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Cover of The Memory Tree A Holiday Grief Book (Memory Box, 3)

The Memory Tree A Holiday Grief Book (Memory Box, 3)

by Joanna Rowland

Book Details

Publisher:Augsburg Fortress Publishers
Published:2025
Pages:40
Format:paperback
Language:en
ISBN:1506496644

Reading Info

Age Range:3-7

About This Book

A family experiencing their first holiday season after the loss of a loved one decorates a special Christmas tree filled with treasured memories.

Our Review

This gentle picture book offers a compassionate approach to helping young children navigate grief during the holiday season, when the absence of a loved one can feel particularly profound. Through the simple, powerful ritual of decorating a memory tree, a family honors their loss by sharing stories and hanging ornaments that represent cherished moments. The narrative provides a tangible framework for families to process complex emotions together, making difficult conversations about death and remembrance more accessible for preschool and early elementary children. This holiday grief book validates a child's experience of loss while celebrating the enduring nature of love.

What distinguishes this children's book about loss is its focus on active remembrance rather than passive sadness, giving families a constructive tradition they can incorporate into their own holiday celebrations. The memory tree concept serves as both a beautiful metaphor and a practical activity, allowing children to participate in honoring their loved one through creating ornaments and sharing memories. Parents seeking resources for explaining death to young children will find this particularly valuable for its age-appropriate handling of emotional topics and its emphasis on continuing bonds. This touching story ultimately transforms holiday grief into a shared experience of love and remembrance that will comfort families for seasons to come.

Themes

Juvenile Nonfiction

Subjects

Juvenile Nonfiction