Finn's Feather

(Hardback)

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Publishing Details

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Description

Finn knows his brother is gone. But he also knows that Hamish sent the beautiful white feather on his doorstep.
Finn runs to shows his mother the feather from Hamish, but she only gives him a big hug. In school, Finn's teacher responds similarly. Why isn't anyone as excited as he is Finn sits quietly, cradling the beautiful, amazing feather. "Why did Hamish give it to you" asks his friend, Lucas. "Maybe he wanted to say hi" wonders Finn. "Maybe," Lucas says, "Hamish wanted you to have fun with it."Finn's Featheris a story about resilience and memoryabout a child, his brother, and a friend who meets him where he is.

'...the most beautiful story navigating the journey children take when they lose a loved family member. If you have a child who has lost someone I cannot recommend this book more highly...a beautiful uplifting story about how children find their own way to explain death and the importance of having people in their lives who can meet them where they are.' Rebecca Sparrow, author of The Girl Most Likely and Find Your Tribe

'Finn's Feather is a story about resilience and memory about a child, his brother, and a friend who meets him where he is.Finn's Feather will be treasured by many and, I hope, will find a place in the hands of those who need it the most.' Megan Daley, Children's Books Daily

'Finn's Feather is a beautiful and sad yet empowering picture book...a story to share with anyone who has or has not lost someone in their life. It is a celebration of life and a celebration of memories. It reminds us that just because someone isn't here on Earth with us anymore, it doesn't mean your relationship with them is over.If you have a child who is dealing with grief I highly recommend buying or borrowing this book.' Educate Empower

Teachers's notes available here

Reviews

A Choosing Therapy Best Grief Book for Children for 2022

"I treasure the book as a very fine example of a childs death narrative that rings true. Among other things, I appreciate the fact that the world of the living is an appealing, sun-filled place to be even while ones heart and mind feels sadness and loss."Wendy Lukehart, Youth Collections Coordinator, DC Public Library
"Inspired by Noble's own experience of loss, and enhanced by Abbott's naive, softly colored double-page-spread illustrations, the gentle story deals with death gracefully by celebrating those who have gone before. It will provide a welcome opportunity for parents to discuss a serious issue with their young children."Michael Cart, Booklist
"The episode is less about grieving the loss of a loved one than finding positive ways to remember and to regard the deceased."Kirkus Reviews
"A stunning story of a childs death told through the eyes of the brother. A feather arrives, a gift that nurtures loss, and leads to a day filled with laughter, love and the celebration of life, memory and exploring death in a healing and nurturing way. This book is a gift to those who have known loss and those that seek to understand and support."Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Wandering Bookseller
"Combined, the art and story create a useful, moving resource for bereaved children and their families."Publishers Weekly
"If you have a child who has lost someoneI cannot recommend this book more highly."Rebecca Sparrow, Rebecca Sparrow dot com
"...more a celebration of love than sadness over a death."kyurenka, Youth Services Book Review
"A grieving mother pays tribute to her lost son through an inspiring debut children's story."Who Magazine
"An imaginative and original story by Rachel Noble that is charmingly illustrated by Zoey Abbott, 'Finn's Feather' is a very highly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4 to 8."The Midwest Book Review
"In this delicately insightful story about love, loss and forever, Rachel Noble draws on personal experience to offer a gentle pathway forward for anyone who has lost a beloved child or parent, and the process of grieving; a pathway personal to everyone. ... Easy to read words combined with graceful artwork from Zoey Abbott completes a work which is both significant and poignant and perfect for children struggling to understand the process of death and grieving."Blue Wolf Reviews

While Finns Feather is specifically about the loss of a sibling, the message is applicable to any loss in a childs life. Finn walks outside one day and finds a white feather on his doorstep he could not be more sure that its from his deceased brother, Hamish... We see moments of joy, resilience, and enduring memory as Finn and his friend Lucas go on a journey to understand why Hamish sent the feather. And we soon find out that Lucas being willing to meet Finn where he is at in his season of grief, and be in that place with him, is a fantastic way to support someone you care about when they are dealing with loss. Kristen Souza (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), Choosing Therapy

Author Bio

Rachel Noble enjoys writing for children, particularly stories that sensitively empower them to navigate big feelings. Rachel loves rainbows, the beach and of course, feathers. She is lucky to get all of this in Queensland Australia, where she lives. She was inspired to write Finns Feather following the loss of her son Hamish in 2012. After Rachel got the idea for this story, she found a feather on her doorstep. Rachel has five beautiful children (including her beloved Hamish), and a patient husband. Rachel worked as a journalist, radio producer and voice-over artist before she became an author. www.rachelnobleauthor.com
Zoey Abbott is a grown-up, but she still has more questions than answers. She also feels like she knew something important when she was a kid, something that she has forgotten. So Zoey time travels in her mind, digging and scraping and scooping up old sticks and bones. She sometimes puts these in her stories.