Poppy and Ereth

A parent should reach for this book when their child is beginning to process the concept of mortality or is facing the reality of saying a final goodbye to a beloved elder or friend. This concluding chapter of the Poppy series follows the aging deer mouse and her curmudgeonly best friend, Ereth the porcupine, as they embark on a final, perilous journey to find Ereth's birthplace. It is a deeply moving exploration of devotion, the frailty of life, and the enduring nature of love even after a physical presence is gone. While the book deals with the heavy subject of death, it is balanced with Avi's signature humor and the rustic charm of Dimwood Forest. It is ideal for children ages 8 to 12 who have grown up with these characters or for those who need a gentle, secular way to discuss the legacy of a life well lived. It normalizes the sadness of loss while emphasizing that our friends live on through the stories we tell and the bravery they inspired in us.