This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Shari Marshall for Readers' Favorite
Grandparents have a special role in children’s lives, before and after death. The Best Bunny: The Adventures of Lil Shen, written by Shenandoah Chefalo and illustrated by Alena Tkach, provides a gentle retrospective exploration of loss and grief. Lil Shen is struggling with the death of her grandmother, a prominent figure in her life. She feels lost and alone on the day of the funeral, but does her best to navigate her way through it. A final gift from her grandmother gives Lil Shen support and a way to cope with her grief: a magical bunny. The bunny is powered by Imagine─A─Shen (imagination). Grandma had said, “You have a special, super-powered IMAGINE─A─SHEN!” It is another reminder of Grandma and her belief in Lil Shen's ability to overcome.
The opening narrative of The Best Bunny begins with adult Lil Shen stating, “I want to tell you...” She shares her experience of death and grieving, but the point of view switches from the first person to third, allowing her to present her emotional growth with objectivity. The story’s message is that it’s okay not to feel okay sometimes, but you won’t feel that way forever. The narrative and the accompanying images express the idea that a lost loved one lives on in our memories. The illustrations help convey the story’s emotional undertone. The ending suggests future adventures for Lil Shen and her bunny. Shenandoah Chefalo's picture book opens a dialogue about loss and grief.
