MIMI'S STRATEGY What to do when your birdie dies

By Linda Goudsmit

How can a child understand the loss of a beloved pet and remember the good times without being overwhelmed by sadness?

Hildy's birdie, Peetie Pie, dies, and Hildy must learn what it means when a living thing does not wake up again. Mimi explains the cycle of life by comparing living things to leaves that grow, change, eventually die and fall off the tree to the ground. Hildy learns to remember the fun she had caring for Peetie Pie and uses Mimi's strategy to think about the leaves when she feels sad.

Mimi's Strategy: "Then I want you to STOP and remember the leaves falling off the trees."

What children will learn:
- Understand the basic idea of the cycle of life in age-appropriate language.
- Remember shared experiences as part of saying goodbye to a pet.
- Use a concrete image from nature to organize difficult thoughts.
- Talk about sadness and loss within a loving family relationship.
Perfect for:
- Homeschool and public-school families navigating the loss of a family pet.
- Homeschool and public-school educators introducing age-appropriate conversations about life and death.
- Parents looking for a gentle read-aloud after a pet dies.
- Grandparents helping children remember and talk about a beloved animal.

Part of the growing Mimi's Strategy series, an expanding collection of illustrated books by Linda Goudsmit that turn everyday childhood problems into opportunities to stop, think, and choose a successful strategy to solve each problem. Designed for ages 3-8, the series gives families and educators a warm, repeatable way to talk about responsibility, independence, competence, self-control, critical thinking, and family life.

"Learning to think strategically rather than react emotionally is a valuable skill that will empower any child throughout his or her life. Plus, I have yet to meet the child who would prefer a reprimand to a kiss." - Linda Goudsmit

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1953255124
• ISBN13: 9781953255129
• Release Date: April 2021
• Publisher: Contrapoint Publishing
• Length: 50 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.0" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 3 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3