Ira Says Goodbye

Ira Says Goodbye

book

1988, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life

WISE
72%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A tender but dated picture book about saying goodbye when your best friend moves—solid for kids in that exact situation, skippable otherwise.

Amazon4.6
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: Ira Says Goodbye is a solid tool, not a must-read classic. If your kid's best friend just announced they're moving to another state, this book will feel like a warm hug and give you vocabulary to talk about hard feelings. Bernard Waber gets the emotional beats right—Ira's anger, his sadness, the weird awkwardness of a goodbye party.

But if you're just browsing the library looking for a great read? Skip it. The 1988 illustrations feel dated, the pacing is slow, and there are more engaging books about friendship and change published in the last decade. It's not bad, it's just... very specifically useful rather than universally delightful.

The 4.6 Amazon rating suggests parents who bought it (likely because their kid needed it) found it helpful. That's the vibe: purposeful, therapeutic, a little earnest. Keep it in your back pocket for when you need it, but don't feel bad if it collects dust on the shelf until then.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-8, particularly kids actively dealing with a friend or family member moving away. Common Sense Media recommends 4+, and that tracks—it's gentle enough for preschoolers but most meaningful for early elementary kids who can grasp the permanence of moving.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

A gentle, emotionally honest story about friendship and loss that validates kids' feelings about separation. Ira's sadness, anger, and eventual acceptance are portrayed with warmth and authenticity. The story models healthy emotional processing and the importance of expressing feelings when someone you care about moves away.

Imaginative
62

This is a straightforward realistic fiction picture book focused on emotional processing rather than fantastical elements or creative problem-solving. While Waber's illustrations have charm, the narrative is grounded in everyday life—a friend moving away—without much invitation for open-ended play or imagination-building beyond empathy.

Safe
95

Completely safe for young readers. The emotional content—sadness about a friend moving—is age-appropriate and handled sensitively. No violence, scary elements, or inappropriate content. The only 'risk' is that it might make sensitive kids cry, but that's actually the point and done in a healthy way.

Enriching
82

Strong emotional literacy piece that helps kids understand and name complex feelings around loss and change. Particularly valuable for children experiencing or about to experience a similar situation. Builds empathy and emotional vocabulary. The Lexile 500 and ATOS 2.6 make it accessible for early readers tackling meaningful themes.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Validates the real sadness and anger kids feel when friends move away, without rushing to 'fix' those feelings
  • Shows that it's okay to be upset even when adults say 'you can still write letters' or 'you'll make new friends'
  • Part of the beloved Ira series (Ira Sleeps Over is the famous one), so familiar characters for some families
  • Simple text (Lexile 500) makes it accessible for early readers tackling emotionally complex content
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What to Watch For

  • This is a 1988 book and it shows—the illustrations and pacing feel slow compared to modern picture books
  • Very specific use case: it's genuinely helpful if your kid's friend is moving, but otherwise it's kind of a downer without much payoff
  • Don't expect a magical solution or big adventure—this is quiet, realistic emotional processing

Conversation Starters

  • "Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone you really cared about? What was that like?"
  • "Ira felt angry that Reggie was moving. Do you think it's okay to feel mad about something sad?"
  • "What are some ways Ira and Reggie could stay friends even if they don't live near each other?"
  • "If you were moving away, what would you want to say to your best friend?"

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