Children books to help them cope . . . (ANOTHER question, bottom pg 1)

[Mickey's sunshine]

with death. Does anyone know of some good books that I can get for Tracy's 2 boys? (here is a link for that thread, click here )

Chrissi and I were thinking of picking up a book or two that she can read to her boys to help prepare them for when she will be gone. We have both done searches on the net and will go shopping tomorrow.

I just wondered if anyone has read and or knows of anyone who has. Thanks for any and all info!!

 

[believe]

I don't have any specific names, but the major bookstores around here have books classified very well and I think you would be able to find one just by asking a worker at the store. If I come up with a book I will let you know.

 

[Cindy B]

Ironic as it sounds, Fred Rogers wrote some wonderful books on death, divorce, and other issues. They were written on a childs level.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Please go to your local public library children's dept. There are lots of books out there dealing with this subject written on a child's level.

 

[dianeschlicht]

There is a great one called, "The Next Place" It is written by Warren Hanson. It is also beautifully illustrated. I usually give this not only to children, but also to the elderly.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Fall of Freddy the leaf. Talks about Freddy the leaf and his life cycle. It was written for kids, but you know what, I found it very comforting to me as well. I think it is by Leo Buscalia but I'm not sure.

The other one I have seen in the stores is something called "What is heaven" by Maria Shriver I believe.

And I bet if you called the Cancer society they might have some good information to help the boys as they prepare for this very sad time.

Thanks for thinking of the boys and trying to help them.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I am not positive about the title, but I think it is called "Ten Good Things About Leo". Basically about anger and sadness over death and how remembering 10 good things about Leo helps to deal with the death.

 

[December99]

When my mom passed away, my dd's godmother gave her the Maria Shriver book and I had seen her on Oprah talking about the book - it is an excellent book!

She also received a couple of others but I don't know the names right off the bat - I will try to remember to look for them this weekend and let you know.

 

[MerryPoppins]

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf is my personal favorite, for adults and children who can sit through a longer book.

If I Should Die If I Should Live by Joanne Marxhausen
This one is a picture book that I used with my kids when their great-grandmother died.

What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? by Trevor Romain
Very good.

I have a list of books that I've heard help kids deal with death. Go look them up on Amazon.com and read reviews to see which ones might work for the children you are dealing with.

Tear Soup by Pat Schweibert

Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope When a Special Person Dies by Janis Silverman

Water Bugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Children by Doris Stickney

Sad Isn't Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss by Michaelene Mundy

 

[MerryPoppins]

I just had a thought, sometimes Amazon also links a couple of books on the same subject together to save you money. You might want to look into shopping there if you can find a deal on two that interest you.

 

[MosMom]

We own "When Dinosaurs Die" by Marc Brown who does Arthur. It is a really good book about death & dying. It covers different beliefs about where you go after you die as well. If the boys like Arthur they might enjoy this book. Here is the link to it at Amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...103-9318494-6565469?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by MerryPoppins
What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? by Trevor Romain
Very good.

Trevor Romain did a tour of DD's school and had a book signing. We bought this book among others, for 'just in case'. It is a good book.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

<b>Thank you all so very much!!</b>

We will probably do the shopping tomorrow. This will help us get started!

Now I have another question - how should we approach Tracy with these books? I dont want her to feel bad but I dont know how else to help.

 

[swanmom]

"Waiting for the Whales" - a warm, wonderful book about a girl who continues the tradition of whale watching like she used to do with her grandfather each summer.

 

[MerryPoppins]

You know, Tracy will probably be searching for ways to help her children through this time. I would think she would welcome your thoughtful help. Maybe you could put them in a basket with something for that is just for her. Something that she likes and would be able to enjoy. A Yankee Candle or good smelling lotion or something like that. Just to show her that you care about her too? I'd approach it as a gift to her to help in the coming weeks.

 

[December99]

Christine - there are also books out there for helping adults deal with the reality of death and coping. Perhaps you could find something for her too. I know it's a very hard subject, but sometimes just letting ones soul start to "heal" with the reality makes for lifes decisions along the way much easier!

When you take the books over, sit with her and her girlfriend together, tell her you are not trying to intrude in anyway but you are trying to make this horrible transition a bit easier for the kids and for her and her girlfriend. We had a parent from our school pass away a few years ago - she was such a remarkable person - when the time came, she sat with her kids and told them she was not scared and they should not be. She had a very strong belief in God and the afterlife and that her soul would remain with her kids for the rest of their lives. This is something that Tracy is going to probably need to do with her kids soon. But in order to do that, she also has to be prepared and ready herself and be satisfied (not that you really can be) that her leaving, there will be a whole chunk of her soul that will remain forever with her kids and her girlfriend and no matter what - their lives MUST go on and they must become happy and love life as you never know when it will not here! THAT my friend, is something that I have learned in the past year - and it was oh so very hard - but if you sit and think about what is going to happen and the sorrow behind it all - it makes enjoying life so hard later!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Excellent advice!

 

[Robinrs]

What Dec99 said...

God bless you girls for caring so much. So many people who don't know what to do do NOTHING. You guys are being true friends.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Thank you Chris!! You too Robin.