They have a lot of questions. Once they are back home, they find two white feathers that help them fondly remember their Grandma Dot and the impact she had on their lives.
The Author's Note at the end of the book is lovely. You might even want to read it first, before you read the book. It adds a bit of perspective to the story.
I think this is an excellent book to read with a child who has lost someone they loved.
The Author's Note at the end of the book is lovely. You might even want to read it first, before you read the book. It adds a bit of perspective to the story.
I think this is an excellent book to read with a child who has lost someone they loved.
April 18, 2023
A Gift of Feathers is a fitting tribute to Grandma Dot, her life and her death, her love for her family and their love for her.
After a person dies, the memories that we hold fill some of the emptiness, reminding us of the love shared when that person has left our sight. A Gift of Feathers is a most beautiful story for children to read or be read to. The story introduces death in a loving and supportive fashion, enhanced through very charming illustrations by Romina Galotta.
In Judaism, you say when someone dies, “May his or her memory be for a blessing.” The author concurs, saying “the power of memory [is] a source of comfort after loss.” His mother passed away after a long, fruitful life, loved by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This story shows the support of a multi-generational family, the affection between the generations and the support given in time of death.
After a person dies, the memories that we hold fill some of the emptiness, reminding us of the love shared when that person has left our sight. A Gift of Feathers is a most beautiful story for children to read or be read to. The story introduces death in a loving and supportive fashion, enhanced through very charming illustrations by Romina Galotta.
In Judaism, you say when someone dies, “May his or her memory be for a blessing.” The author concurs, saying “the power of memory [is] a source of comfort after loss.” His mother passed away after a long, fruitful life, loved by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This story shows the support of a multi-generational family, the affection between the generations and the support given in time of death.
February 23, 2023
The water color, ink and colored pencil drawings are really emotive. They show the blending and flow of water colors very well. My daughter likes to collect feathers like the daughters in the book. Her mother said that relatives who have passed on are letting her know they are watching out for her and thinking of her by letting feathers fall to Earth
October 10, 2024
A sweet book of Grandma Dot and her granddaughters Rhea and Talula. Grandma Dot collects feathers and thinks of her parents each time she finds a feather.
A wonderful celebration of life and traditions that are generational.
My husband collects feathers he finds and keeps them in a jar. I love that my girls may one day continue this tradition.
A wonderful celebration of life and traditions that are generational.
My husband collects feathers he finds and keeps them in a jar. I love that my girls may one day continue this tradition.
December 1, 2022
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. This touching book with gorgeous, detailed illustrations is about family, traditions, and remembering loved ones when they’re no longer with us. A beautiful read that I would definitely recommend.
October 25, 2022
5 stars for this touching title about honoring the memory of those who have forever left us
I read a digital advanced reader's copy of this title, courtesy of the publisher
I read a digital advanced reader's copy of this title, courtesy of the publisher
January 28, 2023
Hard to resist a book about feathers with my own daughter's unique name in it. 😍
May 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book: the illustrations are engaging, there is story and plot, and it tackles things like grief and remembrance.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews