The Charlotte & William Bloomberg Medford Public Library
December, 21 2024 22:30:01
Just What to Do
By Lukoff, Kyle
A tender picture book about grief and the many ways to offer comfort in sad times, from Newbery Honor-winner Kyle Lukoff.. When you see someone sad, it's only natural to want to cheer them up. But how? Some people like hugs but others don't. Sometimes a joke is more comforting than a card. How can you do the just-right-thing if you don't know what it is? . With its spare, poignant text and unexpectedly levitous illustrations, Just What to Do offers an important lesson about how to offer comfort to loved ones by setting aside your assumptions and following their lead.
Publisher: n/a
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9780593462942
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Hardcover
Something Very Sad Happened
By Zucker, Bonnie
Something Very Sad Happened is a useful tool for parents, caregivers, therapists, and teachers to help young children understand the concept of death and begin the process of coping with the loss. Intended for children ages 2 and 3, the book explains death and loss to a very young child in a simple and age-appropriate way. It also serves as a starting point for discussion when parents or other adults may be grieving. Includes a "Reader's Note" and "Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Therapists" written by the author.
Publisher: n/a
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9781433822667
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Print book
The Hare-Shaped Hole
By Dougherty, John
"A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning." - Joe Coelho, UK Children's Laureate. The Hare-Shaped Hole is a beautiful, touching, and poignant picture book which gently explores themes of grief and loss.. Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though
Publisher: n/a
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711276072
|
Goodbye
By Madison, Megan
A picture book edition of the board book about grief, offering adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.. Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven picture book offers clear, concrete language and compelling imagery to introduce the concept of grief. This book aims to normalize the topic of death by discussing what it means and how it feels to experience loss. It centers around several questions that arise about grief and honest, simple ways to answer them.. While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin.
Publisher: n/a
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9780593662380
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Hardcover
See You on the Other Side
By Minor, Rachel Montez
This lyrical picture book is a beautiful, heart-opening ode to loved ones we've lost and a reminder that their love will carry on with us forever. Filled with stunning illustrations and uplifting text, this is an inspiring story for children and adults to read together in times of need.. This is not goodbye, sweet child.I'll see you on the other side. . . .. Simple, rhyming text and evocative illustrations offer comfort to children who may be grieving, or coming to terms with the idea of loss or change. The universal message opens the door to our collective healing, and the everlasting connection of love. . Actress, dancer, and singer Rachel Montez Minor wrote this book to help children and their families process big life changes. With illustrations from Mariyah Rahman, Minor's soothing and poetic words are a balm for the spirit.
Publisher: n/a
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9780593309421
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Hardcover
A Stopwatch from Grampa
By Garbutt, Loretta
"When summer started, I got Grampa's stopwatch," a small child says. "I don't want his stopwatch. I want him." Grampa used to time everything. A race to the end of the street and back: 24 seconds. Eating bubblegum ice cream: 1 minute, 58 seconds. But now, Grampa's gone. "There are no more Grampa minutes, Grampa seconds," the child says. "Time just stops." As the seasons come and go, the stopwatch becomes a cherished symbol of remembrance, and the child uses it to carry on Grampa's favorite pastimes and traditions. Loretta Garbutt uses subtlety and sensitivity to explore the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) in this moving picture book story of loss. It features a gender-neutral main character (no first name or pronouns are given) making the story universally relatable.
Publisher: n/a
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9781525301445
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Hardcover
The Yellow Suitcase
By Sriram, Meera
In The Yellow Suitcase by Meera Sriram, Asha travels with her parents from America to India to mourn her grandmother's passing. Asha's grief and anger are compounded by the empty yellow suitcase usually reserved for gifts to and from Grandma, but when she discovers a gift left behind just for her, Asha realizes that the memory of her grandmother will live on inside her, no matter where she lives.
Publisher: n/a
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9780999658413
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Hardcover
When Dinosaurs Die
By Brown, Marc
The authors explain in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died.
Publisher: n/a
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316119555
|
Ida, Always
By Levis, Caron
A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears.Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always. Then one sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn't going to get better. The friends help each other face the difficult news with whispers, sniffles, cuddles, and even laughs. Slowly Gus realizes that even after Ida is gone, she will still be with him - through the sounds of their city, and the memories that live in their favorite spots. Ida, Always is an exquisitely told story of two best friends - inspired by a real bear friendship - and a gentle, moving, needed reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always.
