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Madenski, Melissa, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray. Some of the Pieces. Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, 1991.
A year after Dylan's father's death, Dylan and his mother and sister scatter the last of the ashes in the river. While doing so Dylan and his mother share their memories and stories of his father. Dylan shares his grief and denial when he first heard the news. The book shows how the intensity of grief lessens over time, as well as the value of sharing memories.
PARENT ILLNESS
Martin, Ann M. Claudia and Crazy Peaches (The Baby-Sitters' Club #78). New York, N.Y.: Scholastic, 1994.
This book is also recommended for the 7-12 Age Group.
One of the popular Baby-Sitters' Club series, this book tells of Claudia's aunt, Peaches' pregnancy and miscarriage. It also mentions Claudia's continuing sense of loss following her grandmother's death (in Claudia and the Sad Good-bye, reviewed below). Incidentally, Peaches does have a baby further on in the series.
RELATIVE MISCARRIAGE
Martin, Ann M. Claudia and the Sad Good-bye (The Baby-Sitters' Club #26). New York, N.Y.: Scholastic, 1989.
This book is also recommended for the 7-12 Age Group.
One of the very popular Baby-Sitters' Club series, this book tells of Claudia's relationship with Mimi, her grandmother, and her grief following Mimi's death. Although the literary style is as expected from this children's series the popularity of the series makes this book accessible. The emotions and experiences of Claudia, her family and friends are believable, and follow the precepts of a grief manual. Although this may make this book seem unworthy it is a good guide to the grief process and accessible to younger children, especially fans of the series.GRANDPARENT ILLNESS
Martin, Ann M. Mary Anne and the Memory Garden (The Baby-Sitters' Club #93). New York, N.Y.: Scholastic, 1996.
This book is also recommended for the 7-12 Age Group.
One of the very popular Baby-Sitters' Club series, this book was written in response to the letters the author had received requesting a story dealing with the death of a classmate, and also drunk driving. This story shows the grief, and the different ways of expressing it, present in a school community following the death of a student. Mary Anne searches for a way to acknowledge and remember her friend Amelia. The story includes Mary Anne's visit to a therapist.
PEER ACCIDENT
Mayled, Jon. Death Customs. Hove, U.K.: Wayland, 1986.
This book offers basic information about the death customs of various religions, those prevalent in the United Kingdom: Buddhism; Chinese; Christianity; Hinduism; Islam; Judaism; Sikhism, Very basic information that offers a multi-cultural aspect on death customs.
NON-FICTION
Mellonie, Bryan, illustrated by Robert Ingpen and Dineke Kaye, Samoan translation by Ruby Va'a and Vio Solofa, Tongan translation by Konai Thaman and Taimoni Tongamoa. Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between. Suva, Fiji: Institute of Pacific Studies of the University of the South Pacific, 1991.
Fiji
This book is also recommended for the 0-5 Age Group.
The text is in three languages: English, Samoan, and Tongan. A gentle introduction to the life cycle and the knowledge that every living thing has an ending, with a lifetime of living. A highly recommended book. There are other editions available which are not multilingual.
NON-FICTION
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Norman, Lilith, illustrated by Noela Young. Grandpa. Sydney, NSW: Margaret Hamilton Books, 1998.
Australian
Blake's Grandpa lived with them for the last months of his life, which made life difficult for Blake and his parents. Even though Blake can think of all these reasons why it's good Grandpa isn't there, he misses him.
GRANDPARENT OLD AGE
Padoan, Gianni, illustrated by Emanuela Collini. Remembering Grandad: Facing Up to Death. Italy: Child's Play, 1987.
Gwen and Joe are very supportive of their friend, James, while his grandfather is sick and then when he dies. The children share their memories of their grandparents. James shares a discussion he had had with his Grandad about death, and Grandad's thoughts on his own death. James has many special memories and momentos to keep his Grandad's memory alive.
GRANDPARENT ILLNESS
Perkins, Ginny, photographs by Leon Morris. Remembering Mum. London: A. & C. Black, 1991.
This book focuses on life of a family a few years after the death of the mother. The book is illustrated by photographs of the family conducting a day in their life. The children spend the day remembering their mother by: caring for her memorial garden at school; making things for their mother's grave; visiting the grave; looking through family photographs and reminiscing. This book is special in the way it shows how memories can be cherished and provide comfort and a sense of continuity. It also shows that grief is a long-term process. Death is not explained, but this is a worthwhile text for its openness, accessibility, and realism.
PARENT ILLNESS
Perkins, Ginny, photographs by Leon Morris. Remembering My Brother. London: A. & C. Black, 1996.
Greg remembers his older brother Chris and shares those memories with the reader. Greg's family still miss Chris, and include Chris' memory in a lot of their activities, years after his death. Those who grieve for Chris include his teachers and friends and fellow classmates. Greg knows they will always remember Chris but that it will hurt less over time.
SIBLING CANCER
Powell, E. Sandy, illustrated by Renée Graef. Geranium Morning. Minneapolis, Minn.: Carolrhoda Books, 1990.
Timothy and Frannie have both lost a parent: Tim, his father in an accident; Frannie, her mother through a long-term illness. The children's emotions are realistically shown, along with a brief discussion about which is worse: the accident or the long-term illness. Timothy's anger, guilt and problems at school are shown, as well as his mother's inability to cope. Timothy reaches a point of closure and healing by the end of the book.PARENT ACCIDENT
Pringle, Laurence. Death is Natural. New York, N.Y.: Four Winds Press, 1977.
A book which explains death's part in the life cycle in simple terms. Subjects include: natural selection; species extinction; and over population.
NON-FICTION
Quinlan, Patricia, illustrated by Janet Wilson. Tiger Flowers. New York, N.Y.: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1994.
The strength of this book lies in the bond between the young narrator and his Uncle Michael. The book is out of the ordinary in that Michael and his friend, Peter, die from AIDS-related illnesses. Michael's illness means he lives with the narrator's family, which strengthens an already deep bond. Michael's physical deterioration is shown in the soft illustrations. This is a compassionate text, which could be used to introduce a discussion about the AIDS-virus. The comfort found in memories is also shown.
RELATIVE AIDS
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Russo, Marisabina. Grandpa Abe. New York, N.Y.: Greenwillow Books, 1996.
Grandpa Abe visits Sarah in hospital when she is born, even though he's only her grandmother's boyfriend. Grandpa Abe and Sarah's grandmother marry when Sarah is one. Grandpa Abe is always there for Sarah, sharing her birthdays and her taste in spaghetti. Grandpa Abe dies when Sarah is nine, but Sarah doesn't believe it. Sarah's grandmother lets Sarah keep one of Grandpa Abe's jumpers and Sarah does one of Grandpa Abe's magic tricks, to keep his memory alive.
GRANDPARENT OLD AGE
Sandford, Doris, illustrated by Graci Evans. It Must Hurt a Lot: a Child's Book About Death. Portland, Or.: Multnomah Press, 1986.
This book discusses the death of a pet, often the first death children have to deal with. It is written specifically in order to help children learn about death, and to help adults aid a child's passage through the grief process. Joshua's puppy is run over by a neighbour. This is worth noting as most pet deaths represented in books are as a result of old age. Joshua's growth from the loss comes from the learning of his special secrets: "When I love lots I hurt lots;" "My friends want to help. They just don't know how;" Everybody handles feelings in his own way;" "If you love somebody tell him now;" "I can help my friends when they hurt;" "GOOD memories always stay." It is more suitable for the over-sixes as it is more a text on grief than on the realities of death.
PET ACCIDENT
Smith, Doris Buchanan, illustrated by Charles Robinson. A Taste of Blackberries. New York, N.Y.: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1973.
Although published nearly 30 years ago, this book does not really show it's age. Jamie's best friend tells the story of their friendship and his disbelief after Jamie dies from a bee sting. As nobody knew Jamie was allergic to bees the death is very shocking. Jamie's friend goes through a period of disbelief but, as everybody prepares for the funeral, reality sinks in. One of the elderly neighbours, Mrs Mullins, helps him cope by honestly answering his questions, even if the answers are "I don't know." An honest account of grief, including the fact that children cannot cope with the emotions of grief for extended periods of time.
PEER ILLNESS
Stevens, Margaret, photographs by Kenneth Ualand. When Grandpa Died. Chicago, Ill.: Childrens Press, 1979.
A simple story telling about the relationship between a young girl and her Grandpa. Her first exposure to death is the discovery of a dead bird. Grandpa explains about death and they hold a funeral service for it. Grandpa grows ill and eventually dies. The young girl promises to tell her little sister all about Grandpa when she's older.GRANDPARENT ILLNESS
Stolz, Mary, illustrated by Garth Williams. King Emmett the Second. New York, N.Y.: Greenwillow, 1991.
Emmett's family moves from New York to Ohio in the midst of Emmett's grief over the death of his pet pig, King Emmett. King Emmett had been kept on a farm, which Emmett used to visit, but he has gone the way of all pigs. Emmett is angry with his parents as they had not told him. Emmett begins to notice other pets and finally decides to get a new one - a dog called King Emmett the Second, or King, for short.
PET OTHER
Townsend, Maryann and Ronnie Stern. Pop's Secret. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1980.
This book is based upon Maryann Townsend's family's experience following the death of her father-in-law, and is based upon her son Mark's grief. Mark tells the story of Pop, which is lavishly illustrated by photographs from the family's collection. Mark tells of his relationship with Pop, and the story of Pop's life. After Pop dies Mark remembers Pop telling him that he'll always have his memories of their special times.
GRANDPARENT ILLNESS
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