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Finn's Feather
Finn knows his brother is gone. But he also knows that Hamish sent the beautiful white feather on his doorstep.
Finn runs to shows his mother the feather from Hamish, but she only gives him a big hug. In school, Finns teacher responds similarly. Why isnt anyone as excited as he is? Finn sits quietly, cradling the beautiful, amazing feather. Why did Hamish give it to you? asks his friend, Lucas. Maybe he wanted to say hi? wonders Finn. Maybe, Lucas says, Hamish wanted you to have fun with it. Finns Feather is a story about resilience and memoryabout a child, his brother, and a friend who meets him where he is.
Finn runs to shows his mother the feather from Hamish, but she only gives him a big hug. In school, Finns teacher responds similarly. Why isnt anyone as excited as he is? Finn sits quietly, cradling the beautiful, amazing feather. Why did Hamish give it to you? asks his friend, Lucas. Maybe he wanted to say hi? wonders Finn. Maybe, Lucas says, Hamish wanted you to have fun with it. Finns Feather is a story about resilience and memoryabout a child, his brother, and a friend who meets him where he is.
56 pages, Paperback
Published June 12, 2018
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116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 11, 2018
What do you do when a book reaches into your soul and squeezes it so hard you’re left breathless and filled with a wondrous ache and yet the marvel of hope and the beauty of sorrow? You dry your eyes, still your weeping and read it all over again – this time, more slowly, taking in the deceptively simple and heart-warming prose and the gentle joy of the illustrations.
So it was when I had the amazing experience of reading Rachel Nobel’s utterly lovely book for children, Finn’s Feather. This is a stark, moving and gorgeous tale about a boy named Finn who, when he finds a perfect white feather on his doorstep one day, believes it is a gift from his dead brother Hamish. I know… right?
The story is about how Finn, thrilled with his brother’s gift, can’t understand his mother’s or teacher’s reaction. His mother hugs him and sighs, his teacher takes a deep breath and smiles. (and God, how I hurt when I read their reactions – it was a visceral response). It’s left to his best friend, Lucas to find, with Finn, the pleasure in his brother’s gift and the message it sends: to continue to laugh, love and never forget.
This exquisitely rendered tale of grief and loss, is told very much through a child’s eyes and how they process sorrow so differently. It is so sensitively rendered, so positive in its scope and the message and, believe it or not, happiness it offers (as well as the unbelievably touching acknowledgment of loss) that it should be read widely by everyone who has a child or who has experienced the death of a beloved.
I have been so touched by this story, but also rightly impressed with how it’s been told – the care and love that has gone into a difficult and yet important tale in a society that generally doesn’t handle discussions of death at all well. Rachel Nobel is to be commended and, indeed, praised for this elegant, poignant work – and for the ways in which she’s used her own experiences to give it such veracity and depth.
Let me give you a bit of background. In October 20102, Rachel lost her son Hamish in a terrible accident at home. As a way of trying to make sense of what happened, of Hamish’s death, as a professional writer, she turned to her craft: she wrote - and wrote and wrote. Knowing she wanted to write a picture book to honour Hamish and everything he means to her and her family, it wasn’t until she came home one-day and found a feather on her doorstep that Finn’s Feather took shape.
Snapped up by a US publisher – the phenomenal Enchanted Lion books, a family owned enterprise, it comes out June this year, including in Australia.
This is such an important book, such a lovely addition to any child’s and family’s library, I cannot recommend it enough. In sharing her emotions, her family’s story in such an accessible and meaningful way, Rachel has given voice to what is so hard to express and, along with Zoey Abbott, given death and loss a tender garment for us all to don and cherish.
I loved Finn’s Feather and all the complex emotions it stirred, and the big, aching heart at its beautiful centre.
Thank you.
So it was when I had the amazing experience of reading Rachel Nobel’s utterly lovely book for children, Finn’s Feather. This is a stark, moving and gorgeous tale about a boy named Finn who, when he finds a perfect white feather on his doorstep one day, believes it is a gift from his dead brother Hamish. I know… right?
