"Papa" as he is affectionately known to my 2 girls, has recently been given a terminal diagnosis. Since his immune system is so compromised they haven't seen him in weeks. As a former medical and school social worker myself, I have a long list of children's books that deal with serious illness/death of a grandparent. I'd like to begin my search for the "right" book(s) with those that are personally recommended so when the time comes I am prepared. I welcome your recommendations. Thanks a bunch!
I'm sorry I don't have a book recommendation but I'm especially sorry for your loss. Your daughters are lucky to have such a devoted mom.
I am so very sorry to hear this. A book about loss that we have enjoyed is "angel wings". It is about a cat who loses his nine lives in search for his beloved owner. It is not specific to a grandparent, but can be used to start the conversation about what is coming. Best of luck and strength to you.
I'm so sorry to hear this. It is a very hard thing to deal with. I don't have any book ideas but I found that having honest conversations with my 3 1/2 year old about what happened to grandpa really helped. We lost my father-in-law last summer and we were all very close to him. She still talks about him and we talk about how people live in your hearts forever even when their bodies stop working.
Expect a lot of questions about death and what it means.
Michelle,
We have lost 4 close relatives within 14 months and my son was 6 and my daughter was 3. The book that my son understood and enjoyed the most was suggested by a Hospice worker. It's "When Dinosaurs Die" by Marc Brown - the author of the Arthur books. I also enjoyed Maria Shriver's book, "What is Heaven." I found both at Barnes and Noble. I also have a long list of books from my teaching years, but found these the most appropriate. Good for you for helping your children deal with this loss.
In the past 2 years our family has lost 3 people that our kids were very close to, 2 great grandma's and one cousin. It was a very rough time for all of us. We also used books to help our kids through. My older daughter (almost 9) still reads and uses them somewhat often. The first book is called Sad Isn't Bad by Michaelene Mundy. The other book we purchased is called When SOmeone Very Special Dies by Marge Heegaard, this book is more like a "workbook" It allows the kids to draw pictures that correlate with their feelings. I would recommend each of these. I do have to say that the laughter your children bring you each day will help you work through your grief as well!