Publisher: n/a
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9781481426404
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Print book
I Have a Question about Death
By Gaines, Arlen Grad
Death is a difficult topic for any parent or educator to explain to a child, perhaps even more so when the child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Special Needs. This book is designed specifically to help children with these additional needs to understand what happens when someone dies. The first book of its kind, I Have a Question about Death uses straightforward text and images to walk children through what it means when someone dies, as well as ways they might want to react or to think about the person. Using clear illustrations throughout and with information for parents and guardians, this book is essential for families with a child aged 5-11 with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs.
Publisher: n/a
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9781785927508
|
Hardcover
The Purple Balloon
By Raschka, Chris
When a child becomes aware of his pending death (children tend to know long before the rest of us even want to consider it), and is given the opportunity to draw his feelings, he will often draw a blue or purple balloon, released and unencumbered, on its way upward. Health-care professionals have discovered that this is true, regardless of a child's cultural or religious background and researchers believe that this is symbolic of the child's innate knowledge that a part of them will live forever. . . . In disarmingly simple and direct language, accompanied by evocative potato print illustrations, Raschka in conjunction with Children's Hospice International (CHI), creates a moving, sensitive book that is also a phenomenally useful tool to talk about death.
Publisher: n/a
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9780375841460
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Hardcover
I Remember Miss Perry
By Brisson, Pat
It's his first day at a new school, and Stevie is scared.Who will he talk to at lunchtime But his teacher says, "It is my fondest wish that you join me for lunch today, Stevie."And with that, a bad day becomes a good one. Miss Perry always has a new fondest wish - something new to read, sing, celebrate. But then an awful thing happens: Miss Perry dies in a car accident, and everything is suddenly sad and complicated.Yet Stevie and his classmates must find their way to happiness again. It would surely be Miss Perry's fondest wish. Pat Brisson and Stphane Jorisch have created a poignant story, appropriate for children coping with a teacher's death or in need of comfort after any loss. Readers of all ages will be affected by its depth and honesty, and buoyed by its capacity for joy.
Publisher: n/a
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9780803729810
|
Book
Lunas Red Hat
By Smid, Emmi
It is a beautiful spring day, and Luna is having a picnic in the park with her family, wearing her Mums red hat. Lunas Mum died one year ago and she still finds it difficult to understand why. She feels that it may have been her fault and worries that her Dad might leave her in the same way. Her Dad talks to her to explain what happened and together they think about all the happy memories they have of Mum. This beautifully-illustrated storybook is designed as a tool to be read with children aged 6 who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide. Suicide always causes shock, not just for the family members but for everyone around them, and children also have to deal with these feelings. The book approaches the subject sensitively and includes a guide for parents and professionals by bereavement expert, Dr Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers. It will be of interest to anyone working with, or caring for, children bereaved by suicide, including bereavement counsellors, social workers and school staff, as well as parents, carers and other family members.
Publisher: n/a
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9781849056298
|
Hardcover
Cry, Heart, But Never Break
By Ringtved, Glen
Aware their grandmother is gravely ill, four siblings make a pact to keep death from taking her away. But Death does arrive all the same, as it must. He comes gently, naturally. And he comes with enough time to share a story with the children that helps them to realize the value of loss to life and the importance of being able to say goodbye.Glenn Ringtved is a best-selling and award-winning Danish children's author, whose books have been widely translated.Charlotte Pardi is a well-beloved Danish illustrator, who has created numerous books since her first picture book in 2000.Robert Moulthrop is a published playwright. He lives in Greenwich Village, New York City.
Publisher: n/a
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9781592701872
|
Print book
One More Wednesday
By Doray, Malika
On Wednesdays when I was little, Granny and I baked cakes and cookies....And that was only one of the things that made Wednesdays -- and Granny -- special.Malika Doray has written and illustrated a unique tale of love, loss, and understanding that will help and comfort anyone who has lost someone important, and open the way for all of us to talk about the mysteries of life, death, and eternity.
Publisher: n/a
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60295899
|
Print book
Moonshadow's Journey
By Lobel, Gillian
For the very first time, young Moonshadow is flying south. Grandfather is leading the swans as they travel to a warm place for the winter. But when a terrible storm strikes, not all the swans make it through. Though his heart is heavy, Moonshadow finds the strength to continue the journey. Gillian Lobel's beautifully written tale deals gently with loss and bereavement, while Karin Littlewood's enchanting paintings create a memorable world for young readers.
