Review by Ian Keogh

As the cover hints, How to Say Goodbye concerns another childhood trauma, the death of a friend or relative, in this case Penny’s lizard chum Little Red. Even worse, it might have been Benny’s fault for jumping up and down on a pile of leaves. As ever, any book in the series can be read independently, so there’s no connection with Lost and Found.

Geoffrey Hayes deals well with a child’s feeling of guilt. Suppressing his responsibility, Benny compounds his accidental misdeed by lashing out at Penny. Although Benny has been shown having the occasional tantrum before, this naked aggression is quite the surprise. So is the general downbeat theme of Penny preparing her version of a funeral with her friend Melina. However, by the end via delightful drawing and adroit plotting Hayes has pulled How to Say Goodbye away from misery and into a form of joy.

While it’s another good story and realising death is a part of life, there are concerns about Hayes including such a downbeat topic for very young readers, ironically, a year before his own death. While the treatment is considerate, and Little Red hasn’t been seen enough in previous books for an attachment to form, Penny’s sorrow transmits and the story could upset more sensitive young readers. At least we see Benny’s regret at being mean to Little Red in the past.

With reservations about the theme being suitable for all young children, this is another captivating outing for Benny and Penny, and it’s a shame it ends the series.

How to Say Goodbye is the only Benny and Penny book not available in paperback, although when the hardcover is so well designed and sturdy enough to withstand multiple readings why would you want anything else?