The story is about how Finn, thrilled with his brother’s gift, can’t understand his mother’s or teacher’s reaction. His mother hugs him and sighs, his teacher takes a deep breath and smiles. (and God, how I hurt when I read their reactions – it was a visceral response). It’s left to his best friend, Lucas to find, with Finn, the pleasure in his brother’s gift and the message it sends: to continue to laugh, love and never forget.
This exquisitely rendered tale of grief and loss, is told very much through a child’s eyes and how they process sorrow so differently. It is so sensitively rendered, so positive in its scope and the message and, believe it or not, happiness it offers (as well as the unbelievably touching acknowledgment of loss) that it should be read widely by everyone who has a child or who has experienced the death of a beloved.
I have been so touched by this story, but also rightly impressed with how it’s been told – the care and love that has gone into a difficult and yet important tale in a society that generally doesn’t handle discussions of death at all well. Rachel Nobel is to be commended and, indeed, praised for this elegant, poignant work – and for the ways in which she’s used her own experiences to give it such veracity and depth.
Let me give you a bit of background. In October 20102, Rachel lost her son Hamish in a terrible accident at home. As a way of trying to make sense of what happened, of Hamish’s death, as a professional writer, she turned to her craft: she wrote - and wrote and wrote. Knowing she wanted to write a picture book to honour Hamish and everything he means to her and her family, it wasn’t until she came home one-day and found a feather on her doorstep that Finn’s Feather took shape.
Snapped up by a US publisher – the phenomenal Enchanted Lion books, a family owned enterprise, it comes out June this year, including in Australia.
This is such an important book, such a lovely addition to any child’s and family’s library, I cannot recommend it enough. In sharing her emotions, her family’s story in such an accessible and meaningful way, Rachel has given voice to what is so hard to express and, along with Zoey Abbott, given death and loss a tender garment for us all to don and cherish.
I loved Finn’s Feather and all the complex emotions it stirred, and the big, aching heart at its beautiful centre.
Thank you.
June 10, 2018
This book is a shining example of the transformative power of books. Rachel's son died very young, and she took her grief and turned it into this exquisite picture book, designed for children who have suffered the loss of their siblings. Few exist on the market in this category, I'm sure, and even fewer still that speak so clearly and eloquently about loss. I loved how Rachel used a feather as a symbol of connection between our concrete world and the airy spaces above - and more specifically, as a connecting point between a brother in heaven and the sibling below. Be sure to read this book with a box of tissues easy to hand. And don't be fooled by the idea this is a book for children - it transcends that category, as good art does.
April 30, 2018
This book gave me head to toe shivers throughout. None of us are getting out of here alive, and yet, death is something that we resist discussing. It took me decades to learn that dealing with the loss of my sister was a 'thing' and years to figure out how to accomplish it. This story and the illustrations are really lovely and make an uncomfortable subject really approachable. I wish I'd had this book 40 years ago.
June 16, 2018
I received a copy of this book when my husband passed away last month...and I was so comforted by the tender story. This book is appropriate for anyone who has experienced a loss, no matter what the age.
Written with tender understanding by the author who has expeienced just such a loss and accompanied by heartfelt illustrations, this book tells the story of a young boy who finds a way to remain close to his dead brother's memory and spirit. I loved it!
Written with tender understanding by the author who has expeienced just such a loss and accompanied by heartfelt illustrations, this book tells the story of a young boy who finds a way to remain close to his dead brother's memory and spirit. I loved it!
April 23, 2018
A lovely, important story from a lovely, important perspective. I felt that the story was about really living after you’ve lost someone you love, someone you shouldn’t have ever had to lose; about finding ways to keep their memory alive with you. About not just being sad, not being sentimental, but holding onto the joy that it gave you to know them. It made me want to take a deep breath and give someone a great, big hug.
At first, I thought that I wanted something different for the pictures in the story… but I think I just needed to reread it a few times to let the artwork sink in. After spending more time with them, I am falling more and more in love with the illustrations. They are leave enough space for the reader and leave room for great, big feelings. The ARC I read for this review was tiny (about 4x6); I can’t wait to see all the textures in the artwork when the full-size version is published.
At first, I thought that I wanted something different for the pictures in the story… but I think I just needed to reread it a few times to let the artwork sink in. After spending more time with them, I am falling more and more in love with the illustrations. They are leave enough space for the reader and leave room for great, big feelings. The ARC I read for this review was tiny (about 4x6); I can’t wait to see all the textures in the artwork when the full-size version is published.
June 21, 2018
Finn discovers an amazing white feather right on his doorstep. Could it be from his brother Hamish who is now an angel?
After the tragic accident of her young son Rachel Noble wrote to help cope with her loss and through this she felt inspired to write a picture book that would help others, especially children who are going through this process of dealing with grief. Finn's feather is a beautiful and sad yet empowering picture book.
Every body deals with traumatic events differently and this book is one which will inspire hope into both adults and children who have had to deal with death and grief.
Young children deal with death very differently to how adults do and this book looks at grief through the eyes of the older brother who finds a feather on his doorstep and believes it has been sent by his brother Hamish who is now an angel.
Young Finn doesn't dwell on the sadness of the feather but rather the joy this beautiful white feather can bring. He takes it to school and alongside a friend they climb trees, make a castle, play hide and seek and of course tickle each other.
The feather is a beautiful metaphor for the loss of his brother and shows that when we have lost someone we always hope that they are nearby somehow.
But although Finn feels joy with his feather he also wishes his brother was still with him.
As the day wears on the feather becomes dirty and stuck up in a tree but with some help he is able to get it back down and after this his friends tell him to "Hold it tight" - such a beautiful line to come from friends who are observing someone who is dealing with grief.
We can hold onto our memories of loss or trauma but we also need to see the joy in life.
The note written by Finn on the final page leaves a heart-wrenching yet positive feeling and shows the importance of talking about how we feel, supporting each other and allowing ourselves to feel how we do about events like these.
Finn's feather did make me cry but it also made me realise how important it is to talk and connect through those hard times, let ourselves cry, let ourselves be sad but also to let ourselves continue to see joy in life.
Finn's feather is a story to share with anyone who has or has not lost someone in their life. It is a celebration of life and a celebration of memories. It reminds us that just because someone isn't here on Earth with us anymore, it doesn't mean your relationship with them is over.
After the tragic accident of her young son Rachel Noble wrote to help cope with her loss and through this she felt inspired to write a picture book that would help others, especially children who are going through this process of dealing with grief. Finn's feather is a beautiful and sad yet empowering picture book.
Every body deals with traumatic events differently and this book is one which will inspire hope into both adults and children who have had to deal with death and grief.
Young children deal with death very differently to how adults do and this book looks at grief through the eyes of the older brother who finds a feather on his doorstep and believes it has been sent by his brother Hamish who is now an angel.
Young Finn doesn't dwell on the sadness of the feather but rather the joy this beautiful white feather can bring. He takes it to school and alongside a friend they climb trees, make a castle, play hide and seek and of course tickle each other.
The feather is a beautiful metaphor for the loss of his brother and shows that when we have lost someone we always hope that they are nearby somehow.
But although Finn feels joy with his feather he also wishes his brother was still with him.
As the day wears on the feather becomes dirty and stuck up in a tree but with some help he is able to get it back down and after this his friends tell him to "Hold it tight" - such a beautiful line to come from friends who are observing someone who is dealing with grief.
We can hold onto our memories of loss or trauma but we also need to see the joy in life.
The note written by Finn on the final page leaves a heart-wrenching yet positive feeling and shows the importance of talking about how we feel, supporting each other and allowing ourselves to feel how we do about events like these.
Finn's feather did make me cry but it also made me realise how important it is to talk and connect through those hard times, let ourselves cry, let ourselves be sad but also to let ourselves continue to see joy in life.
Finn's feather is a story to share with anyone who has or has not lost someone in their life. It is a celebration of life and a celebration of memories. It reminds us that just because someone isn't here on Earth with us anymore, it doesn't mean your relationship with them is over.
June 9, 2018
What a sweet story. I’m sure that “Finn’s Feather” will help many children who have lost someone.
July 8, 2018
Beautifully written and illustrated children’s book that I am so glad to have in my collection. Rachel was inspired to write this beautiful story after the loss of her beautiful son Hamish. It is a tale that helps children and adults understand loss and grief and that our loved ones are always with us. Zoey’s illustrations are beautiful and so heartfelt.
