A bunny named Peanut Butter and Donner, a parakeet, can sense that their duck friend, Annie, isn’t her upbeat self. “Are you okay Annie?” Peanut Butter asks. Annie sighs, eyes downcast, and reveals that someone she loves is gone. Her friends don’t offer hollow cheerfulness or quick fixes. Instead, Peanut Butter “sat down beside her, and gave her some time.” Through shared memories, quiet company, and gentle love, they learn that “it’s okay to laugh and have fun. And it’s okay to cry when the tears start to run.” Healing unfolds slowly, and “however you grieve is right just for you.” The text also acknowledges that feelings of loss can be felt about other things, such as upheaval due to natural disasters, disrupted routines, or sudden goodbyes. The empathetic focus effectively honors varying emotional responses and the importance of being present with someone who’s in pain. The friendly, rounded artwork radiates warmth and comfort, with bright colors adding movement and energy, reminiscent of a mobile gently spinning above a crib. Although the backgrounds sometimes fade into a vague haze that doesn’t reward multiple readings, the simplicity keeps the spotlight on the characters’ emotional journeys.
