One Wave at a Time: A Story About Grief and Healing

PreS-Gr 3-When Dad dies, Kai and his family struggle to deal with the waves of emotion they feel. Fear, sadness, anger, despair, loneliness, and even happiness, come rolling in, sometimes "too many, too fast." But then they start attending a grief support group allowing them to connect with "other families tumbled by waves." Home life changes, too, as Kai's family implements several strategies that allow them to remember Dad and process their grief in a healthy way. The waves never go away, but now Kai knows that he has the tools and support to "surf them one wave at a time." This illustrated free verse poem is divided into two sections. First, the waves of emotion are described with the acknowledgement that they can be unexpected and effect each person differently. Thompson intentionally leaves out the cause of Dad's death, providing a more universal, accessible story. The second half is dedicated to the healing process that begins with the grief support/bereavement group. Each coping strategy is merely touched upon in text and illustrations, but the importance of community and family support is clear. Crowley expertly uses mixed-media, jewel-tone illustrations with painterly textures to convey emotion. However, the linework and depictions of people lack clarity and polish. An author's note following the text provides more information on grieving, what to expect, and how to ask for help. Grief support resources and a short bibliography are also included in the back matter.