Il faut qu'on parle de la mort: Un livre important sur le deuil, les célébrations et l'amour

by Sarah Chavez, Annika Le Large (illustrator)

An educational book that helps grieving children understand what happens when we die, and celebrates the traditions people around the world use to honor the dead.

Death is an important part of life, and yet it is one of the hardest things to talk about―for adults as well as children. Historian and museum curator Sarah Chavez is determined to create a book that sparks wonder and curiosity about dying, instead of fear and shame.

In this informative book, illustrated by Annika Le Large, children will marvel at the flowers different cultures use to represent death. They will find out about eco-friendly burials, learn how to wrap a mummy, and go beneath the streets of Paris to witness skull-lined catacombs! Readers will also ride a buffalo alongside Yama, the Hindu god of death, come face-to-face with the terracotta army a Chinese emperor built to escort him to the afterlife, and party in the streets to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Grief, Death, Middle Grade

64 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2024

About the author

Sarah Chavez is a historian, museum curator, and podcaster who has also worked on the popular YouTube series Ask a Mortician. She is one of the founders of the Death Positive movement, which wants to encourage a more open conversation about death. As the executive director of the “Order of the Good Death,” a founding member of “The Collective for Radical Death Studies”, and co-founder of feminist site “Death & the Maiden,” Sarah’s multifaceted approach to observing and honoring this process is unparalleled; her work weaves together the relationship between death and food, rituals, culture, and society, which she also shares on her blog “Nourishing Death.”

Reviews

[Alynda Worrell-Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good starter for kids/preteens. My only complaint is that I'm not really sure how they chose to arrange topics. The ending felt very abrupt, and I wish they had circled back to the psychosocial or spiritual aspects of grief instead of ending on "necrotech". I was genuinely surprised when I turned the page and saw the glossary. But still, lots of good, calm descriptions of what happens to bodies after death, what various religions and cultures believe about the afterlife, and lots of ideas on how to remember the deceased.

[Ms. Alicia]

Less about grief and more of a litany of rites and rituals from around the world. I listened to the audio & definitely would like to look at a copy of the physical book.

[Rin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to extend my gratitude to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an early listen to this title as an audiobook.

As someone whom worked with grief in animal hospitals and having experienced the grief of losing friends and family this title was a gentle introduction to the concepts and feelings surrounding death. My interest in this title comes as I begin to be aware that I will soon have to explain death to my own child when our pets or family members come to pass. We need to talk about death, truly was a gentle experience, the calming piano music accompanying the narration was helpful for setting the tone to a light and bright feeling rather than dark and sad as many would associate with discussion of death. I appreciate the scientific details and easy explanation of such. I feel this is appropriate for children to explain the how’s of death. The spiritual aspects of this text are open ended allowing it to conform to many cultures. I feel this text will allow many families to learn about death in a neutral way without fear, holding facts at the forefront. The audiobook version of this title was easy to listen too and rather captivating with the background music. Recommend for children 5 and up with parents presence, discretion, and availability for discussion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listend to the audio version of this which I am unable to find here on GR, and found the content to be excellent. The book explains how to appropriately discuss feelings and grief and discusses the way different cultures celebrate and honor deaths. It also delves into historic burials and death (such as ancient Egyptian mummification) and modern burial options.

The narrators' voice was calm and comforting and was a wonderful and appropriate choice for this reading. However, there was music that played in the background for the entire book, and for me that was very distracting.

I think this is a great book for children to listen to as they work through questions and worries about life, death, grief, and funerals.

Thank you to Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for this ARC. All of my opinions are my own.

[Debra Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am looking for a book that demystifies death for tweens and young teens, but I don't think this one is it. I do like the scientific part of it but I'm not sure all the parts of the book are engaging, and the ending is abrupt. I'll keep looking.

[Ann]

A nice little introduction to the topic, but I was kind of wishing for something deeper, more substantial. Or at the very least, I'd like to see a "further reading" page to send a curious reader down a rabbit hole.

[Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a a very an informative (and easy to listen to) short audiobook about death and grief across cultures.
I have spoken a lot about death and grief with my kids since my mom died in 2021 and will absolutely be listening to this with them sometime this year.

[Tai Temitope · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review is about the audiobook. I was finally able to finish listening to this book. I was not a fan of the narrator for the audiobook. Because of how it was read it made it a harder listen to me. And it took a lot longer to listen because of that voice. It was like a preschool teacher, who was trying to talk about a sensitive subject, but the voice was overkill for me.

