Too Many Acorns - by Susannah Crispe (Hardcover)

About the Book

When Patrick suffers a huge loss, he finds comfort in collecting acorns...but soon the house is overflowing with them. Can Patrick and Dad find a new way to cope with their grief together? An uplifting story about resilience, connection, and growth, perfect for sharing with little ones who are experiencing loss, or any other emotional upheaval.

Book Synopsis

Patrick and Dad learn how to cope with their grief together in this beautifully illustrated, uplifting story about resilience, connection, and growth.

When Patrick suffers a huge loss, he finds comfort in holding an acorn that drops at his feet. The more acorns he collects, the less empty he feels but soon there are acorns hiding in cupboards, under the rug, and even in Dads work shoes. As the tide of acorns grows, Patricks belongings are buried under them, until all he has is perhaps too many acorns.

Join Patrick and Dad as they learn how to cope with their overwhelming grief together, rediscovering the things that make them happy while holding their memories close.

Through gentle language, illustrations and metaphor, Too Many Acorns explores big emotions in a way that is manageable and understandable for young readers. It is a heart-warming story about the ways we find to cope in the hardest times, perfect for sharing with little ones who are experiencing the loss of a loved one, or any other emotional upheaval.

Review Quotes

"A story of comfort and hope for those that have ever felt overwhelmed
by feelings of sadness, loss or grieving."
- In The Good Books (via Instagram)

"Through gentle language, illustrations and metaphor, Too Many
Acorns explores big emotions in a way that is manageable and
understandable for young readers. It is a heart-warming story about the ways we
find to cope in the hardest times, perfect for sharing with little ones who are
experiencing the loss of a loved one, or any other emotional upheaval."
- Midwest Book Review

"The illustrations hold
so much of the emotion and meaning in this beautiful book. The feeling of being
overwhelmed with sadness is a difficult concept, that is so well represented in
this story."
-Get Kids Booked (via Instagram

"Although not explicitly stated, this is a book about loss and how a child can cope. Whether it is grief, family separation or relocation- a child can feel lost, alone, isolated and not in control. This beautiful book shows how we can embrace our world and move through the challenges, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."
-Kat_Book Worm

"A story about a boy's way of coping with the loss of his mother until
it starts to affect everything and everyone."
-Novel Insight Newsletter

"I must admit that I didn't read the blurb before reading this story
with my kids, and I'm glad I didn't. The author/illustrator purposely keeps us
in the dark about what is driving Patrick's obsession and when we got to the
climax, my kids felt clever that they'd worked out the reason why Patrick felt
the way he did by identifying the clues in the illustrations. This is a
thoughtful read for kids aged 4 to 7 to explore feelings associated with losing
something precious"
- Buzz Words Magazine

"Large, simple illustrations enhance the story which has a serious
undertone, as it tells how Patrick and his father both ascend from the gloom
that has encapsulated them."
- Blue Wolf Reviews

"Patrick and has suffered a great loss and he is struggling, so when one
day he picks up an acorn and feels how lovely it feels in his hand, it comforts
him. He picks up another acorn and then another, they make him feel so much
better. This tender story with its empathetic and calm illustrations tells a
lovely story using nature"
-School Days Magazine

"The story can become
a conversation starter for helping little ones begin to articulate their
feelings, particularly those big emotions like loss and grief and anger that
are hard to put into words."
- The Bottom Shelf (Teacher Librarian)