Death & Dying
Badger’s Parting Gifts, Susan Varley
Warm and sensitive illustrations reflect the hopeful mood of this tale about woodland animals learning to accept their friend Badger's death. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--
Lifetimes, Brian Mellonie
A pet . . . a friend . . . or a relative dies, and it must be explained to a child. This sensitive book is a useful tool in explaining to children that death is a part of life and that, eventually, all living things reach the end of their own special lifetimes.
--
Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Judith Viorst
My cat Barney died this Friday. I was very sad. My mother said we could have a funeral for him, and I should think of ten good things about Barney so I could tell them... But the small boy who loved Barney can only think of nine. Later, while talking with his father, he discovers the tenth -- and begins to understand.
--
What On Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? by Trevor Romain
Trevor talks directly to kids about what death means and how to cope. He asks the kinds of questions kids have about death—Why? How? What next? Is it my fault? What’s a funeral?—in basic, straightforward terms. He describes and discusses the overwhelming emotions involved in grieving—sadness, fear, anger, guilt—and offers practical strategies for dealing with them. He also suggests meaningful ways to remember and honor the person who has died.
--
25 Things to Do When Grandpa Passes Away, Mom and Dad Get Divorced, or the Dog Dies: Activities to Help Children Suffering Loss or Change, by Laurie KanyerKids experience all sorts of grief and loss---a death in the family, a divorce, an unexpected move, the loss of a pet. They need ways to acknowledge these losses and they need to be able to express their grief in physical ways. Some children need the activities we consider traditional: they conduct ceremonies or write letters to the people they have lost. Other children, overflowing with the anger that is a natural part of grief, need to pound, punch, run and jump. Still others want to express their grief through art.
Written by Laurie Kanyers, M.A., whose research and clinical experience has focused on how children cope when they must deal with change, loss and death, "25 Things to Do..." explains the grieving process. It provides dozens of activities that help bereaved children. Kanyer explains the value of each activity so that parents and caregivers can select appropriate projects based on the child's age, kind of loss and stage in the grieving process. She also discusses how learning about grief prepares children for new relationships and to accept losses later in life.
--
OLDER KIDS
A Taste of Blackberries, Doris Buchanan Smith
Jamie isn't afraid of anything. Always ready to get into trouble, then right back out of it, he's a fun and exasperating best friend.But when something terrible happens to Jamie, his best friend has to face the tragedy alone. Without Jamie, there are so many impossible questions to answer -- how can your best friend be gone forever? How can some things, like playing games in the sun or the taste of the blackberries that Jamie loved, go on without him? Ages 7-10
--
Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson
Paterson's Newbery-winning novel becomes an entertaining and dramatic audiobook via Leonard's accomplished reading. Jess Aarons is eager to start fifth grade. He's been practicing his sprints all summer, determined to become the fastest runner at school. All seems to be on track, until the new girl in class (who also happens to be Jess's new next-door neighbor), Leslie Burke, leaves all the boys in the dust, including Jess. After this rather frustrating introduction, Jess and Leslie soon become inseparable. Together, they create an imaginary, secret kingdom in the woods called Terabithia that can be reached only by swinging across a creek bed on a rope. But one morning a tragic accident befalls Leslie as she ventures alone to Terabithia, and Jess's life is changed forever. Leonard deftly interprets the strands of humor, realism and heart-wrenching emotion woven into Paterson's fine tale. His careful and authentic handling of Jess's anger and grief in the aftermath of the accident is sure to touch listeners. Contemporary instrumental interludes featuring guitar, piano and drums signal the beginning and end of each tape side. Ages 9-up.