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Finding Joy
Helping Children Find Joy Again After Loss
Loss is a powerful experience for any child, especially when that loss involves a member of their family. In her latest children’s book, Finding Joy (Story Monsters Press), author Raven Howell helps children navigate the painful—and often confusing—feelings that arise from the death of a loved one.
Finding Joy tells the story of a little girl and her adopted brother, John, who rescue a sweet old dog, Joy, from the local animal shelter. As the seasons slide past, the children learn how magical it is to have a pet friend by their sides—romping through the winter snow, splashing through spring puddles, and picking autumn apples. But one day old Joy lays down to take a nap and does not wake up. At first, the children are shocked, finding it difficult to process the feelings of sadness they experience in Joy’s absence. With the love and support of their parents, they learn to recall the good memories they shared with sweet Joy, even preparing them to welcome a new pet friend into the family.
“This book is an excellent vehicle for presenting the concept of death to a young child before the need for this discussion occurs,” says Denise A. Angelo, a licensed clinical social worker and contributor of the resource, “How to Talk to Children About Loss,” included as an appendage to Finding Joy.
The inspiration for Finding Joy arose from the current global pandemic, as many children confront loss and grief for the very first time. “Over the past couple of years, with all the emotions we've experienced, children in particular need to know that we are in this together, that they are safe, included, and not alone in how they feel,” says Howell, who chose the theme of pet loss because of its timeless ability to capture an experience many children will relate to.
“I have always wanted to add a book to our library that helps children process the passing of a loved one,” says Linda F. Radke, publisher of Story Monsters Press and president of Story Monsters LLC. “This story, along with its illustrations, does a tremendous job offering both understanding and hope, and Story Monsters is proud to be the publisher.”
Howell is an award-winning author and poet of more than a dozen picture books and a frequent contributor to Story Monsters Ink, Highlights for Children, Cricket, Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Fun for Kidz, Ladybug, and The School Magazine. She was also the director of a poetry contest for Story Monsters and compiled the students’ winning poems and artwork in I am Monster Magnificent.
Combining simple, yet powerful prose with richly textured illustrations, Finding Joy is a collaboration between Howell and artist Pamela C. Rice. Following a decorated career in advertising, graphic design, and visual communications, Rice turned to children’s book illustration in 2015 and has since published 12 books, including When the Brown Bird Flies, The Painting Speaks, Aaron’s Dreams, and Rufus Finds a Prize.
Finding Joy and other Story Monsters Press titles are available for purchase in the Story Monsters online store and Amazon. Story Monsters Press is an imprint of Story Monsters LLC, dedicated to publishing books that offer hope, value differences, and help children build character. Each book also includes a curriculum guide complementing the story for parents and educators to utilize with young readers. To learn more about Story Monsters Press, or to request a review copy of Finding Joy, please visit www.storymonsters.com.
About Story Monsters LLC
Story Monsters LLC is home to the award-winning Story Monsters Ink® magazine, the literary resource for teachers, librarians and parents.
Loss is a powerful experience for any child, especially when that loss involves a member of their family. In her latest children’s book, Finding Joy (Story Monsters Press), author Raven Howell helps children navigate the painful—and often confusing—feelings that arise from the death of a loved one.
Finding Joy tells the story of a little girl and her adopted brother, John, who rescue a sweet old dog, Joy, from the local animal shelter. As the seasons slide past, the children learn how magical it is to have a pet friend by their sides—romping through the winter snow, splashing through spring puddles, and picking autumn apples. But one day old Joy lays down to take a nap and does not wake up. At first, the children are shocked, finding it difficult to process the feelings of sadness they experience in Joy’s absence. With the love and support of their parents, they learn to recall the good memories they shared with sweet Joy, even preparing them to welcome a new pet friend into the family.
“This book is an excellent vehicle for presenting the concept of death to a young child before the need for this discussion occurs,” says Denise A. Angelo, a licensed clinical social worker and contributor of the resource, “How to Talk to Children About Loss,” included as an appendage to Finding Joy.
The inspiration for Finding Joy arose from the current global pandemic, as many children confront loss and grief for the very first time. “Over the past couple of years, with all the emotions we've experienced, children in particular need to know that we are in this together, that they are safe, included, and not alone in how they feel,” says Howell, who chose the theme of pet loss because of its timeless ability to capture an experience many children will relate to.
“I have always wanted to add a book to our library that helps children process the passing of a loved one,” says Linda F. Radke, publisher of Story Monsters Press and president of Story Monsters LLC. “This story, along with its illustrations, does a tremendous job offering both understanding and hope, and Story Monsters is proud to be the publisher.”
Howell is an award-winning author and poet of more than a dozen picture books and a frequent contributor to Story Monsters Ink, Highlights for Children, Cricket, Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Fun for Kidz, Ladybug, and The School Magazine. She was also the director of a poetry contest for Story Monsters and compiled the students’ winning poems and artwork in I am Monster Magnificent.
Combining simple, yet powerful prose with richly textured illustrations, Finding Joy is a collaboration between Howell and artist Pamela C. Rice. Following a decorated career in advertising, graphic design, and visual communications, Rice turned to children’s book illustration in 2015 and has since published 12 books, including When the Brown Bird Flies, The Painting Speaks, Aaron’s Dreams, and Rufus Finds a Prize.
