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Douglas, Eileen, illustrated by Katherine Potter. Rachel and the Upside Down Heart. Los Angeles, Calif.: Price Stern Sloan, 1998.
Written by Rachel's mother this book details Rachel's grief and her growing acceptance of her father's death. After her father's death, when Rachel is four, she and her mother move to a new lifestyle in New York. At seven Rachel passes on the lessons she has learnt to classmate, who has lost his father: [Y]ou might have a few sad dreams and a few bad feelings, like that you will die or your mommy will leave you, but - after a LONG, long time, you will get over it, like I did. He's still inside you, but if you're having a good time, then you don't remember.
PARENT ILLNESS
Ehrlich, Amy, illustrated by Robert J. Blake. Maggie and Silky and Joe. New York, N.Y.: Viking, 1994.
Joe has spent of his life with Maggie, the family's cow dog. When Joe was eight he adopted a stray dog, Silky, so it's now the three of them. Maggie ages and doesn't follow Joe around as much anymore. Maggie is scared of storms and during one storm she vanishes. Joe finds Maggie's body hidden under the back steps. Both Joe and Silky grieve for Maggie and they find comfort together.
PET OLD AGE
Hager, Mandy, illustrated by Ruth Paul. Tom's Story. Wellington, N.Z.: Mallinson Rendel Publishers, 1995.
New Zealand
This book is one of the best for illustrating the range of emotions often expressed in the grief process. It is based on the true story of the death of Tom's father in a boating accident. Tom begins with disbelief and denial, then moves on through anger, mainly with his father for leaving him. The family commemorates his father's birthday by planting trees for him. The book is simple in text and readily accessible to younger children, however the concept of death would still need to be explained.
PARENT ACCIDENT
Hazen, Barbara Shook, illustrated by Pat Schories. Why Did Grandpa Die?: a Book About Death. New York: Golden Books, 1985.
The main feature of this book is the strong relationship between Molly and her grandfather. Molly's first experience of death happens early in the book, when she finds a dead butterfly, and Grandpa explains the death process. When Grandpa dies Molly is initially angry with him for not fulfilling his promises to her. She misses him and it is only when expressing her feelings that the finality of his death becomes real. Molly's family provides continuity by maintaining Grandpa's garden and by allowing Molly to talk to him. It also shows Molly passing on Grandpa's teachings to her children. An excellent starting point for discussing death with ages six and over.
[Includes a "Notes to Parents" section]
GRANDPARENT OLD AGE
Hessell, Jenny, illustrated by Mandy Nelson. Nobody's Perfect. Auckland, N.Z.: Century Hutchinson, 1989.
New Zealand
Touches of humour lighten an otherwise serious discussion, which can be quite a relief. The six-year-old narrator's mother has always warned him of The Terrible Things That Can Happen to Careless Children. He has difficulty understanding the death, through illness, of a schoolmate. He is angry because the boy did not do anything wrong to deserve such a fate. The narrator's mother explains that only very occasionally there are illnesses which doctors cannot fix. The book ends with the narrator's mother promising to talk to the teacher, as the teacher did not explain the schoolmate's death very well. This only emphasises the difficulty adults have in explaining death to children.
PEER ILLNESS
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Hilton, Nette, illustrated by Kerry Millard. The Web. Pymble, NSW: Angus and Robertson, 1992.
Australian
Jenny has a special relationship with her great-grandmother, Violet-Anne. At 89 Violet-Anne is slowly losing her memory, but she can still tell Jenny stories of her life. Jenny's parents move Violet-Anne into a home, against Violet-Anne's wishes. Jenny takes Sam, the seven-legged spider, hiding in a box of letters, into Violet-Anne's room. Sam has spun webs that remind Violet-Anne of her past. Violet-Anne dies soon after her arrival in the home, but Sam has spun the best web ever. Jenny saves the web and [w]henever I feel sad I go and look at that web. And remember all the things that Violet-Anne did with me.
GRANDPARENT OLD AGE
Hughes, Monica, illustrated by Luis Garay. A Handful of Seeds. New York: Orchard, 1996.
A gentle story, with hidden depths. It tells the story of Concepcion living in the lessons her grandmother taught her, and how these help her survive in a South American barrio, after her grandmother's death. It also shows the depth of poverty that exists in the barrio. Concepcion finds strength in her belief that "Grandmother was looking down on her from the sky, and that her eyes were no longer misty with age but as bright as the star that shone over the barrio."
GRANDPARENT OLD AGE
Hughes, Shirley. Alfie and the Birthday Surprise. New York, N.Y.: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1997.
One of the very popular Alfie and Annie Rose books, this book tells of the death of the neighbour's cat, Smoky. Smoky and Mr MacNally have always spent time together, and now Mr MacNally is very upset following Smoky's death. For his birthday Alfie's and Mr MacNally's families organise a surprise party, with Mr MacNally's daughter Maureen giving her father a new little kitten. It is emphasised that the family never forgot Smoky.
PET OLD AGE
Huria, Gabrielle, illustrated by Jenny Rendall; Maori by Tahu Potiki; Cultural explanation by Te Maire Tau. The Waka Huia. Christchurch, N.Z.: Ngaï Tahu Development Corporation, 1997.
New Zealand. Also available in a Maori Language Text.
This book details the dream journey of a young boy with his Täua following her death. Täua takes Rakitaunuku to show him the secret reflections of Te Wai Ponamu, following the groves of the waka huia. Through this journey Rakituanuku comes to understand the links between Ngaï Tahu and the land. There is a cultural explanation at the end of the book.GRANDPARENT OLD AGE
Johnson, Patricia Polin, and Donna Reilly Williams, illustrated by Suzanne Schaffhausen. Morgan's Baby Sister: a Read-aloud Book for Families Who Have Experienced the Death of a Newborn. San Jose, Calif.: Resource Publications, 1993.This book is designed for reading aloud and sharing with children. Concepts are aimed at this age group, however the text is longer than they could read for themselves. The book details Morgan and her family's joy and preparations for their new baby, and also their grief when the baby, Marissa, is born prematurely and cannot survive. It includes a memorial service for Marissa.
[Includes notes for Parents]
SIBLING INFANT DEATH
Johnston, Marianne. Let's Talk About When Your Pet Dies. New York, N.Y.: The Rosen Publishing Group, 1997.
A basic text, which details the grief experience when it is about a pet, including having animals, put to sleep. The emotions discussed include: It's Okay to Cry; Blaming Someone also Remembering Your Pet; The Next Pet. Somewhat distracting are the pronunciation guides for some words included in the text.
PET NON-FICTION
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Jordan, MaryKate, illustrated by Judith Friedman. Losing Uncle Tim. Niles, Ill.: A. Whitman, 1989.
Daniel has always been close to his Uncle Tim. But Uncle Tim is dying of AIDS. In his confusion Daniel asks questions about AIDS and the answers are incorporated into the text. Daniel learns to celebrate Uncle Tim's life and to cherish his memories, even thinking of how he can pass on the lessons taught by Uncle Tim.
RELATIVE AIDS
Kaldhol, Marit, illustrated by Wenche Øyen, translated by Michael Crosby-Jones, English adaptation by Catherine Maggs. Goodbye Rune. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 1987.
Sara and Rune are best friends, even though Rune goes to school and Sara is too young. One day Sara and Rune play fishermen, but Rune falls into the water and drowns. The story includes Sara's questioning about Rune and death, and her parents' explanations.
PEER ACCIDENT
Kantrowitz, Mildred, illustrated by Emily A. McCully. When Violet Died. London, U.K.: Bodley Head, 1973.
Violet, Amy and Eva's bird, is old and dies. Amy and Eva organise a funeral service with their friends. Amy is depressed, saying that nothing lasts forever. However, Eva finds a sense of continuity in life, as their cat, Blanche is expecting kittens.
PET OLD AGE
Kroll, Virginia, illustrated by Nancy Cote. Fireflies, Peach Pies & Lullabies. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1995.
A beautiful text, with soft illustrations. The book details Francie's determination to prove that Great-Granny Annabel is more than the "empty shell" she becomes before her death. Francie gets everyone gathered at the funeral home to write down a memory of Great-Granny Annabel, which is read out at the funeral service. When Father John reads the memories out the church was buzzy like a hive full of bees while sweet golden memories spilled over the pews and into the aisles. As Father John says "What a celebration of life!"
GRANDPARENT OLD AGE
Lee, Virginia, illustrated by Richard Cuffari. The Magic Moth. Harmondsworth, U.K.: Longman Young Books, 1972.A slightly dated book, but the lessons learned transcend the barriers of time. Maryanne, the middle of five children, has a heart defect and has been ill for a long time. She has been close to the youngest child, Mark-O, but is now too sick to tell him stories. When Maryanne dies the family is around her, and a moth hatches in her room at the exact moment of death. Mark-O thinks that the moth could be related to the death and draws a picture of the magic moth for the family to remember Maryanne. Mark-O and his mother talk about why Maryanne was born and the lessons she passed on.
SIBLING ILLNESS
Levete, Sarah. When People Die (How Do I Feel About Series). London, U.K.: Franklin Watts, 1997.
This book uses case studies and sidebar interviews with young children to discuss the points and issues raised. It also discusses, albeit briefly, different beliefs on the afterlife. It is very basic, but provides a good starting point. On that basis it means that it is more accessible to a younger age group. It includes chapters on: What is dying?; Why do People Die?; What Happens After Death?; What Happens When Someone Dies?; How do You Feel?; Learning to Cope; Don't Forget.
NON-FICTION
Lucas, Helen, illustrated by Naomi C. Lewis. A New Star. Sydney, N.S.W.: Random House, 1996.
Australian
This book deals with possibly the hardest death of all represented: the cot death of a little sister. The book begins with memories of baby Tanya, showing the close bond within the family, and the integral part Tanya played in the family, however young she was. The family grieves together after Tanya's death at a few months old. Tanya is the new star of the title, twinkling down upon her family, while her body lies in the ground surrounded by special things. This is a beautiful book
SIBLING INFANT DEATH
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