Highly recommend this beautiful book.
Highly recommend this beautiful book.
July 10, 2018
Beautifully sad and uplifting at the same time. The resiliency of childhood shines through. To Finn and Hamish - cheers!
June 29, 2018
It's not often that I read a book and think, "I must buy that for my friend." But that's what happened when I read Finn's Feather. My hiking partner lost her father two years ago this August, and she frequently talks about treasures he leaves for her such as... you guessed it-feathers! This book will appeal to any person, no matter his or her age, who has lost a friend or a loved one, yet seeks to find joy in the daily gifts that life has to offer.
June 28, 2018
This tender story relates how a child who has lost a sibling finds a way to keep his brother in his life despite the difficulty the adults around him are experiencing. An excellent book for any child dealing with grief and the loss of a loved one.
June 20, 2018
This touching story portrays the unique perspective from a child who has lost their sibling. It shows great insight into the resilience of a child and how deep and abiding the love of family is. The story gently unveils the array of emotions with each passing page, and readers who have experienced loss connect with the deep understanding of honouring a life of significance. The story comforts our hearts and promises us hope, that we can all learn and grow from a loss so deep, a love so deep. This is a beautiful tribute to a life that has been and clearly still remains loved. As a childhood development professional, I have added this book to my library. I highly recommend this book.
August 6, 2018
FINN’S FEATHER features an upbeat and energetic child who discovers a white feather on his doorstep. He runs to show the new treasure to his mother, explaining that the feather is from his brother, Hamish. His mother responds with a deep breath and a big hug. His teacher’s reaction is likewise muted. But Finn’s friend Lucas understands and shares in his delight. Together they find ways to include the special feather in their playtime.
With the feather as an equal, adventuresome partner, it is as if Finn’s deceased brother is right beside them, sharing in the delight of a spring day. When Finn finally decides to write a letter to Hamish, he uses the feather as a pen. “I whish you were here,” he writes, and secures his message in a tree branch.
Abbott’s warm illustrations are clear and soft, setting off the emotional tale with gentle tenderness. Simple and generously spaced, the images leave ample room for Noble’s text to carry deeper meaning. The pastel color palette is attractively textured, drawing readers’ eyes to the ever-present, symbolic feather. This poignant book is ideal for helping children understand the range of complex emotions, grief and happiness, that accompany our experiences of loss and remembrance.
With the feather as an equal, adventuresome partner, it is as if Finn’s deceased brother is right beside them, sharing in the delight of a spring day. When Finn finally decides to write a letter to Hamish, he uses the feather as a pen. “I whish you were here,” he writes, and secures his message in a tree branch.
Abbott’s warm illustrations are clear and soft, setting off the emotional tale with gentle tenderness. Simple and generously spaced, the images leave ample room for Noble’s text to carry deeper meaning. The pastel color palette is attractively textured, drawing readers’ eyes to the ever-present, symbolic feather. This poignant book is ideal for helping children understand the range of complex emotions, grief and happiness, that accompany our experiences of loss and remembrance.
August 9, 2018
This story is uplifting and hopeful. The main character, Finn, knows his brother is dead, and when a feather appears, he knows that it's a greeting and gift from his brother, who is now an angel. It's a boy's-view look at what happens after someone dies. The feather is a great device that, along with the beautiful illustrations, gives the book a surprisingly happy feel. A wonderful book for anyone who is thinking about someone they loved and lost.
August 15, 2018
This is not your typical book about losing a loved one. But it is probably the most beautiful book about losing a loved one that I've read. The illustrations are simple and wispy. The story of love and friendship is beautiful.
November 14, 2018
This is such a tender, moving book. I put this book up there with the epic CRY, MY HEART BUT NEVER BREAK. While CRY is about accepting loss and grief, FINN'S FEATHER is about moving on and letting the memory of our loved one enrich our life. Finn's simple and ardent belief that his brother, Hamish, has sent this feather from heaven floods the book with hope and joy, in spite of the sad undertones of the loss that Finn and his mother are dealing with. This is also a book about friendship and helping others, and while it is a perfect book for those dealing with grief, I believe it is an important book for all children to read so that they can understand grief--for when either they experience it or someone nears to them does. FINN'S FEATHER is a true treasure, and home and school libraries would be enriched by it.
