Federico Gastaldi
Reviews
“A witty, comforting paean to a beloved lost fish. A young boy named Atticus wakes to find that his goldfish, Chip, is no longer in his bowl. Where has he gone? Atticus’ mother points skyward and explains, “Chip lives up there now.” Atticus’s father says that Chip has “moved on.” Atticus’ favorite uncle says, “Chip is in a better place.” Whimsical, appealing, and gently humorous artwork dominated by blues and oranges shows Atticus’ confusion as he tries to make sense of these vague explanations. He imagines Chip attached to a balloon, suspended in the sky (along with his grandmother, also apparently deceased). He thinks of Chip swimming through the ocean alongside a whale, and he wonders if an amusement park would be a better place for Chip. Atticus’ mom suggests getting a new fish, but Atticus needs time to remember all that he and Chip have experienced together. Gastaldi is like a magician; both the text and illustrations retain a light touch as the child deals with his loss. The author/illustrator clearly takes Atticus’ feelings seriously, however, and he shows how treasured memories may help children cope with loss. “Chip was gone. But Atticus remembered. He would always remember.” Perfectly captures a child’s response to death with respect, sensitivity, and reassuring humor.”—Kirkus, Starred Review
Federico Gastaldi is a young Italian artist living in Milan. He studied illustration for children at university and developed a successful career in editorial illustration before a personal experience inspired him to create his debut picture book, CHIP, due out with Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown in 2023.
“Gastaldi begins this gentle story about death on the front endpapers, which features a collection of “photographs” of a little boy and his constant companion, a pet fish (in a fishbowl). The title page shows two adults looking sadly at the now-empty bowl. When young Atticus comes downstairs in the morning, he immediately notices it. “Where is Chip?” His mother explains, “I’m so sorry, Atticus, but Chip is gone.” He imagines a suitcase with travel stickers and recalls that “Grandma had also left and was living in the sky.” Other grownups give equally confusing euphemistic answers to the child’s question, but what he understands is that this friend “is gone.” Gastaldi’s digital art in rich blues and oranges conveys the intensity of Atticus’s feelings. Eventually, happy memories of Chip soften the boy’s grief, and he is comforted, knowing “he would always remember.” Gastaldi keeps both text and illustrations simple, avoiding distractions and allowing a child reader to focus on Atticus and his sense of loss. Recommended websites and books to use when talking with children about this difficult subject are appended.”—The Horn Book