Shoebox Funerals is a collection of tales about all the pets the author had while living in her farm as a kid.


Most of the stories were adorable, and since I'm such an animal lover, I LOVED reading these stories. Though there were some stories that made me cry, most of them left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling.


I loved the illustrations as well as the pictures at the end of the book. They personalized the book even more. I wish I had had a childhood like Elizabeth Voltz did!


All in all, I'm so so happy I got to read this book.

Received via NetGalley for review.

A collection of surprisingly sweet and beautiful short stories/personal essays about the beauty and the love of animals in all stages in life. Death is a fundamental part of life, and most people experience it through the death of a pet. That doesn't make it any less devastating.

The illustrations accompanying the stories were perfect and well suited to the book.

Perfect for middle schoolers who might be going through this for the first time, or who have experienced it many times.

Thank you thank you thank to NetGalley and for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest read and review!  I love receiving so many different genres of books to read and review, so when I saw a collection of stories based on real-life occurrences up for request, I jumped on it!  Not to mention, the title of this book is kinda morbid but really interesting, so that definitely had a draw on me.

The little map at the beginning of this book is so darling.  I love the whimsy and almost personal feel of it.  This continues throughout as the art at the beginning of each chapter is so darn cute!  I loved that each one is specifically about the chapter or story it precedes; my favorite was the opossum.  The story was not that happy, but the little illustration cracked me up!

The language is so vivid and colorful.  At times, it reads like a children's book because the settings and environments are described in such a way that everything is vivid and crisp without being too flowery.  Of course, this isn't a children's book as you figure out as you keep going, but I really appreciated the feel of this book and the sort of "release" it gave me as I read it.  It feels like Voltz truly understands writing with adjectives and using all the senses to invoke feelings within the readers; this reflects so well all throughout this book.

As for the stories, holy mackerel!  I grew up in the country and saw some crazy stuff when it comes to nature and making do, but nothing can be compared with some of Voltz' stories in this collection.  The story about the raccoons and the hollow rabbit still haunts me; I can't imagine what that would have been like!  I loved that each of the stories used in this book is vivid and sometimes almost unbelievable.  But, tucked into each one is a kernel of wisdom that can only come from life experience.  

Overall, this book really got to me.  I think that I could recognize a bit of the young girl who loved animals and had way too many cats and kittens and inventive ways to play.  I loved reading this book because it made me think about my childhood and invoked so many good and bad memories about my own years growing up and the pets I had and cherished.  I love how Voltz writes about some ugly things and some beautiful things all in a poetic way.  At the end of the book, there is a section of photographs from her childhood and you get to see some of the cats, Precious the blue jay, and some of the animals discussed in the book including her beloved dog Buddelia.  This, combined with the touching last chapter about peace and accepting all that had happened in her life, make for a perfect end to this book.  I loved it so much and how much heart Voltz put into not just her stories, but in the final presentation for the readers.  I loved this little end to the book and the stories in between.

Overall, I would give this one so many stars more than five.  The subjects are not always happy and bright, but the messages behind each little story are so special.  I think that I came away from this book with some crazy imagery, appreciation for my own childhood, and a fond group of memories of the animals that I loved and continue to love today.  Along with the contents of the book, the actual style and look of the book is perfect and I appreciated that it included a little "journal" section at the end.  I could see myself writing my own memories that come back to me, as I read this.

A beautiful heartfelt collection of short stories on the author's beloved past pets. This is a book that I plan to buy and give as gifts to animal lovers.

This memoir focuses on the author's tales of her various pets whilst growing up on a farm.
Most of the pets end up dying and being buried in the pet cemetery, but this is hardly the author's fault - many of the pets were dumped on their farm because of sickness or other disabilities and she took pity on them in their last days
It's perhaps a bit too depressing for young children, but children from a similar background would relate better - living closer to life and death on a farm.
I enjoyed her relation of tales from her youth interspersed with the insights and wisdom of the adult self.
Many of these tales are just so heartwarming and bring up a tear or too.
What I like about this book is that it is a collection of tales - not all of them follow on each other and don't rely on you having previous knowledge, although it obviously is advised to read the book in the order it is written in.
But its more than a memoir of departed pets. It's also a glimpse into her family as throughout she reveals bits about them - her dad's beliefs and allergies, the death of Peter and the effect it had on especially her mom; her mom' gentle soul; the challenges she faced health-wise; the financial situations of her family while growing up and the close bond the family has.
A lovely addition at the end of the photographs of the farm; the author as a child; her family and of course various pets. The inclusion of photographs always makes a memoir feel more "human".
The book leaves you with a good feeling. The good and kindness they showed to the animals - taking in and caring for dumped animals - was rewarded by others being good and kindhearted to them - financing her surgery.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.

Sad, and yet somehow hopeful, but always charming. Although the author is now an adult, her narrative never loses a sort of childlike innocence. Children so often are forced to grow up too soon in a farmer’s lifestyle where they must often bid goodbyes to beloved ducks, chickens, pigs, etc.. and also accept that death is an ever present Spector in their lives. They are encouraged to think of dogs and cats as tools rather that family members, and yet, a child’s heart, no matter how often it’s broken, can still love these tiny lives unconditionally. I was transported back to my own childhood, the loss of so many well loved dogs and cats, by this sweet and sorrowful narrative, a journey both of grief and great fondness. Any animal lover may feel pain from the accounts of mixed wild, farm, and pet animals meeting their end, and the after effects, but also find solace and comfort in commiserations with the author.

