WONDERFUL GOODBYES
A tender, moving picture book about how saying goodbye to a beloved pet is a celebration of everyday and everlasting love.
How do you say goodbye to a beloved pet?
Is it quiet? Is it lonely? Is it sad?
Or can it be wonderful?
Bailey has been sleeping more and eating less. And her human best friend knows the time has come to say goodbye. So together they sit under their favorite blanket, go on their favorite walk, and visit their favorite spot, choosing joy over sadness. Although Bailey will be gone soon, she will never be forgotten.
How do you say goodbye to a beloved pet?
Is it quiet? Is it lonely? Is it sad?
Or can it be wonderful?
Bailey has been sleeping more and eating less. And her human best friend knows the time has come to say goodbye. So together they sit under their favorite blanket, go on their favorite walk, and visit their favorite spot, choosing joy over sadness. Although Bailey will be gone soon, she will never be forgotten.
"A beautifully rendered, lyrical depiction of the feelings of a child as their pet’s life nears its end."
Wonderful Goodbyes celebrates love in the face of grief. But how can anyone feel an ounce of bliss while grieving? That question echoed through my mind during the spring of 2020. I had just returned home from RISD amidst the COVID-19 lockdowns when Bailey passed away suddenly from an undiscovered illness. The clouded sorrow of losing Bailey was as painful as losing a cherished loved one.
In the months that followed, I began writing down all the things Bailey and I loved doing together. When assigned a final project in my RISD Picture and Words class, I transformed the memoir into a manuscript. I explored various compositions in an effort to recapture our memories together, hoping to create an uplifting and beautiful story about grief and loss—a gentle, warm embrace for those experiencing sorrow.
At the last class, I read aloud Wonderful Goodbyes on Zoom while clicking through my illustrated dummy. My classmates were brought to tears. Holding back my own, I was deeply touched by how much it resonated. Moments later, I received exciting news from my professor: several publishers were eager to bring Wonderful Goodbyes to life.
This book is my love letter to those we've lost and the memories we hold dear—a reminder to celebrate past joys and cherish present moments with our loved ones.
Sketches & process:
