This book is all about how to help the people you love when they are sad and grieving. The narrator makes a card for their brother when his cactus dies, but it turns out he just wants to hear a joke to make him laugh.
So then, they go to the library for a joke book when their cousin’s goldfish dies, but it turns out that what she wants is a hug.
Page after page, our narrator changes their tactic for offering comfort based on the last experience (snacks, looking at pictures), and along the way everyone needs something different. Finally when a friend’s grandma dies, this kid realizes that when they want to help but don’t know what to do, the first step is to ask.
However, articulating what we need is hard! The friend isn’t sure what she needs either, but by spending time together, they figure it out.
This is great for teaching kids how to support others, as well as affirming that it is ok to not know how to help or what you yourself might need for comfort.