Book Review: When Someone Dies: A Children’s Mindful How-To Guide on Grief and Loss
Andrea Dorn’s book, ” When Someone Dies: A Children’s Mindful How-To Guide on Grief and Loss,” is designed as a process story as part of The Mindful Steps Series. The book teaches new concepts to children in a concrete way and allows them to process their feelings.
The reader is introduced to the concept of grief and many of the feelings associated with grief. Simple coping strategies are offered. Each page offers a prompt to parents of a relevant open-ended question to ask their child to encourage open expression of their feelings.
While other children’s books about loss tell a story, this book is primarily instructional and assumes a parent or caregiver is leading the activity. Illustrations are used to convey the concepts. Some pages include lengthy text that may impede young readers from reading the entire book in one setting. The book can be read in parts rather than whole and still be helpful.
The child learns what to expect with grief and is left feeling optimistic about their ability to cope with loss into the future. The author provides mindfulness exercises, definitions, feeling charts, and notes to parents, caregivers and professionals. These helpful references extend learning opportunities beyond the book itself. This book is best suited to children ages 6-8. It is highly recommended as a therapeutic tool for bereavement and mental health professionals.
Pathways of HopeSM Grief Counseling Centers
Ohio’s Hospice offers grief and bereavement support through our Pathways of HopeSM Grief Counseling Centers, which provide a variety of services to the communities we serve. Support and education are provided by a team of counselors and social workers, all with significant experience and expertise in assisting grieving children, adolescents and adults. For more information about Pathways of Hope, click here.