Publisher: n/a
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9780807552735
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Book
Following Grandfather
By Wells, Rosemary
Invisible to humans exists a parallel world of mice, where young Jenny misses her cherished grandfather so much that she begins to see him everywhere.Jenny is as close to her grandfather as a small mouse can be. Grandfather shows Jenny how to button her buttons and how to write her name. He passes along to her the secrets of making the best lasagna in all of Boston. And during long, shared days at Revere Beach, Grandfather teaches Jenny the names of the seashells they find washed up on shore. When Grandfather is all of a sudden gone one day, the hole he leaves behind is too great for Jenny to fathom. Isn't that him turning a corner, sitting on a bench, heading for the pier, walking along their beloved beach? Jenny runs after the familiar silver whiskers, hoping. . . . Rosemary Wells peels back the layers of grief to reveal, at its core, something as exquisite and achingly beautiful as the rare and storied queen's teacup seashell. Christopher Denise illustrates mid-century Boston with affection, and a mouse and her grandfather with gentle humor and unabashed sympathy.
Publisher: n/a
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9780763650698
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Print book
Anna's Heaven
By Hole, Stian
It is a day when everything aches and nails are raining from the sky. Anna's mother has died. Anna and her father are making their way to the funeral. But along the way they talk -- capturing memories, asking hard questions, picturing what heaven might be like. Anna's imagination leads both of them on a journey that, by the end, might just offer a certain sort of peace.With captivating artwork and text that is at times whimsical, at times haunting, this profound book will make a perfect companion for readers who are wrestling with their own questions about life's mysteries.
Publisher: n/a
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9780802854414
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Hardcover
The Scar
By Moundlic, Charlotte
A little boy responds to his mothers death in a genuine, deeply moving story leavened by glimmers of humor and captivating illustrations.. When the boy in this story wakes to find that his mother has died, he is overwhelmed with sadness, anger, and fear that he will forget her. He shuts all the windows to keep in his mothers familiar smell and scratches open the cut on his knee to remember her comforting voice. He doesnt know how to speak to his dad anymore, and when Grandma visits and throws open the windows, its more than the boy can take - until his grandmother shows him another way to feel that his moms love is near. With tenderness, touches of humor, and unflinching emotional truth, Charlotte Moundlic captures the loneliness of grief through the eyes of a child, rendered with sympathy and charm in Olivier Tallecs expressive illustrations.
Publisher: n/a
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9780763653415
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Hardcover
The Memory String
By Bunting, Eve
Each button on Laura's memory string represents a piece of her family history. The buttons Laura cherishes the most belonged to her mother - a button from her prom dress, a white one off her wedding dress, and a single small button from the nightgown she was wearing on the day she died. When the string breaks, Laura's new stepmother, Jane, is there to comfort Laura and search for a missing button, just as Laura's mother would have done. But it's not the same - Jane isn't Mom. In Eve Bunting's moving story, beautifully illustrated by Ted Rand, Laura discovers that a memory string is not just for remembering the past: it's also for recording new memories.
Publisher: n/a
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9780395861462
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Hardcover
Samantha Jane's Missing Smile
By Pincus, Donna
The story of a young girl whose father has recently died, which deals with the full range of emotions, questions, and worries that children have when a parent has died. Offers ways to remember and honor the lost parent, encourages the open sharing of feelings, and helps children understand that their parents want them to be happy and live their lives fully.
Publisher: n/a
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9781591478089
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Hardcover
Always by My Side
By Kerner, Susan
Always By My Side is a comforting, rhyming story written to help children understand that a father's love is forever, even if they grow up without his presence in their lives. This beautifully illustrated book conveys the heart-warming message to children that even though a father is not in their lives, he is still part of them. They will realize that they are like him in character, looks and actions; that his spirit surrounds them in their day-to-day activities, and helps to make them who they are.
Publisher: n/a
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9781595723369
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Hardcover
Molly's Rosebush
By Janice, D.s.w. Cohn
When the new baby they've been expecting isn't strong enough to be born, Molly and her family find different ways to express their feelings and comfort each other.
Publisher: n/a
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807552135
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Hardcover
Ben's Flying Flowers
By Bogade, Maria
Ben's Flying Flowers follows Emily as she tries to overcome her grief following her brother's death. As time passes, Emily finds a way to remember her brother and grows to understand that although Ben has died, her happy memories of him can continue to live on.
Publisher: n/a
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9781433811326
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Paperback
Gentle Willow
By Mills, Joyce C
Written for children who may not survive their illness or for the children who know them, this tale helps address feelings of disbelief, anger, and sadness, along with love and compassion. Amanda and Little Tree discover that their friend Gentle Willow isn't feeling very well.
Publisher: n/a
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1591470714
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Hardcover
Rafa Was My Robot
By Dellevoet, Alexandra
A gentle tale of love, friendship, and loss. Rafa the robot goes everywhere with Jacob -- to swim lessons, to school, and even on trips to far-off places. One day, Rafa doesn't feel well, so Jacob takes him to the doctor. When the doctor explains that Rafa's special robot battery needs replacing, Jacob travels the world to find the right one. Sadly, he comes back empty-handed, and one day soon after, as Jacob holds Rafa's hand, his robot friend dies. Jacob is heartbroken, but he creates a memorial that helps him honor Rafa so that he is always close by. This quietly moving picture book will help young children through the difficult process of losing someone or something they love. Without diminishing the pain of losing a loved one, Rafa Was My Robot conveys a comforting message that by keeping them in your heart, they are never far away.
Publisher: n/a
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9781554516780
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Paperback
I'll See You in My Dreams
By Jukes, Mavis
"If she were a skywriter, she would put on a brown leather Amelia Earhart jacket and a silk scarf . . ." In Newbery Honor Mavis Jukes' inspiring new picture book, a little girl imagines herself a skywriter and finds the courage to face her dying uncle. A beautiful book aglow with the lush color of a New England sunset. Full color throughout.
Publisher: n/a
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679826904
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Hardcover
Blue
By Seeger, Laura Vaccaro
How many shades of blue are there?There's the soft blue of a baby's cherished blanket, the ocean blue of a romp in the waves, the chilly blue of a cold winter's walk in the snow, and the true blue of the bond that exists between children and animals.In this simple, sumptuously illustrated companion to Caldecott Honor Book Green, award-winning artist Laura Vaccaro Seeger turns her attention to the ways in which color evokes emotion, and in doing so tells the story of one special and enduring friendship.
Publisher: n/a
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9781626720664
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Hardcover
The Rough Patch
By Lies, Brian
Evan and his dog do everything together. They play and read and eat. But mostly you will find them tending to Evan's extraordinary garden, where flowers and other good things flourish and reach for the sky.But friends don't always stay forever, and when Evan loses his, he destroys the place that meant the most to them, and creates something to match his mood. Something ugly and twisted, sad and stubborn, ragged and rough - and he likes it that way. Until one day . . . New York Times-bestselling author Brian Lies has created a breathtakingly beautiful and luminescent book about loss and grief, love and hope, and the healing power of friendship, curiosity, and nature.
Publisher: n/a
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9780062671271
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Hardcover
Saturdays Are For Stella
By Wellins, Candy
George loves Saturdays. That's because Saturdays mean time with Grandma Stella. The two of them love going on adventures downtown to visit the dinosaur museum and ride on the carousel! Even when they stay in, George and Stella have fun together, making cinnamon rolls without popping open a tube and sharing the biggest, best hugs.Then one day Stella is gone, and George is ready to cancel Saturdays. But when a new addition to the family arrives, George finds a way to celebrate the priceless memories he made with his grandma -- while making new ones too.
Publisher: n/a
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9781624149214
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Hardcover
Dance Like a Leaf
By Irving, Aj
As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to lovingly take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.
Publisher: n/a
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9781646860579
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Hardcover
The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden
By Smith, Heather
When the tsunami destroyed Makio's village, Makio lost his father . . . and his voice. The entire village is silenced by grief, and the young child's anger at the ocean grows. Then one day his neighbor, Mr. Hirota, begins a mysterious project - building a phone booth in his garden. At first Makio is puzzled; the phone isn't connected to anything. It just sits there, unable to ring. But as more and more villagers are drawn to the phone booth, its purpose becomes clear to Makio: the disconnected phone is connecting people to their lost loved ones. Makio calls to the sea to return what it has taken from him and ultimately finds his voice and solace in a phone that carries words on the wind. The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden is inspired by the true story of the wind phone in Otsuchi, Japan, which was created by artist Itaru Sasaki. He built the phone booth so he could speak to his cousin who had passed, saying, "My thoughts couldn't be relayed over a regular phone line, I wanted them to be carried on the wind." The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the town of Otsuchi, claiming 10 percent of the population. Residents of Otsuchi and pilgrims from other affected communities have been traveling to the wind phone since the tsunami.
Publisher: n/a
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9781459821033
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Hardcover
I Miss My Grandpa
By Xiaojing, Jin
For fans of Ed Young and Peter Sis, this breathtaking picture book, from LBYR's first Emerging Artist Award Winner, Jin Xiaojing, is the perfect read for anyone who has lost a loved one. A young girl has never met her grandpa. He passed away before she was born, but she misses him every day. She often wonders...what did he look like? Grandma says: His face was shaped like the moon, his mouth was good at telling stories, and his hair was as curly as a bird's nest. With the help of her grandma and the rest of her loving family, will this young girl be able to imagine her grandpa's face in her mind--and feel the love that he shared with others?
Publisher: n/a
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9780316417877
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Hardcover
The Goodbye Book
By Parr, Todd
From bestselling author Todd Parr, a poignant and reassuring story about loss.
Publisher: n/a
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9780316404976
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Hardcover
All the Pieces
By Licsw, Hallie Riggs Msw
A picture book to help children understand the loss of a loved one to drug overdose. . Often, children who lose a loved one to overdose are not truthfully told what happened to the person who died, because of the stigma associated with this type of death. They often assume that the death was their fault (rather than that it was the symptom of a disease) and that it's not okay to remember their loved one, nor is it okay to feel angry about the death.. This book aims to help parents and practitioners address these specific areas and provide validation/ normalization of these grief responses.
Just What to Do
By Lukoff, Kyle
A tender picture book about grief and the many ways to offer comfort in sad times, from Newbery Honor-winner Kyle Lukoff.. When you see someone sad, it's only natural to want to cheer them up. But how? Some people like hugs but others don't. Sometimes a joke is more comforting than a card. How can you do the just-right-thing if you don't know what it is? . With its spare, poignant text and unexpectedly levitous illustrations, Just What to Do offers an important lesson about how to offer comfort to loved ones by setting aside your assumptions and following their lead.
Something Very Sad Happened
By Zucker, Bonnie
Something Very Sad Happened is a useful tool for parents, caregivers, therapists, and teachers to help young children understand the concept of death and begin the process of coping with the loss. Intended for children ages 2 and 3, the book explains death and loss to a very young child in a simple and age-appropriate way. It also serves as a starting point for discussion when parents or other adults may be grieving. Includes a "Reader's Note" and "Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Therapists" written by the author.
The Hare-Shaped Hole
By Dougherty, John
"A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning." - Joe Coelho, UK Children's Laureate. The Hare-Shaped Hole is a beautiful, touching, and poignant picture book which gently explores themes of grief and loss.. Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though
Goodbye
By Madison, Megan
A picture book edition of the board book about grief, offering adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.. Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven picture book offers clear, concrete language and compelling imagery to introduce the concept of grief. This book aims to normalize the topic of death by discussing what it means and how it feels to experience loss. It centers around several questions that arise about grief and honest, simple ways to answer them.. While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin.
See You on the Other Side
By Minor, Rachel Montez
This lyrical picture book is a beautiful, heart-opening ode to loved ones we've lost and a reminder that their love will carry on with us forever. Filled with stunning illustrations and uplifting text, this is an inspiring story for children and adults to read together in times of need.. This is not goodbye, sweet child.I'll see you on the other side. . . .. Simple, rhyming text and evocative illustrations offer comfort to children who may be grieving, or coming to terms with the idea of loss or change. The universal message opens the door to our collective healing, and the everlasting connection of love. . Actress, dancer, and singer Rachel Montez Minor wrote this book to help children and their families process big life changes. With illustrations from Mariyah Rahman, Minor's soothing and poetic words are a balm for the spirit.
A Stopwatch from Grampa
By Garbutt, Loretta
"When summer started, I got Grampa's stopwatch," a small child says. "I don't want his stopwatch. I want him." Grampa used to time everything. A race to the end of the street and back: 24 seconds. Eating bubblegum ice cream: 1 minute, 58 seconds. But now, Grampa's gone. "There are no more Grampa minutes, Grampa seconds," the child says. "Time just stops." As the seasons come and go, the stopwatch becomes a cherished symbol of remembrance, and the child uses it to carry on Grampa's favorite pastimes and traditions. Loretta Garbutt uses subtlety and sensitivity to explore the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) in this moving picture book story of loss. It features a gender-neutral main character (no first name or pronouns are given) making the story universally relatable.
The Yellow Suitcase
By Sriram, Meera
In The Yellow Suitcase by Meera Sriram, Asha travels with her parents from America to India to mourn her grandmother's passing. Asha's grief and anger are compounded by the empty yellow suitcase usually reserved for gifts to and from Grandma, but when she discovers a gift left behind just for her, Asha realizes that the memory of her grandmother will live on inside her, no matter where she lives.
When Dinosaurs Die
By Brown, Marc
The authors explain in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died.
Ida, Always
By Levis, Caron
A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears.Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always. Then one sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn't going to get better. The friends help each other face the difficult news with whispers, sniffles, cuddles, and even laughs. Slowly Gus realizes that even after Ida is gone, she will still be with him - through the sounds of their city, and the memories that live in their favorite spots. Ida, Always is an exquisitely told story of two best friends - inspired by a real bear friendship - and a gentle, moving, needed reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always.
I Have a Question about Death
By Gaines, Arlen Grad
Death is a difficult topic for any parent or educator to explain to a child, perhaps even more so when the child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Special Needs. This book is designed specifically to help children with these additional needs to understand what happens when someone dies. The first book of its kind, I Have a Question about Death uses straightforward text and images to walk children through what it means when someone dies, as well as ways they might want to react or to think about the person. Using clear illustrations throughout and with information for parents and guardians, this book is essential for families with a child aged 5-11 with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs.
The Purple Balloon
By Raschka, Chris
When a child becomes aware of his pending death (children tend to know long before the rest of us even want to consider it), and is given the opportunity to draw his feelings, he will often draw a blue or purple balloon, released and unencumbered, on its way upward. Health-care professionals have discovered that this is true, regardless of a child's cultural or religious background and researchers believe that this is symbolic of the child's innate knowledge that a part of them will live forever. . . . In disarmingly simple and direct language, accompanied by evocative potato print illustrations, Raschka in conjunction with Children's Hospice International (CHI), creates a moving, sensitive book that is also a phenomenally useful tool to talk about death.
I Remember Miss Perry
By Brisson, Pat
It's his first day at a new school, and Stevie is scared.Who will he talk to at lunchtime But his teacher says, "It is my fondest wish that you join me for lunch today, Stevie."And with that, a bad day becomes a good one. Miss Perry always has a new fondest wish - something new to read, sing, celebrate. But then an awful thing happens: Miss Perry dies in a car accident, and everything is suddenly sad and complicated.Yet Stevie and his classmates must find their way to happiness again. It would surely be Miss Perry's fondest wish. Pat Brisson and Stphane Jorisch have created a poignant story, appropriate for children coping with a teacher's death or in need of comfort after any loss. Readers of all ages will be affected by its depth and honesty, and buoyed by its capacity for joy.
Lunas Red Hat
By Smid, Emmi
It is a beautiful spring day, and Luna is having a picnic in the park with her family, wearing her Mums red hat. Lunas Mum died one year ago and she still finds it difficult to understand why. She feels that it may have been her fault and worries that her Dad might leave her in the same way. Her Dad talks to her to explain what happened and together they think about all the happy memories they have of Mum. This beautifully-illustrated storybook is designed as a tool to be read with children aged 6 who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide. Suicide always causes shock, not just for the family members but for everyone around them, and children also have to deal with these feelings. The book approaches the subject sensitively and includes a guide for parents and professionals by bereavement expert, Dr Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers. It will be of interest to anyone working with, or caring for, children bereaved by suicide, including bereavement counsellors, social workers and school staff, as well as parents, carers and other family members.
Cry, Heart, But Never Break
By Ringtved, Glen
Aware their grandmother is gravely ill, four siblings make a pact to keep death from taking her away. But Death does arrive all the same, as it must. He comes gently, naturally. And he comes with enough time to share a story with the children that helps them to realize the value of loss to life and the importance of being able to say goodbye.Glenn Ringtved is a best-selling and award-winning Danish children's author, whose books have been widely translated.Charlotte Pardi is a well-beloved Danish illustrator, who has created numerous books since her first picture book in 2000.Robert Moulthrop is a published playwright. He lives in Greenwich Village, New York City.
One More Wednesday
By Doray, Malika
On Wednesdays when I was little, Granny and I baked cakes and cookies....And that was only one of the things that made Wednesdays -- and Granny -- special.Malika Doray has written and illustrated a unique tale of love, loss, and understanding that will help and comfort anyone who has lost someone important, and open the way for all of us to talk about the mysteries of life, death, and eternity.
Moonshadow's Journey
By Lobel, Gillian
For the very first time, young Moonshadow is flying south. Grandfather is leading the swans as they travel to a warm place for the winter. But when a terrible storm strikes, not all the swans make it through. Though his heart is heavy, Moonshadow finds the strength to continue the journey. Gillian Lobel's beautifully written tale deals gently with loss and bereavement, while Karin Littlewood's enchanting paintings create a memorable world for young readers.
Following Grandfather
By Wells, Rosemary
Invisible to humans exists a parallel world of mice, where young Jenny misses her cherished grandfather so much that she begins to see him everywhere.Jenny is as close to her grandfather as a small mouse can be. Grandfather shows Jenny how to button her buttons and how to write her name. He passes along to her the secrets of making the best lasagna in all of Boston. And during long, shared days at Revere Beach, Grandfather teaches Jenny the names of the seashells they find washed up on shore. When Grandfather is all of a sudden gone one day, the hole he leaves behind is too great for Jenny to fathom. Isn't that him turning a corner, sitting on a bench, heading for the pier, walking along their beloved beach? Jenny runs after the familiar silver whiskers, hoping. . . . Rosemary Wells peels back the layers of grief to reveal, at its core, something as exquisite and achingly beautiful as the rare and storied queen's teacup seashell. Christopher Denise illustrates mid-century Boston with affection, and a mouse and her grandfather with gentle humor and unabashed sympathy.
Anna's Heaven
By Hole, Stian
It is a day when everything aches and nails are raining from the sky. Anna's mother has died. Anna and her father are making their way to the funeral. But along the way they talk -- capturing memories, asking hard questions, picturing what heaven might be like. Anna's imagination leads both of them on a journey that, by the end, might just offer a certain sort of peace.With captivating artwork and text that is at times whimsical, at times haunting, this profound book will make a perfect companion for readers who are wrestling with their own questions about life's mysteries.
The Scar
By Moundlic, Charlotte
A little boy responds to his mothers death in a genuine, deeply moving story leavened by glimmers of humor and captivating illustrations.. When the boy in this story wakes to find that his mother has died, he is overwhelmed with sadness, anger, and fear that he will forget her. He shuts all the windows to keep in his mothers familiar smell and scratches open the cut on his knee to remember her comforting voice. He doesnt know how to speak to his dad anymore, and when Grandma visits and throws open the windows, its more than the boy can take - until his grandmother shows him another way to feel that his moms love is near. With tenderness, touches of humor, and unflinching emotional truth, Charlotte Moundlic captures the loneliness of grief through the eyes of a child, rendered with sympathy and charm in Olivier Tallecs expressive illustrations.
The Memory String
By Bunting, Eve
Each button on Laura's memory string represents a piece of her family history. The buttons Laura cherishes the most belonged to her mother - a button from her prom dress, a white one off her wedding dress, and a single small button from the nightgown she was wearing on the day she died. When the string breaks, Laura's new stepmother, Jane, is there to comfort Laura and search for a missing button, just as Laura's mother would have done. But it's not the same - Jane isn't Mom. In Eve Bunting's moving story, beautifully illustrated by Ted Rand, Laura discovers that a memory string is not just for remembering the past: it's also for recording new memories.
Samantha Jane's Missing Smile
By Pincus, Donna
The story of a young girl whose father has recently died, which deals with the full range of emotions, questions, and worries that children have when a parent has died. Offers ways to remember and honor the lost parent, encourages the open sharing of feelings, and helps children understand that their parents want them to be happy and live their lives fully.
Always by My Side
By Kerner, Susan
Always By My Side is a comforting, rhyming story written to help children understand that a father's love is forever, even if they grow up without his presence in their lives. This beautifully illustrated book conveys the heart-warming message to children that even though a father is not in their lives, he is still part of them. They will realize that they are like him in character, looks and actions; that his spirit surrounds them in their day-to-day activities, and helps to make them who they are.
Molly's Rosebush
By Janice, D.s.w. Cohn
When the new baby they've been expecting isn't strong enough to be born, Molly and her family find different ways to express their feelings and comfort each other.
Ben's Flying Flowers
By Bogade, Maria
Ben's Flying Flowers follows Emily as she tries to overcome her grief following her brother's death. As time passes, Emily finds a way to remember her brother and grows to understand that although Ben has died, her happy memories of him can continue to live on.
Gentle Willow
By Mills, Joyce C
Written for children who may not survive their illness or for the children who know them, this tale helps address feelings of disbelief, anger, and sadness, along with love and compassion. Amanda and Little Tree discover that their friend Gentle Willow isn't feeling very well.
Rafa Was My Robot
By Dellevoet, Alexandra
A gentle tale of love, friendship, and loss. Rafa the robot goes everywhere with Jacob -- to swim lessons, to school, and even on trips to far-off places. One day, Rafa doesn't feel well, so Jacob takes him to the doctor. When the doctor explains that Rafa's special robot battery needs replacing, Jacob travels the world to find the right one. Sadly, he comes back empty-handed, and one day soon after, as Jacob holds Rafa's hand, his robot friend dies. Jacob is heartbroken, but he creates a memorial that helps him honor Rafa so that he is always close by. This quietly moving picture book will help young children through the difficult process of losing someone or something they love. Without diminishing the pain of losing a loved one, Rafa Was My Robot conveys a comforting message that by keeping them in your heart, they are never far away.
I'll See You in My Dreams
By Jukes, Mavis
"If she were a skywriter, she would put on a brown leather Amelia Earhart jacket and a silk scarf . . ." In Newbery Honor Mavis Jukes' inspiring new picture book, a little girl imagines herself a skywriter and finds the courage to face her dying uncle. A beautiful book aglow with the lush color of a New England sunset. Full color throughout.
Blue
By Seeger, Laura Vaccaro
How many shades of blue are there?There's the soft blue of a baby's cherished blanket, the ocean blue of a romp in the waves, the chilly blue of a cold winter's walk in the snow, and the true blue of the bond that exists between children and animals.In this simple, sumptuously illustrated companion to Caldecott Honor Book Green, award-winning artist Laura Vaccaro Seeger turns her attention to the ways in which color evokes emotion, and in doing so tells the story of one special and enduring friendship.
The Rough Patch
By Lies, Brian
Evan and his dog do everything together. They play and read and eat. But mostly you will find them tending to Evan's extraordinary garden, where flowers and other good things flourish and reach for the sky.But friends don't always stay forever, and when Evan loses his, he destroys the place that meant the most to them, and creates something to match his mood. Something ugly and twisted, sad and stubborn, ragged and rough - and he likes it that way. Until one day . . . New York Times-bestselling author Brian Lies has created a breathtakingly beautiful and luminescent book about loss and grief, love and hope, and the healing power of friendship, curiosity, and nature.
Saturdays Are For Stella
By Wellins, Candy
George loves Saturdays. That's because Saturdays mean time with Grandma Stella. The two of them love going on adventures downtown to visit the dinosaur museum and ride on the carousel! Even when they stay in, George and Stella have fun together, making cinnamon rolls without popping open a tube and sharing the biggest, best hugs.Then one day Stella is gone, and George is ready to cancel Saturdays. But when a new addition to the family arrives, George finds a way to celebrate the priceless memories he made with his grandma -- while making new ones too.
Dance Like a Leaf
By Irving, Aj
As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to lovingly take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.
The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden
By Smith, Heather
When the tsunami destroyed Makio's village, Makio lost his father . . . and his voice. The entire village is silenced by grief, and the young child's anger at the ocean grows. Then one day his neighbor, Mr. Hirota, begins a mysterious project - building a phone booth in his garden. At first Makio is puzzled; the phone isn't connected to anything. It just sits there, unable to ring. But as more and more villagers are drawn to the phone booth, its purpose becomes clear to Makio: the disconnected phone is connecting people to their lost loved ones. Makio calls to the sea to return what it has taken from him and ultimately finds his voice and solace in a phone that carries words on the wind. The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden is inspired by the true story of the wind phone in Otsuchi, Japan, which was created by artist Itaru Sasaki. He built the phone booth so he could speak to his cousin who had passed, saying, "My thoughts couldn't be relayed over a regular phone line, I wanted them to be carried on the wind." The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the town of Otsuchi, claiming 10 percent of the population. Residents of Otsuchi and pilgrims from other affected communities have been traveling to the wind phone since the tsunami.
I Miss My Grandpa
By Xiaojing, Jin
For fans of Ed Young and Peter Sis, this breathtaking picture book, from LBYR's first Emerging Artist Award Winner, Jin Xiaojing, is the perfect read for anyone who has lost a loved one. A young girl has never met her grandpa. He passed away before she was born, but she misses him every day. She often wonders...what did he look like? Grandma says: His face was shaped like the moon, his mouth was good at telling stories, and his hair was as curly as a bird's nest. With the help of her grandma and the rest of her loving family, will this young girl be able to imagine her grandpa's face in her mind--and feel the love that he shared with others?
The Goodbye Book
By Parr, Todd
From bestselling author Todd Parr, a poignant and reassuring story about loss.
All the Pieces
By Licsw, Hallie Riggs Msw
A picture book to help children understand the loss of a loved one to drug overdose. . Often, children who lose a loved one to overdose are not truthfully told what happened to the person who died, because of the stigma associated with this type of death. They often assume that the death was their fault (rather than that it was the symptom of a disease) and that it's not okay to remember their loved one, nor is it okay to feel angry about the death.. This book aims to help parents and practitioners address these specific areas and provide validation/ normalization of these grief responses.