GriefSPEAK: A Memory of Elephants – Mari Nardolillo Dias

For readers who cherish The Velveteen Rabbit and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse —A Memory of Elephants is a tender journey through love that remains – a gentle, thoughtful story about grief, presence, and the voices we encounter when something important is lost.

Set in a quiet winter forest, a baby elephant walks alongside a memory of elephants while others gather nearby—watching, waiting, and offering different ways of responding. Some voices urge strength or speed. Others offer silence, companionship, and time. A small lantern glows, dims, and steadies, reflecting what grief often feels like from the inside.

Written with sparse language and rich symbolism, combined with the slow, thoughtful pace that mirrors that of grief,  A Memory of Elephants invites children—and the adults who care for them—to slow down, notice, and trust that grief does not need to be fixed or hurried.

The story models boundaries, compassion, and presence without explaining or instructing, making it suitable for shared reading, therapeutic settings, or quiet reflection. Discussion prompts are provided in the appendix for parents/guardians, teachers and clinicians.”    

This book is intended for: • children navigating loss or change • caregivers seeking supportive language • counselors, educators, and clinicians working with both death and non-death loss 

– Keep your eyes one for 2 bilingual editions of A Memory of Elephants – Bilingual English/Spanish and English Italian. Any edition makes a great gift and is far more effective than fidgets.

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All of Dr. Dias’ columns at: GRIEFSPEAK

Dr. Mari Nardolillo Dias is a nationally board-certified counselor, holds a Fellow in Thanatology and is certified in both grief counseling and complicated grief. Dias is a Certified death doula, and has a Certificate in Psychological Autopsy.

Dias is an Adjunct Professor at CCRI, and Professor of Clinical Mental Health, Master of Science program, at Johnson & Wales University. Dias is the director of GracePointe Grief Center, in North Kingstown, RI.  For more information, go to:  http://gracepointegrief.com/