Chip

by Federico Gastaldi

Atticus and Chip share memories in this tender and beautifully illustrated picture book about losing a pet. 

Atticus wakes at his usual time, ready to feed Chip. But when he reaches the fishbowl, Chip is gone. When Atticus asks his loved ones where Chip is, he gets a range of answers in the form of gentle but evasive ways of explaining the concept of Chip is in a better place; Chip has moved on. These ideas are confusing for Atticus. 

Told from a child’s point of view, this honest depiction highlights the importance of memory as a coping strategy when grieving the loss of a loved one. Memories live in our hearts and keep our loved ones with us. This gentle story is an imaginative meditation on healing from grief. 

Genres: Picture Books, Death, Grief, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2023

Reviews

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Atticus comes down the stairs one day, he finds his beloved goldfish Chip missing. When he asks grown-ups what happened, he gets vague comments like "Chip has moved on," "Chip is gone," and "Chip is in a better place" and imagines what that means without fully understanding that Chip is dead. However, Atticus realizes that his beloved fish isn't coming back, and his grief is eased by cherishing memories.

[Susan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chip is Atticus' fish. One day Chip dies. This is an excellent introduction for young children how to negotiate the confusion and euphemisms of talking about death. In the end, Atticus realizes that he has his memories of his friend. This is a very useful first step in helping young children process the loss of a pet, or other losses in their lives.

[ErinTheLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

beloved goldfish is not in his bowl. People use euphemisms to explain that Chip died. Boy (white?) finally understands and gradually remembers the good memories.
Spare text. Predominantly orange and purple.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, lovely story about a child being confused by his goldfish’s death (the adults don’t give him a straight answer) and finding comfort in his memories of their time together.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture with the grandma floating beside chip on a couple balloons, trying to hand him a cookie, is everything!

[Y.Poston]

a child's exploration of death of a pet &
what grown-ups say about a pet who's "gone on"

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet way to introduce mortality with the story of a pet goldfish that died.