June 1, 2022
This is a very sweet book about a boy named Finn who finds a beautiful, perfect feather and decides that it was sent to him by his deceased brother, Hamish. Finn is very excited about this but all the adults he tells about it react a little oddly and don't seem as excited as Finn is. I really love how this book depicts Finn's relationship with his brother. And I love that Finn has a lot of supportive friends and adults around him too. If a book centered around the death of a child can be called "light-hearted" this is the one.
June 20, 2018
This is the most exquisite book. I ordered the hard copy and savored every page. The illustrations are just beautiful and the story is tender and hopeful. This book would be a wonderful gift for anyone - adult or child - who has experienced the loss of a loved one. But it's certainly not limited in its appeal and is a wonderful book for *every* child. I love this book and I would recommend it to anyone.
November 10, 2018
You can tell that this is written by someone who has actually experienced loss. It is honest and sad and hopeful. I could relate to the sad smiles, and I think a child who has experienced loss will find this book comforting. There is a spiritual element, but it is not heavy-handed, and even I as an agnostic found this lovely. Small mentions of heaven and angels, but it is presented just as what the little boy believes about his brother. Soft art that is well-matched to the story.
August 4, 2018
Coping with death
Finn finds a feather on the doorstep one morning and is convinced his brother, Hamish, has sent it from Heaven. His mom and his teacher don't show the same excitement about it, but his friend, Lucas, joins him in a day of play and adventures. He even pulls in other friends to rescue the feather when it flies into a tree.
Finn finds a feather on the doorstep one morning and is convinced his brother, Hamish, has sent it from Heaven. His mom and his teacher don't show the same excitement about it, but his friend, Lucas, joins him in a day of play and adventures. He even pulls in other friends to rescue the feather when it flies into a tree.
November 21, 2018
Rachel Noble takes readers through a range of emotions in this story that is beautiful, heartwarming and real, all at the same time. Children will respond to Finn. Anyone who has experienced a loss will be touched by this book, but at the same time, its hopeful message about friendship and living will strike a chord in all children.
August 9, 2018
Very sweet, touching story about Finn who's brother is now an angel. The feather brings him joy and he shares it with his friends who are by his side when he needs them. Loved the illustrations as well.
August 31, 2018
Finn’s Feather gently talks about the loss of a brother and also the wonder in which our loved ones can still feel near even when they are gone. The illustrations are feathery and a beautiful choice for this text!
November 25, 2018
Fin thinks the feather he found was sent from his brother who passed away... he goes through the book having adventures with this feather insisting that is how and why he got it..
I liked it fine. A gentle entry point to talk about death with kids.
I liked it fine. A gentle entry point to talk about death with kids.
January 19, 2019
This is such a sweet book. A good choice for a child dealing with the death of a loved one or a child who knows someone who is. The natural way Finn's friend, Lucas accepts the feather as a gift from Hamish and helps Finn celebrate that gift is inspiring.
July 2, 2019
A book about a the loss of a loved one. So many children have to experience this in their lives yet there is not enough written for children. I found this to be a beautifully written and illustrated book that brought up a powerful topic of conversation for my 4, 9, and 11 year old alike.
March 7, 2022
The boy in this book finds a white feather and thinks that it was sent from his brother, who has died. It's written in an interesting way that doesn't process the death much and doesn't receive much feedback from others like parents, etc.
April 13, 2022
This is a bittersweet story of a young boy who is visited by a beautiful white feather, a gift sent by his brother who passed away. I love the gentle colored pencil illustrations; they perfectly match the atmosphere created by the words.
September 13, 2025
One morning Finn wakes to find a white feather on his doorstep. He's convinced his brother Hamish sent it from heaven. He takes it to school to share with his friends and finds many amazing things to do with the feather.
A good book for children who've experienced the death of a sibling.
A good book for children who've experienced the death of a sibling.
May 24, 2018
A beautiful story for grieving families. A child's perspective on living a full life after loss.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews