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Bereavement Resources for Children:
A Selected Annotated Bibliography

SIDS Specific Books on Grief for Children

Sample J,
Besos y abrazos al aire [Flying Hugs and Kisses],
Centennial, CO: Lifevest Publishing. 2006. 32p.

Flying Hugs and Kisses book is a Spanish- language resource for families with children who have lost a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The book is about five children who creatively take on roles of support toward each other while showing their individual feelings about the death of their baby brother to SIDS.

Available from:
Authors to Believe In
Lifevest Publishing
4901 East Dry Creek Road #170
Centennial, CO 80122.
(877) 843-1007 (Toll-free)
atbi@lifevestpublishing.com (E-mail)
http://authorstobelievein.com/children.htm .

Sample J.
Flying Hugs and Kisses.
Centennial, CO: Lifevest Publishing. 2006. 32p.

Flying Hugs and Kisses is a great resource for families with children who have lost a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The book is about five children who creatively take on roles of support toward each other while showing their individual feelings about the death of their baby brother to SIDS.

Available from:
Lifevest Publishing
4901 East Dry Creek Road, #170
Centennial, CO 80122.
(877) 843-1007
atbi@lifevestpublishing.com (E-mail)
http://www.lifevestpublishing.com

Kane D.
Missing Hannah: Based on a true story of Sudden Infant Death.
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse. 2006. 27p.

This simple picture book is written to help children understand the feelings and thoughts of a little girl who lost her sister. The message conveyed in the book will parents help parents tell the story of SIDS to children in a simple way.

Available from:
AuthorHouse
1663 Liberty Dr, Ste 200
Bloomington, IN 47403
(888) 519-5121
http://www.authorhouse.com

Roper J, Grimm L., ill.
Dancing on the Moon
Cheverly, MD: SIDS Educational Services, Inc. 2001. 36 p.

This book tells the story of 5-year old Carly whose little brother, Nigel, dies of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Carly is initially jealous of her brother when he joins the family, but she soon learns it’s fun to be a big sister. Then one day she hears a scream from the baby’s room and soon Mommy and Nigel are whisked away in an ambulance. That night, people crowd into the house and everyone is crying. Carly realizes that Nigel never came home from the hospital and she misses him badly. For a long time the grownups around her cry. One night Carly dreams that she has flown to the moon to bring Nigel back to her sad parents. “My Carly,†Nigel says, because now he can talk, “I rest on your shoulder as you take a walk.†Nigel tells his big sister that he is everywhere she is, in the threads of her shirt, the fluffy blankets on her bed, and the wind in her hair. She wants to bring her baby brother back home with her, but at the Moon’s edge they must part. Carly wakes up to see the Moon shining down on her and realizes that her Mommy was right: Nigel was not gone, he was inside her heart. The book is written in rhyme by Janice Roper, who lost her son, Daniel, to SIDS when he was 3 months old. Her daughter, Selena, who was then 3 years old, was the inspiration for the book. When her Mommy told her that Danny had gone to heaven, Selena replied, “I’m going to go get him back!†The book is suitable for children ages 3 to 8.

Available from:
SIDS Educational Services, Inc.
2905 64th Avenue
Cheverly, MD 20785
(877) 935-6839 (Toll-free)
(301) 322-2620
(301) 322-9822 (Fax)
sidses@aol.com (E-mail)
http://www.dancingonthemoon.org/

Sanders DB
Helping children grieve: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Rancho Cordova, CA: California SIDS Program, 2001.8p.

This booklet is directed at persons who care for children who have lost a sibling to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), including parents, grandparents, childcare providers, clergy, teachers, and other friends and relatives. When a baby dies suddenly with no warning, the whole family must cope with confusing emotions. Surviving siblings need a way to express their feelings, they need help and support, and they need to feel loved and valued. The booklet discusses the types of emotions that children may feel while grieving for an infant sibling who has died, including fear, anger, guilt, and sadness. The booklet also discusses when parents or others should worry about a child's reactions to the death; the importance of everyone talking about the death; what one should and should not say about where the baby went; siblings' participation in the funeral; ways in which siblings can remember the brother or sister who died; and how the level of understanding of death differs with a child's age.

Available from:
California SIDS Program
11344 Coloma Road, Suite 560
Gold River, CA 95670-6304
(916) 851-7437
(800) 369-7437 (Toll-free in California)
(916) 851-5937 (Fax)
info@californiasids.com (e-mail)
http://www.californiasids.com

Spelman CM
Stacy had a little sister
Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company, 1996. 24p.

Six-year-old Charlotte feels sad and angry after her mom dies in a car accident. Her dad is sad, too, and often seems too busy to notice Charlotte. But after she gets into a fight at school, he suggests that they both visit Anna, a therapist. With Anna's help, Charlotte voices her concerns, and she and her dad learn that as time goes on, their happy feelings will get bigger and their sad feelings will get smaller and smaller.

Available from:
Albert Whitman & Company
6340 Oakton Street
Morton Grove, IL 60053-2723
(800) 255-7675 (Toll-free)
(847) 581-0033
(847)581-0039 (fax)
mail@awhitmanco.com (E-mail)
http://www.awhitmanco.com

Chin-Yee F
Sam's Story
Rancho Cordova, CA: California SIDS Program, 1992. 32p.

"Sam's Story" and its accompanying parent's guide are intended to increase communication between parents and their surviving children after the sudden death of a baby, especially when the death is due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The book was written to help siblings of SIDS victims and their families cope with the tragedy of SIDS and with their own grief. The illustrations are designed to foster an understanding of the events surrounding the baby's death and to promote family discussion about the baby's birth and death and resulting changes in family life. The book is intended for children 3 to 8 years of age.

Available from:
California SIDS Program
11344 Coloma Road, Suite 560
Gold River, CA 95670-6304
(916) 851-7437
(800) 369-7437 (Toll-free in California)
(916) 851-5937 (Fax)
info@californiasids.com (E-mail)
http://www.californiasids.com

General Books on Grief for Children

Goldman L.
Children also grieve: Talking about death and healing.
Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006. 79p.

This imaginative resource, fully illustrated with color photographs, offers support and reassurance to children coming to terms with the loss of a close friend or relative and to adults who are supporting them through their bereavement. The combination of narrative and interactive memory book in the first part of the book is designed to be read and worked through by children. The story tells of the experiences of Henry, the dog of a family whose grandfather has died. During Henry's progress through the different stages of bereavement, he learns strategies for coping with his grief. At various stages of the story, Goldman provides readers with the opportunity to share their own reactions to loss through words and pictures, using specific prompt questions that encourage the exploration of different facets of grief. The second part includes a list of useful vocabulary to help children express their feelings about bereavement, a bibliography of other useful resources for both children and adults, and a section that will help adults to understand and aid children throughout the grief process. This last section also explains the approach taken in the story, details typical responses to bereavement, and discusses useful ways in which adults can discuss and share grief with children.

Available from:
Jessica Kingsley
Taylor & Francis Group
400 Market St. Ste 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-1161
(866) 416-1078 (Toll-free)
(215) 922-1474 (Fax)
orders@jkp.com (E-mail)
http://www.jkp.com

J Johnson, M Johnson
Tell me, papa: Answers to questions children ask about death and dying.
Omaha, NE: Centering Corporation, 2005. 31p.

This book is designed to help young children understand the concepts of death and funeral. The narrator of the book is a grandpa named "Papa," who explains what happens when a person dies, the purpose of the funeral director and the funeral home, what the funeral director does with the body, what happens at the funeral service, what happens at the cemetery, and what it means when the deceased person's body is cremated.

Available from:
Centering Corporation
PO Box 4600
Omaha, NE 68104
(402) 553-1200
(402) 553-0507 (Fax)
centering@centering.org (E-mail)
http://www.centering.org

Mills JC.
Gentle Willow: A Story for children about dying.
Washington DC: Magination Press. 2003. 32p.

Written for children who may not survive their illness or for the children who know them, It helps address feelings of disbelief, anger, and sadness, along with love and compassion.

Available from:
Magination Press
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington DC 20002.
(800) 374-2721
(202) 336-5502 (Fax)
magination@apa.org (E-mail)
http://www.maginationpress.com

Wigglesworth P
Penny bear’s gift of love: A story of friendship between a grieving young boy and a magical little bear.
Marblehead, MA: The Penny Bear Company, Inc. 2003. 84 p.

The young child in the story, Johnathan Clarke, is very sad because his mother has just died. A magical little bear comes into his life to help him work through the first year without his mom. The story of their special friendship is told in month-by-month chapters by the little bear, known as "Penny Bear". While written for children, the book offers readers of all ages the reassurance of knowing that the love and memories we have shared with special people in our lives remain with us forever.

Available from:
The Penny Bear Company, Inc.
Six Elmwood Rd.
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-2828
bear@pennybear.org (E-mail)
http://www.pennybear.org/

Heegaard ME
Beyond the Rainbow: A workbook for children in the advanced stages of a very serious illness
Minneapolis, MN: Fairview Press, 2003. 32p.

This book offers an honest, gentle way to help children face the advanced stages of their serious illness. Through the creative and interactive drawing activities in this book, kids can learn to communicate openly about their illness, master fear and anxiety, develop important coping skills, discuss concerns about their treatment, share thoughts and feelings about death, express difficult feelings in appropriate ways, regain a sense of power in their lives, communicate personal wishes, and maintain hope.

Available from:
Fairview Press
2450 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(800) 544-8207 (Toll-free)
press@fairview.org (E-mail)
http://www.fairviewpress.org

Schwiebert P
We were gonna have a baby: But we had an angel instead.
Chicago, IL: ACTA. 2003. 24 p.

This special book for children who have recently lost a sibling-to-be, narrated by a young boy who shares his and his family’s disappointment and grief over a miscarriage or loss of his baby brother or sister. It both directly addresses the issues that children may face over the loss of an unborn child and also gives parents practical and sensitive advice to help their children cope with the death. The practical advice at the end of the book offers support and guidance to parents and grief ministers as they help children handle the stress of a miscarriage or stillbirth. The book is recommended for children 2 and older.

Available from:
ACTA Publications
4848 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640-4711
(800) 397-2282
(703) 271-1030
(800) 397-0079 (Fax)
actapublications@aol.com (E-mail)
http://www.actapublications.com/

O’Neal T, Alley RW ill.
When bad things happen: A guide to help kids cope.
St. Meinrad, IN: Abbey Press. 2003. 28p.

Truly bad things can and do happen in life. A child’s safe and happy world can shatter from the impact of a serious illness or accident, death or divorce, violence or a natural disaster. And while we cannot shelter children from every hurt and harm, we can begin to calm their fears, ease their sadness, and help them heal. This wonderful little booklet will help teach kids the skills needed for coping with life’s biggest changes and challenges.

Available from:
Abbey Press
One Caring Place
1 Hill Drive
St. Meinrad, IN 47577
(800) 325-2511
800-320-8670 (Fax)
customerservice@abbeypress.com (E-mail)
http://www.abbeypress.com/

Al-Chokhachy E
How can I help papa? : A child’s journey through loss and healing.
Gloucester, MA: Works of Hope Publishing. 2002. 32p.

This illustrated story is about a close relationship between nine-year-old Pumpkin and her grandfather. It is about happy times spent together, their journey when papa gets sick and how she dealt with his approaching death. The girl gently learns how to grieve and even have the opportunity to say goodbye to her grandpa.

Available from:
Works of Hope Publishing
25 Clark’s Road, #308
Amesbury, MA 01913
(877) 887-2828
(978) 388-7520
Elissa@WorksofHope.com (E-mail)
http://www.worksofhope.com/

Simon J
This book is for all kids, but especially my Sister Libby. Libby died.
Peoria, AZ: MISS Foundation, 2002. 32p.

This book is for anyone who's lost a loved one especially children dealing with loss. Jack Simon was five years old when his sister, Libby, died. She'd been born with a rare disorder and wasn't expected to survive six months. But she lived three and a half years, giving Jack plenty of time to get to know her. When she died, Jack struggles to understand how God could take away his little sister. Afraid to ask questions that might make someone sadder, children often keep their sorrow locked inside. Jack's mom, Annette, encourages her son to talk about his pain, and she insightfully begins a diary. Jack's questions eventually became the picture book This Book Is for All Kids, but Especially My Sister Libby. Libby Died. His words are illustrated with his input by his mom, a graphic designer. A grieving Jack thought no one in the world could possibly know how he felt. In truth, his questions are universal. Communication is especially important at a time of loss.

Available from:
Andrews McMeel Publishing
C/O Simon & Schuster, Inc.
100 Front Street
Riverside, NJ 08075.
(800) 943-9839 (Toll-free)
(800) 943-9831 (Fax)
http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Thomas P, Harker L
I miss you: A first look at death.
Hauppauge, NY: Barrons Educational Series, Inc. 2001, 32p.

When a close friend or family member dies, it can be difficult for children to express their feelings. This book helps boys and girls understand that death is a natural complement to life, and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings for them to have following a loved one's death. Titles in this sensitively presented series explore the dynamics of various relationships experienced by children of preschool through early school age. Kids are encouraged to understand personal feelings and social problems as a first step in dealing with them. Written by psychotherapist and counselor Pat Thomas, these books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. The story lines are simple and direct—easily accessible to younger children. There are full-color illustrations on every page.

Available from:
Barrons Educational Series, Inc.
200 Wireless Blvd.
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(800) 645-3478
(631) 434-3723 (Fax)
fbrown@barronseduc.com (E-mail)
http://barronseduc.com/

Wolfelt AD
Healing your grieving heart for kids: 100 practical ideas
Fort Collins, CO: Companion Press, 2001. 128p.

With sensitivity and insight, this series offers suggestions for healing activities that can help survivors learn to express their grief and mourn naturally. Acknowledging that death is a painful, ongoing part of life, they explain how people need to slow down, turn inward, embrace their feelings of loss, and seek and accept support when a loved one dies. Each book, geared for mourning adults, teens, or children, provides ideas and action-oriented tips that teach the basic principles of grief and healing. These ideas and activities are aimed at reducing the confusion, anxiety, and huge personal void so that the living can begin their lives again. Included in the books for teens and kids are age-appropriate activities that teach younger people that their thoughts are not only normal but necessary.

Available from:
Companion Press
The Center for Loss and Life Transition
3735 Broken Bow Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(970) 226-6050
Fax 800-922-6051
wolfelt@centerforloss.com (E-mail)
http://www.centerforloss.com

Jones EH
Bibliotherapy for bereaved children: Healing reading.
Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley. 2001. 144p.

Children grieve in different ways from adults and therefore they need alternative strategies to help them through their grief. Many children, lacking the skills to verbalize their feelings, feel embarrassed about discussing loss and react guardedly to one-to-one counseling. Written to help bereaved children understand and work through their grief, this book enables them to heal themselves by reading fiction, a process termed "bibliotherapy." Eileen Jones demonstrates how a well-chosen book can offer a personal encounter with characters who may have experienced similar emotions and how books can be read again and again to provide extended therapy for the bereaved child. The author analyses in detail one novel concerning bereavement through the responses of child readers, and reviews a wide range of other useful books. Bibliotherapy with Bereaved Children provides a comprehensive list of children's fiction to help with the process of grief and healing, and is an essential resource for all those living and working with bereaved children.

Available from:
Jessica Kingsley
Taylor & Francis Group
400 Market St. Ste 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-1161
(866) 416-1078 (Toll-free)
(215) 922-1474 (Fax)
orders@jkp.com (E-mail)
http://www.jkp.com

Palmer P, O’Quinn Burke D., ill.
I wish I could hold your hand: A child’s guide to grief and loss.
Atascadero, CA: Impact Publishers, Inc. 2000. 31 p.

This book talks about death and dying in a way that is understandable to young children. The book explains that it is good to have someone to love, whether that someone is a Mom, a Dad, a pet, or a teddy bear. But sometimes the people or pets we love have to leave. People and pets go away for many different reasons, and sometimes they die. When that happens, it hurts, and children will have many different feelings about it, including sadness, loneliness, fear, guilt, and anger. The book tells children that even though it hurts to feel the pain of losing someone they love, it is important for them to express their feelings. If they hold their feelings inside, it can cause aches and pains or sickness. Many grieving children cry; others get grumpy, sad, or quiet. It is OK to cry, and crying is a good way to show how one feels. It also is good for children to talk about their feelings with someone they really trust. Another good way to express those feelings is to write a letter to the deceased person or pet, or draw a picture. When children are feeling lost and alone, they need to ask themselves what they really want and need, and how they can help themselves feel better. They may need to ask for a hug from Mom or Dad, or to cuddle and rock their teddy bear. Children must be reminded that it is good to let themselves feel the empty space in their life when someone they love dies.

Available from:
Impact Publishers, Inc.
P.O. Box 6016
Atascadero, CA 93423-6016
http://www.impactpublishers.com/

The Dougy Center for Grieving Children
35 ways to help a grieving child.
Portland, OR: The Dougy Center for Grieving Children. 1999. 52p.

This guidebook is the result of feedback from thousands of grieving children and adolescents who have been helped by The Dougy Center for Grieving Children since it opened in 1982. The guide is intended for caring parents, teachers, and adult caregivers who want to support children who are grieving but are not sure how to go about it. The guide includes descriptions of other guidebooks produced by The Dougy Center as well as a list of other recommended books for children organized according to age level.

Available from:
The Dougy Center for Grieving Children
3909 SE 52nd Avenue
P.O. Box 86852
Portland, OR 97286
(503) 775-5683
(503) 777-3097 (Fax)
help@dougy.org (E-mail)
http://www.dougy.org/

Silverman J
Help me say goodbye: Activities for helping kids cope when a special person dies
Minneapolis, MN: Fairview Press. 1999. 32p.

An art therapy and activity book for children coping with the death of someone they love. Sensitive exercises address the questions and fears that kids may have during such an emotional and troubling event. Each activity helps children express themselves through different stages of grief.

Available from:
Fairview Press
2450 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(800) 544-8207 (Toll-free)
press@fairview.org (E-mail)
http://www.fairviewpress.org

Mundy M, Alley RW., ill.
Sad Isn’t bad: A good-grief guidebook for kids dealing with loss.
St. Meinrad, IN: Abbey Press. 1998. 33 p.

This book is intended as a guide for parents and other adults who wish to help grieving children cope with loss. Part of the Elf-Help series, the book is written to be understood by children in the early elementary grades. It contains color illustrations of a little elf who is sad because someone close to him died. The book conveys the following messages to grieving children: it’s OK to cry; it’s OK to ask questions about the casket, the body, or what will happen at the cemetery; it’s not your fault, even though you think you may have caused your loved one to get sick or have the accident; it’s good to share your feelings with someone who cares about you, and to let someone else know if you are having stomachaches or headaches or trouble sleeping because of the death; even though someone you love has died, there will always be people around to take care of you; you may feel scared that you or someone else you love will die, too, but remember that most people live a long life; even though you miss the person who is gone, you can still be happy with the people who are still here; you may want to be in heaven with your loved one, but that person would want you to stay here and do all the things a child does; when you miss that person, find a piece of clothing that he or she wore and hold it; do something special during the holidays to honor your loved one, like putting a special ornament on the Christmas tree; talk to someone you trust when you feel mixed up, angry, or confused; if you cannot keep your mind on your work at school, let your teacher and your friends know what has happened and that you are very sad right now; hug your family and you’ll feel better; don’t be afraid to talk about the person who died; ask someone to take you to the cemetery to visit the grave; put a picture of your loved one in your room, or ask if you can have something the loved one owned to keep as a memento; and remember that it will take time to feel better after someone you love has died.

Available from:
Abbey Press
One Caring Place
1 Hill Drive
St. Meinrad, IN 47577
(800) 325-2511
800-320-8670 (Fax)
customerservice@abbeypress.com (E-mail)
http://www.abbeypress.com/ (Web site)

Rothman J
A birthday present for Daniel—A child’s story of loss.
Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. 1996. 50 p.

This children’s book tells the story of a young girl whose brother, Daniel, has died. The book, written from the girl’s point of view, shares with readers what the loss means to her. She tries to understand her own feelings as well as those of her mother, father, and sister, illustrating that even family members have different reactions to the death of someone they love. The girl reacts to her brother’s death by wearing his clothes and ordering his favorite foods in the school cafeteria. The family’s dynamic changes, too. The little girl used to sit between her dad and Daniel at dinner; now she sits between her dad and her sister, Debbie. She realizes that her dad is now the only boy in the family. Daniel loved his birthday best of all the days of the year, so the girl’s mother decides that they can have a birthday party for Daniel, even if he isn’t there. The whole family goes to a party store to buy helium balloons and each one picks out two balloons. They write secret messages to Daniel on pieces of paper and tie the messages to the strings of the balloons. Then they go outside at sunset, sing “Happy Birthday†to Daniel, and let the balloons go. The little girl watches the balloons until she can see them no more. The book shows how one family acknowledges the birthday of a child who has died.

Available from:
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive
Amherst, NY 14228-2197
(800) 421-0351
(716) 691-0133
marketing@prometheusbooks.com (E-mail)
http://www.prometheusbooks.com/ (Web site)

Wolfelt AD
How I feel: A coloring book for grieving children
Fort Collins, CO: Companion Press. 1996. 24p.

Dr. Wolfelt's coloring book for kids ages 3-8 explores many of the feelings grieving children often experience. The expressive, easy-to-color drawings clearly depict disbelief, fear, anger, loneliness, happiness, sadness and other normal grief feelings. And the simple text accompanying the drawings ("Someone I love has died;" "Ever since this person died, I have felt new and scary feelings. Grown-ups call these feelings grief;" "Sometimes I feel all alone;" "Sometimes I hurt inside") provides grieving children with words to describe their new, sometimes scary feelings.

Available from:
Companion Press
The Center for Loss and Life Transition
3735 Broken Bow Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(970) 226-6050
Fax 800-922-6051
wolfelt@centerforloss.com (E-mail)
http://www.centerforloss.com

Spelman C, Friedman J
After Charlotte's mom died
Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company, 1996. 24p.

Six-year-old Charlotte feels sad and angry after her mom dies in a car accident. Her dad is sad, too, and often seems too busy to notice Charlotte. But after she gets into a fight at school, he suggests that they both visit Anna, a therapist. With Anna's help, Charlotte voices her concerns, and she and her dad learn that as time goes on, their happy feelings will get bigger and their sad feelings will get smaller and smaller.

Available from:
Albert Whitman& Company
Morton Grove, IL60053-2723
(800)255-7675(toll-free)
(847)581-0033
(847)581-0039(fax)
mail@awhitmanco.com (E-mail)
http://www.awhitmanco.com

Varley S
Badger's parting gifts.
Burnsville, NC: Compassion Books, 1992. 32p.

This is the story of old Badger who is kind, thoughtful, wise and is not afraid of dying. His only concern is how his friends will feel when he is gone. When Badger dies at first his friends are overwhelmed by their loss for Badger has been a good friend and he is greatly missed. Gradually the animals begin to remember the things Badger taught them. Over and over they share stories of remembrances. These memories made them stronger and less sad. They begin to smile again for their hearts are full. A lovely book to help prepare children for the death of someone they love, especially an older person.

Available from:
Compassion Books, Inc.
7036 Highway 80 South
Burnsville, NC 28714.
(800) 970-4220 (toll-free)
(828) 675-5909 (outside U.S)
(800) 970-3350 (fax)
(828) 675-9687 (fax outside U.S)
Heal2grow@aol.com (E-mail)
http://www.compassionbooks.com

O'Toole DR
Aarvy Aardvark finds hope: A read aloud story for people of all ages about loving and losing, friendship and hope.
Burnsville, NC: Compassion Books, 1988. 80p.

This story entertains, gives information about the grief process, and quickens hope and resiliency, even during times of profound loss. In the story, Aarvy Aardvark has become an orphan. Aarvy is so sad and upset that he can't eat or sleep, so full of despair and hopelessness that he wishes he would die. With empathy and compassion Ralphy Rabbit befriends Aarvy. Ralphy helps Aarvy understand about grief by sharing his own loss experiences. He validates the inner strengths and abilities Aarvy has that can help him endure and persevere through the longing and through the saddest of times. Then, through his gifts of practical help and presence, Ralphy Rabbit teaches Aarvy Aardvark that feelings can be endured, worked through and sometimes released by expressing them in words or actions. When Aarvy has an experience that allows him to remember and name his losses a great change comes about. Ralphy Rabbit is there to celebrate this change as are we the readers who can imagine with them how to find the rainbow of hope the rainbow of every color. Without ever denying the pain of grief, Aarvy's story shows us how grief can transformed us as it slowly reconnects us to love, to all that is important in life.

Available from:
Compassion Books, Inc.
7036 Highway 80 South
Burnsville, NC 28714.
(800) 970-4220 (toll-free)
(828) 675-5909 (outside U.S)
(800) 970-3350 (fax)
(828) 675-9687 (fax outside U.S)
Heal2grow@aol.com (E-mail)
http://www.compassionbooks.com

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