Although this book isn’t something I’d typically read I found it enjoyable. I love animals and I thought the stories in this book were heartwarming, The cover is what drew me to this book in the first place but the writing is what kept me reading. The prose was stunning and the author allowed me to really feel what was going on in the stories.

I hadn't realize this was a memoir and when I did, it made the book even more heartfelt.

The blurb pulled me in even though I told myself I wouldn't exceed the self imposed limit of books I could get from Net galley but I am weak when it comes to animal stories and was curious enough to download.

The book is written in terms of vignettes, it is as if you are surrounded by a fireplace with a friend who narrates her life story. It makes you bask in the warmth of the tales and experience.

I find myself having inadequate skill of describing how much I liked the books I liked. It's no different here. What I can say is that I found myself choking on tears and even letting some slip before I was even aware as to why I was so touched.

There's so much to the stories the book contains. It's the shared love of the animals and the helplessness we feel when the creatures under our care are beyond our help. And that none of our good intentions are enough to save them. Sometimes it's the very intentions that hurt them. I would have loved to read this story when I was a child, I had related so much to the storyteller and it felt so bittersweet to be able to do that when the child me couldn't with people around her. I found this book incredibly special - it made me revisit my childhood and made me remember.

How shall I tempt you to this book other than letting you know that it has stories about a duck mafia, someone who loved chocolate too much and it has the childhood magic that you are seeking.

P.S The illustrations and the pictures add to the magic.

My sincerest thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this ARC.

I don't usually read nonfiction books but the cover drew me in. I was going to pass this up but decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did. It was written really well and although it wasn't my all time favorite it did leave me with some kind of impact. I say 4 stars which is generous. I recommend this for people who want to read a nicely written nonfiction book with a gorgeous cover

I was drawn to this book by it's cover and then it's blurb. I an always intrigued by stories that allow characters to walk in and out of paintings and interact with each other. I have read a few books with this premise. This story didn't disappoint. It's a good read for kids and teaches forgiveness without being preachy. I think kids and teens will find it a satisfying tale.

This book was really quite sweet. The illustrations sprinkled throughout are really nicely drawn and really adorable.

Writing:
I really liked the writing style. It was descriptive enough that it felt immersive, but it wasn't overly detailed and boring. I like the big family feel (I relate), and I like the chance to see a different view of things. The writing allows the reader to really connect with the story of Elizabeth's life and her family, and shows the passion and love really upfront.

Story:
I will admit, I'm not big on non-fiction. However, I enjoyed Voltz stories of kittens and farm life, and it is truly endearing. Also the idea of a shoebox funeral is just really really sweet to me, and I liked seeing the family's compassionate view of animals most people wouln't think twice about.

Cover:
Look at it. It is beautiful. I love it.

Overall, I liked the story, and the atmosphere, and the animals because who doesn't love animals being loved. The photos at the end were a really unique and welcome addition, and I think overall the book was really captivating and interesting, while still being fun.

Poignant, heartbreaking and very beautiful!

Grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for my true opinions.

#ShoeboxFuneral #NetGalley

Sweet, touching and heartbreaking. As an animal lover, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book. Happily, even though my heart was breaking and I cried my way through the book, I found myself loving each story and feeling a kinship to the author. While I never lived on a farm, I have had to bury my share of pets over the years. It was a very sweet book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek is a memoir full of authentic short stories, with a beautiful illustration for each, based on the author’s experiences growing up on a farm in Western PA. It tells the tale of love and death of beloved animals.

Not your thing? Don’t want to read about death of animals? It’s a story of love, ultimately. I don't really know why I picked this book, except for my own roots to western Pa. I too, grew up on a farm and know the cycle of life as a farm kid. What an absolutely beautifully written book this is. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened the book, but I am glad I read it. The stories are told in a very matter of fact way, as a person living on a farm would view animals, but you can't help but feel the love and care with which the author has for the animals. I have to say that I did truly enjoy and appreciate Shoebox Funeral.

The writhing is simple but the love felt for each animal shines through in her words. Each duck, kitten and all the others mattered. You will grow from this book.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a pre-publication ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was really good. I don’t normally read non fiction or autobiography but I really enjoyed the mini stories, and how each animal, and each story, affected us, just as much as the family.

Dark and nostalgic. The stories are so well written and illustrated. Voltz really draws readers into the events, allowing them to sense the grief and emotions felt. This book portrays the sorrow of tragedy, and how death is inevitable.

An enjoyably written book. It deals with death but it's written in a heartwarming way. However, some of it did come of as a bit disjointed and rambly.

It says Teen & YA so I was hoping for more life in this memoir. I know we can't always spice up real life but it didn't feel as if had much movement. The illustrations and everything about it is adorable but it isn't meant for me.

This book.. it didn't make much sense to me, It felt as if the author was just rambling on about her memories and that- in combination with a very messy layout on my kindle app and missing letters- made reading it a little bit difficult. I don't really have anything to say about the book itself, other than that it was nice to be able to read about the love the author had for all the animals on the farm and her family.

I very much enjoyed this book. I'm always drawn to books about animals and this one doesn't disappoint. Some of the stories were humorous and some were sad but they all felt authentic. My only critique might be there was a sense of repetition after a while. Still, it was a pleasure to read.

My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.