Listening to the book, there were some things that I learned that I wasn’t aware of. Like the reason that ghosts are depicted with white sheets being because of the shroud that humans used to bury their dead in. I liked the book, it was informative, but it seemed more like an encyclopedic dictionary about death. And age wise, I’m unsure of who the target audience is. Initially I thought younger kids, but some of the language and summaries would give my 6 & 8 year olds nightmares, considering their imagination. I would have liked a precursor to this book for children of a certain age. Maybe I would feel differently had I read a print copy of the book, and was able to see how the book was sectioned.

It’s not a book I would rush out to get for my school aged kids to understand death. I don’t feel like this would be the kid friendly version, I’d like to see with most of the same information in it. For me this could have been fleshed out more, maybe been made into a series of shorter books, and broken into the different topics that were discussed. It is a book that goes thoroughly through the aesthetics of death, how it’s celebrated and the history and stores behind monuments and plot markers, the effect on the environment and stuff. I had expectations, they weren’t met with this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan for allowing me to read this audiobook. This is my opinion, check the book out yourself, you may love it and feel much differently than I. I’m a stickler for voices, especially when listening to books, and this voice turned me off, which affected my experience with the book.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Need to Talk About Death: An IMPORTANT Book About Grief, Celebrations, and Love
by Sarah Chavez


the audible version of this is beautiful and comforting. The voice of the reader makes it a soothing conversation about many historic and modern burials and funerals, and death. The book shows that the fear of the death is accentuated in modern times because of the change of funerals, and modern methods of separating life from death. It celebrates cultural events around death all around the world. The book focuses more on how you can understand your feelings, express your grief. The book makes a point on showing the loss and how we continue after the death of others. The book is embracing all the different ideas, cultural practices over the entire human history.
Unfortunately a needed text in schools. I think the councilor having this in book and audio form would help children face grief.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this would be a really good book for school libraries and counselors. i didn't find the audiobook that useful--i could absolutely imagine the kids who would benefit from this, but for me, because it's so many short facts, i didn't find it helpful in audio form, and i found the music in the background very overstimulating. i really want this book accessible to kids, though.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really impressed me. Sarah Chavez takes the reader on a journey; a journey that looks at how different cultures through the ages have dealt with death. As you read the book it becomes clear to you that death is a part of life; a part that we will all have to face one day. This book may be of particular interest to parents trying to explain the death of a family member to a child.

[Corrin V · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing book discussing a topic that is almost taboo for many. The traditions and celebrations from many different cultures is represented. This book is appropriate for any age of child who is having questions or wondering about death.

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd recommend this to young adults or adults curious about death. The information isn't overwhelming. I learned many different facts about practices throughout the world.

[karebear · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so beautiful I would consider buying it for my own collection

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

This book was lovely!
It shows the natural beauty of death, and how people from a variety of cultures and countries cope with it.

My only issue was the organization; I wish things had been ordered differently and perhaps there could be a conclusion page - the ending felt jarring and I found myself flipping through the back few pages thinking I missed something.

Overall, highly recommended.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Need to Talk About Death: An IMPORTANT Book About Grief, Celebrations, and Love
by Sarah Chavez
Published March 5, 2024


The was so well done and I think this can benefit folks of all ages. The piano accompaniment allows the topic to flow like the Circle of Life Stage that its intended to be. The Death Buddy Idea... In theory it makes sense but I am not sure if anyone would want to sign up for such a relationship. I would like to see how that would be actually done. Overall, its a lovely book and a quick read with enough wonderment to motivate further research. I really enjoyed it. #NetGalley



Death is an important part of life, and yet it is one of the hardest things to talk about—for adults as well as children. Historian and museum curator Sarah Chavez is determined to create a book that sparks wonder and curiosity about dying, instead of fear and shame. In this informative book, illustrated by Annika Le Large, children will marvel at the flowers different cultures use to represent death. They will find out about eco-friendly burials, learn how to wrap a mummy, and go beneath the streets of Paris to witness skull-lined catacombs! Readers will also ride a buffalo alongside Yama, the Hindu god of death, come face-to-face with the terracotta army a Chinese emperor built to escort him to the afterlife, and party in the streets to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Through these examples Sarah Chavez showcases the amazing ways humans have always revered those who have died. Full of practical tips, this book won’t stop the pain of losing a loved one or a pet, but it may give young readers ideas for different ways they can celebrate those who have passed away, and help begin the healing process.
Kindle Edition