By Emma Bettridge (author) , Josephine Birch (illustrator)
"Beautifully told and illustrated tale of what it means to love and lose a friend"
Paperback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
Ebook Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply. £4.99
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November 2022 Book of the Month
Merlin the dog is going for a walk. It’s a familiar route, past the shops, up the lane, across the fields and up the hill. He’s reluctant to go at first, because his best friend, black Labrador Hobbs, ‘the gentlest dog that ever was’, has gone. The empty dog basket tells us all we need to know.
But on his walk, Merlin is surprised and delighted to sniff out messages left for him by Hobbs in their favourite places. ‘I am OK’ they say, ‘It was time for me to go away’ and ‘If you need me/Just remember me here. I am with you, even though you can’t see me.’ It’s a sensitive and effective way to describe love and loss to young children, Merlin a wonderfully warm and comforting presence.
Emma Bettridge’s text is full of lyricism, Josephine Birch’s painterly illustrations fluid and expressive, and this is a special book to share.
Merlin won’t go out. Not without his best friend Hobbs. Join Merlin as he goes on an adventure to learn how to say ‘Goodbye Hobbs’.
Read the full description
In this poetic text we are introduced to Merlin. Merlin won’t go out because he misses his best friend Hobbs. Merlin’s owner takes him on a walk and he ends up on a journey to learn how to say ‘Goodbye Hobbs’ and find reasons to go for walks again.
As one of the only children’s books addressing these feelings using animals, the book can also be used to discuss the loss of a beloved family pet. Goodbye Hobbs is a perfect resource for teachers or parents who may struggle to explain the complicated emotions surrounding the loss of someone.
Brilliantly illustrated by Josephine Birch, Goodbye Hobbs has already been recognised by a host of international book awards including the Laureate Award for Illustration, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Award and the World Illustration Award. It was also selected to be part of this year’s International dPICTUS Showcase.
'Goodbye Hobbs is an absolute joy to read aloud and a joy to look at – the design, the text layout, the illustrations… this book has a wonderful rhythm to the words and Josephine’s artwork is full of movement and fluidity like the wistful smells the main character chases.' Clare Helen Welsh, Books That Help
'An amazing story one that I recommend children reading as it might help them come to terms when grief strikes after an animal passes away.' BookRead2Day
'Quiet, meaningful, filled with feeling…a book that helps you find reasons to go for a walk again. Beautiful.' Mary Esther Judy, FallenStar Stories
'The illustrations are beautiful, perfectly capturing the whispers of memories in the trees.' It's All About Stories
Emma Bettridge is a theatre producer, director, festival curator, and a children’s picture book writer. She is currently working with the likes of Pins and Needles, Vic Llewellyn, Bea Roberts, Laila Diallo, Katy Owen, Jen Bell and Elisabeth Westcott and is an associate lecturer at Bath Spa University, on the M.A. Creative Producing course.
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Merlin won’t go out. Not without his best friend Hobbs.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Goodbye Hobbs and determined it is suitable for children aged 5-8 years old
Goodbye Hobbs features in the following genres: Featured Books for 5+ readers, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, The Natural World, Pets, PSHE: Bereavement and Grief, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Poetry Books for Children, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s / Teenage poetry, anthologies, annuals
Paperback, Ebook. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Goodbye Hobbs was written by Emma Bettridge and published by Graffeg Limited
Goodbye Hobbs has 40 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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