Finding Joy and other Story Monsters Press titles are available for purchase in the Story Monsters online store and Amazon. Story Monsters Press is an imprint of Story Monsters LLC, dedicated to publishing books that offer hope, value differences, and help children build character. Each book also includes a curriculum guide complementing the story for parents and educators to utilize with young readers. To learn more about Story Monsters Press, or to request a review copy of Finding Joy, please visit www.storymonsters.com.
About Story Monsters LLC
Story Monsters LLC is home to the award-winning Story Monsters Ink® magazine, the literary resource for teachers, librarians and parents.
- GenresChildrens
Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
1939 people want to read
About the author
Raven Howell
38 books267 followersRaven is an award winning author and poet of picture books. She's a journalist for Story Monsters Ink magazine and Voice. She writes for children's magazines such as Highlights for Children, Ladybug, Cricket, and Hello. Raven is the Creative & Publishing Advisor for RedClover Reader, and writes educational storybooks for various children's publishers. She's a contributing author for Reading is Fundamental (SOCAL) and I Am A Promise Books.
Her work is published in anthologies, in DVD and CD format, in both public and home schooling programs. Raven has won several awards including Excellence in Children's Literature, A Golden Box Books, NABE's Pinnacle, SCBWI Magazine Merit, and Global Impact Award. She remains active with charity work, and presenting children's workshops for elementary classes and in libraries. Raven is a member of the SCBWI and ILA and IBPA.
Strolling the beach, music, reading, spring flowers, a warm wood stove, and straight-out-of-the-oven butterscotch chocolate chip cookies inspire many of her poems and stories.
Her work is published in anthologies, in DVD and CD format, in both public and home schooling programs. Raven has won several awards including Excellence in Children's Literature, A Golden Box Books, NABE's Pinnacle, SCBWI Magazine Merit, and Global Impact Award. She remains active with charity work, and presenting children's workshops for elementary classes and in libraries. Raven is a member of the SCBWI and ILA and IBPA.
Strolling the beach, music, reading, spring flowers, a warm wood stove, and straight-out-of-the-oven butterscotch chocolate chip cookies inspire many of her poems and stories.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 6, 2026
Finding Joy by Raven Howell and illustrated by Pamela C. Rice is a simple, yet heartwarming story dealing with grief. Told from the perspective of a young child of about 8, Finding Joy touches on adoption and death from the perspective of a young child. Ms. Howell has written an easy to read story that children will enjoy. The topic of adoption is mentioned for a human and a pet, but in easy to understand language. The topic of death is the focus, and parents can rest assured that it is handled with great care, presenting an opportunity for deeper discussion with their children. The accompanying guide at the end about dealing with grief, written by Denise A.Angelo LCSW-R includes many wonderful activities that can be done with children of all ages who need to process their grief. Adults can benefit from these activities as well. The watercolor illustrations are soothing and colourful. I would highly recommend this book especially for families who have experienced a loss of a pet or a loved one. The author creates a comforting story for children to begin to understand their feelings about death.
March 20, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and it’s even signed by the author! Very cute story! This story is about a family that adopts a dog from the shelter and names her “Joy”. The story shows the children and their interactions with their dog and each other, and dealing with the grief of losing a family pet. I love that the story, written from the perspective of one child, shows the growth of the bond between the children as well as the new family pet, and how the family processes their grief and loss. The story then ends with the family adopting a new family friend and moving forward with the fond memories of Joy. Very cute book and even made me tear up!
Also, for parents, there is a section at the end about how to talk to your children about loss. It’s very practical and helpful.
Also, for parents, there is a section at the end about how to talk to your children about loss. It’s very practical and helpful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2023
A wonderful story for all young children and their families. This book is provides an excellent roadmap for explaining the concept of love and loss to children, as well as the healing process of remembrance and honoring that loss. The illustrations are lovely and expressive of the author’s message. The Resource Guide “How to Talk to Children About Loss” at the end of the book is a bonus. I am passing my copy along to a niece whose family has recently lost their beloved canine family member. She’s also a primary grade teacher and will undoubtedly share in her classroom.
Beautiful and well done!
Beautiful and well done!
December 4, 2025
Four Point Three Stars
Finding Joy is an illustrated book that deals with the difficult topics of handling difficult emotions of loss and grief for children. While Joy, the dog of the family is no more, the little girl and her family that includes her adopted brother all learn how to handle their grief and remember that ‘joy’ eventually remains even after a loss. Good read for caregivers and for older children.
Review also found at:
https://ok-readingcorner.blogspot.com...
Finding Joy is an illustrated book that deals with the difficult topics of handling difficult emotions of loss and grief for children. While Joy, the dog of the family is no more, the little girl and her family that includes her adopted brother all learn how to handle their grief and remember that ‘joy’ eventually remains even after a loss. Good read for caregivers and for older children.
Review also found at:
https://ok-readingcorner.blogspot.com...
March 10, 2023
Great book for discussing loss with young children. It has an easy to follow story about losing a pet that allows for an open discussion with young kids about what happens when someone they love dies and how to mourn and continue on. Awesome book!
March 11, 2023
This was a well written book. It was easy to read to children and they understood what happened and it prompted them to answer and ask questions. Some had shared s story of someone or a pet that had passed.
March 18, 2023
Read this book with my 4 year old, and as animal lovers and owners, it was a nice, simple way to discuss the inevitable. Nice Children’s book to brief the subject of pets as family members and loss.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews