When Someone Very Special Dies[Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief] [WHEN SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL DIES] [Paperback]

by MargeEatonHeegaard

When Someone Very Special Dies[Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief] [WHEN SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL DIES] [Paperback]

Genres: Grief, Death, Childrens, Parenting, Counselling, Emotion, Picture Books

Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Books Ring Mah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this while looking for another book on grief for my 3 year old. While this one may be a bit "beyond" him, I'd suggest it for any older child dealing with loss.

3 things I liked about this book:

1. It's in a workbook form, allowing guided drawing as the child reads along. (therapeutic!)

2. A few pages talk about all the different reasons why people die. Whatever you said did not cause the death... Let's face it, young children are sure their words and actions have serious power. (reassuring!)

3. The topic of souls and spirits... "Some people believe their soul goes to heaven. Some think they go on to live in another creature. What do you believe? Draw it here." (perfect!)

It also states we do not know a lot about death, which I could take issue with. We rot. But, I suppose that's not comforting for a kid.

In all seriousness, a wonderful book to help at a difficult time.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a therapist I'm often looking for books that will be helpful for my clients. This was recommended by a colleague. I like that it's an activity book with opportunities to draw, color, and explore various thoughts and emotions. It does a good job explaining what grief is and allowing space for the person to explore their positive and challenging emotions. Good for younger kids (ages 5-8 or 9) and those on that intellectual level.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was purchased for my son. Our daughter died Nov 4, 2016 and this book helped him (he is 5, 4 when she was killed) process some emotions. It is kind of like a coloring book and a fill in the blank type book. I really liked that it could be personalized and it is something he can reflect back on as the years continue to go by. I felt it was thought provoking and dug in a little for me as well.

[Jona (w/out an 'h') · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marge Eaton Heegaard is a gifted psychotherapist. Her work on grief issues is a contribution to the resiliency of the human spirit. If you know of a child which someone very special has died, share this book with the child.

[Alissa Peanasky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides a structure for conversation with tips for adults.

[Guthrie Veech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the day we travel to Grayson. Just read this children’s book. VERY GOOD except maybe one page. Blessing!

[Haleigh Calhoun]

I chose to read this book for a few reasons. For starters, my Dad recently died. I am just now at a point in my life where I can begin to pick out books like these in order to do a part of grieving. This book is an interactive book, pages to color, places to write how you feel, and why things happens. There are plenty of pages with things about death and pages in which someone can write about what they know about death. It is a children's book, but I can say from experience that I would use this book for myself. This book can be to recognize how a child, or anyone, feels and having them acknowledge those feelings. Whatever age, it is good to be able to express yourself. I would highly recommend this book for a hospital, since I will be working with children that can be in this setting, it would be positive to have this book on hand.

[Kathryn Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal when dealing with many different emotions. It specializes in how children can feel when dealing with death of a loved one, but also goes into many more emotions such as happiness, love, who loves them personally, how the child might feel, and the things they can do to deal with their emotions. It is an interactive book where students can color the pages themselves and write about how the feel. I also can see the book already filled out by a previous student that dealt with death; being using as an example of how other students might feel about death and if they can relate. In general a great book to help any child deal with emotions.

[Arin Brutlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is intended as a workbook for children ages 6-12 to work out their feelings about death and loss through drawings. There are six sections: 1) Change is a Part of Life, 2) Dead is the End of Living, 3) Living Means Feeling, 4) Feeling Better, 5) Sharing Memories, and 6) I’m Special Too. Each page gives a drawing prompt and affirmation; most pages are blank apart from a few words, to allow for maximum drawing space. The language used is direct and easy to understand without being oversimplified. 32 pages.

Resources: There is a note to adults as well as an “about the book” section that gives recommendations for use and additional readings for each chapter.

[Megan Breslow · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book. It would be a good gift for a child who has lost someone and is not ready to talk about it. You color pictures and draw how you are feeling. I really did not like some of the descriptions of death they seem a little harsh for a child.

[Sam Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though i would never read this aloud to my class, this is an excellent book to let a child read who has lost someone special because it explains the feelings that someone will have when someone dies. Great at explaining grief and cope and change.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teaches children that death is a natural process and that it's ok to be sad about death. Allow the students to draw and write out their feelings about a recent and certain traumatic death. Best for school councilors or if a student may need some copping time.

[Olivia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can help students deal with death. It gives them the chance to interact with the book by writing,coloring, and expressing oneself. The book can also help with learning about life: the cycle of it, the important things, and how to deal with it.

[Jasmin Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to teach children about death. It explains what happens when someone special dies, this also talks about when pets pass away. The book is designed for ages 6-12. Children can draw pictures to express their feelings.

[Sara Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

For helping children cope with grief

[Christie Suh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good interactive book to help a child deal with a death.

[Lucia Benzor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't understand the purpose. Very boring. Seemed like a wordbook almost. Not a book. Too wordy for kids that aren't or haven't been in that position.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good for helping students cope with death and showing different ways for doing it. It highlights the importance of communication when dealing with hard circumstances.

[Takeisha Hannor · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book to help children learn how to cope with grief. It includes coloring, talks about change, and shows different facial expressions.

[Morgan Wright]

Amazing book that a child could personalize about the person they lost. Could help a student begin talking and sharing about the person they lost.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is meant to be used after a death of someone special, not a general introduction to death. As such it is a simple, interactive and private way to sit with grief for a child.

[Denise Mast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good resource for children who have suffered a significant loss.