Books for Parents and other adults to give to children to help them come to terms with bereavement in all its forms. Teachers will find extra material in Children's Work Theory and Practice.

Talking About Death and Bereavement in School

- How to Help Children Aged 4 to 11 to feel Supported and Understood

by Ann Chadwick

This slim volume is a really worthwhile read for anyone, teacher, governor or minister who has to deal with the death of a parent or pupil in school. Though only 74 pages long it is filled with insights and examples that are very much to the point in helping to deal with young children facing the trauma and loss of someone near to them either at home or at school, even if that is only a beloved family pet.
There is a wonderful incident described on page 17 which although it makes one want to chuckle also gives pause for thought on how children ‘hear’ words which an adult may take for granted.
Again, as a Minister myself and speaking often to congregations on the subject of the use of our Lords name as an expletive and the lack of knowledge about who he actually was and is in today’s secular world, there is a very telling paragraph on the subject which struck me forcefully. That a child who has only knows the words God or Jesus Christ or even the word Heaven by an exasperated, abusive or angry adult and then is told that ’Granny, Grandpa, Mum etc’ has gone to ’Heaven, been taken by Jesus, gone to God’ etc, is going to be in a very confused state of anxiety and stress.
So all in all this book as I stated before is a very, very worthwhile one to read for anyone who has dealings with junior school children.

Review by Christine Mundell (09/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £11.99
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers from Gardners Books
Published: Autumn 2011
ISBN: 978-1-849-05246-7

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Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine

- Your Activity Book to help When Someone Has Died

by Diana Crossley illustrated by Kate Sheppard

This is published on behalf of Winston’s Wish, a charity giving ‘support, guidance and information for anyone caring for a bereaved child or a child facing the imminent death of a family member.’
I spotted this in a local Christian bookshop; my eye was attracted by the title and I was assured that although not specifically Christian, it was known to help all children, Christian or not. Of course I wanted to take a proper look and I was not disappointed.
Wisely it is suggested that an adult help the youngster to complete this book over a period of time. There is a message addressed to the child on the first page and another to the adult on the last, helping both to get the most out of the activities.
There are pages to fill in with facts and with thoughts, things to make and to do, all aimed to help with grief, by keeping ‘a balance between remembering and having fun,’ and yes, there can still be fun even though there is sadness. The complete book can then be a keepsake for the future.
I know this book has helped many, I hope that it will help many more. Highly recommended.

Also available in hardback 978-1-903-45896-9, £9.99

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Review by Mary Bartholomew (27/09/11)

Landscape A4 Paperback
Price: £7.99
Publisher: Hawthorn Press from Gardners Books
Published: 2000
ISBN: 978-1-869-89058-2

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Tapestry

- Grandma Sews a Picture of Hope

by Bob Hartman, illustrated by Susie Poole, tapestry by Lesley Watmore

A gentle sympathetic story of a little boy and his grandmother grieving together over the death of Danny’s Grandad. As Gran sorted though Grandad’s clothes, each piece brought back memories of happy times Danny and Grandad had together.
Gran goes away for a few days, and on her return Danny visits again to find Gran has made a happy picture of their house, showing all the family and neighbours incorporating pieces of Grandad’s clothing - a tapestry.
Gran uses the tapestry to help Danny understand that one day the family will all be together again, in God’s new world.
A lovely book, beautifully illustrated with the help of the tapestry.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (15/09/11)

Paperback
Price: £6.99
Publisher: Authentic Media
Published: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-904-63758-5

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Jesus Still Loves Joe: About a child Whose Sister Has Died

- Held in Hope series

by Victoria Beech and the Paediatric Chaplaincy Network, illustrated by Rhiannon Mollart

Each story of the series is also available as a free online film with the story read by Bear Grylls.
The price of book includes postage if bought from the publisher. This is a very special series fulfilling the particular needs of very special children.
In this story Joe is grieving for his sister Lucy. Sometimes he enjoys remembering the happy times they had together, sometimes he is just sad, and sometimes he is SO angry that she is not still here with him, but at all times he is comforted by the promise that however he feels, Jesus Still Loves Joe.
The illustrations are simple and fit with the words beautifully. Either read from the book, or listened to and watched as the film, this story is sure to help and the simplicity may even speak to the adult reading it to, or watching it with, the child.

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Review by Mary Bartholomew (06/05/11)

Stapled Paperback
Price: £5.99
Publisher: Christian Education
Published: Spring 2011
ISBN: 978-1-905-89350-8

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Surviving the Loss of a Child

- Support for Grieving Parents

by Elizabeth B. Brown

This book sensitively covers the major questions and emotions that uniquely belong to the bereavement process when a child dies as well as those that are common to every loss of a loved one. Of particular note is the chapter on Feuding Partners which is often overlooked in Christian circles, covering the different ways a husband and wife may react to the loss of a child and acknowledges the published statistics that 90% of couples experience serious marital problems after such an event. The whole book is full of helpful insights and pastoral gems drawing on Brown’s own experiences and research into the grief of others. I thoroughly recommend it.

Review by Paddy Beresford (30/08/10)

Paperback
Price: £7.99
Publisher: Revell imprint of Baker Pub from Lion
Published: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0-800-73356-8

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The Lonely Tree

by Nicholas Halliday

To help children aged Age 4 and over, Nicholas Halliday has written and drawn this appealing book. Stephen Fry is quoted on the cover as saying ‘Utterly, completely and splendidly charming. Originally illustrated and delightfully told.’ which doesn’t leave many relevant words for the rest of us!
A little fir tree starts to grow in the New Forest among the oak trees and soon is befriended by the ancient oak nearby. When winter comes and the oaks go to sleep, the little fir tree is all alone and sad. When spring comes the oaks wake up and burst into leaf except the ancient oak nearby. The other oaks explain that he has died but tell the little fir tree to remember his old friends stories, and his strength, his wisdom, and most of all his love. The book ends with one more surprise to cheer little ones hearing the story.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (12/08/09)

Landscape A4 Paperback
Price: £9.99
Publisher: Halliday Books from Gardners Books
Published: 11 May 2009
ISBN: 978-0-953-94598-6

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Are You Sad, Little Bear? - A Book About learning to Say Goodbye by Rachel Rivett, illustrated by Tina Macnaughton
ISBN: 978-0-745-96137-8 Price: £6.99	Published: 20 March 2009
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The Colours of Grief by Janis A. di Ciacco
ISBN: 978-1-843-10886-3 Price: £12.99	Published: 15 June 2008
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Overcoming Loss by Julia Sorenson
ISBN: 978-1-843-10646-3 Price: £19.99	Published: 15 June 2008
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We Were Gonna Have a Baby, But We Had An Angel Instead by Pat Schwiebert
ISBN: 0-972-42411-3 Price: £5.95	Published: 2003
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The Day Scooter Died - A Book About the Death of a Pet by Kathleen Long Bostrom, illustrated by Cheri Bladholm
ISBN: 0-310-70902-4 Price: £4.99	Published: 2005
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Sarah’s Grandma Goes to Heaven - A Book About Grief by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Cheri Bladholm
ISBN: 0-310-70656-4 Price: £4.99	Published: 2004
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Where Did Grandad Go? by Catherine House and Honor Ayres
ISBN: 1-841-01502-4 Price: £5.99	Published: Summer 2006
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Rosie - Coming to Terms with the Death of a Sibling by Stephanie Jeffs and Jacqui Thomas
ISBN: 1-841-01422-2 Price: £5.99	Published: 21 January 2005
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Josh - Coming to terms with the death of a Friend by Stephanie Jeffs and Jacqui Thomas
ISBN: 1-841-01423-0 Price: £5.99	Published: 21 January 2005
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When Goodbye is for Ever by Lois Rock, Illustrated by Sheila Moxley
ISBN: 0-745-94879-0 Price: £4.99	Published: 23 January 2004
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Grandma’s Party - Practical ways to help children be part of the grieving process when a loved one dies. by Meg Harper
ISBN: 1-841-01341-2 Price: £6.99	Published: 21 November 2003
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Waterbugs and Dragonflies – Explaining Death to Young Children by Doris Stickney
ISBN: 0-826-46458-0 Price: £5.99
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Mudge, Gill and Steve by Jim Dainty
ISBN: 0-715-14887-7 Price: £4.95
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What Happens When We Die - Bible Early Learning Series by Carolyn Nystrom illustrated by Eira Reeves
ISBN: 1-859-85499-0 Price: £1.50	Published: Spring 2003
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