Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Death and grief

Book SynopsisA book to help children and families cope with the loss of a baby. Matthew is excited about the new baby. But then, one day, something very sad happens. The doctor tells Matthew's mother that her baby isn't growing properly and it won't be strong enough to live outside her body. Matthew and his mother and father will always remember their baby. But as time goes by, they will not feel sad so often. The author wrote this story based on her own experience, to help her son cope with the loss of a baby. This child-centred book is intended to help children and families who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, perinatal death or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). A new edition of the first published book by Siobhán Parkinson, who later became Ireland's first Laureate na nÓg (Children's Laureate). It was writing this book that Parkinson found her voice as a children's writer, a gift she credits to the baby she lost all those years ago.Trade Review‘Anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby; who is experiencing the loss of a baby will find solace in its pages.’ -- Mary Esther Judy * Fallen Star Stories *

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Book SynopsisA BIG ISSUE BOOK OF THE YEAR This beautifully written rhyming text, matched with exquisite illustrations, explores love, loss, memory, and the power objects can hold. Arno had a horse, it was brown and it was black. He took it with him everywhere, but did he bring it back? When Arno loses his precious toy horse, all the kids in town help him to look for it. They look everywhere, but will Arno ever see his horse again? A touching story about loss, memory, and the mysterious ways we feel connected to those we love.Trade Review‘Besides offering an Australian setting and suggesting the boy's powerful connection with his grandfather, the book communicates a strong sense that something magical has happened … [T]he inviting artwork, created with watercolours, gouache, and coloured pencils, uses repeated lines and forms to echo the rhythm of the verse text … An appealing addition to picture-book collections.’ * Booklist *‘Beautifully written with a rhyming text, matched with exquisite illustrations, Arno and His Horse deftly explore the themes of love, memory, loss and the power objects can hold -- making it a unique, entertaining, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-6.’ * Midwest Book Review *‘A story of loss and also of the things we keep. Memories, mementos… This is a lovely, rhyming book that never explicitly shows the grandfather dying, and in fact, the grandfather could be absent for other reasons, though there’s a sense of loss that permeates the text, and of finding what we lose. My daughter connects to the idea of losing a lovey or a toy and trying to find it.’ * Baby Librarians *‘A beautiful story to help littles navigate loss and grief, while sharing with them the power of memories.’ * Mai Story Book Library *‘A beautifully written rhyming text, matched with exquisite illustrations, that explores love, memory, loss and the power objects can hold.’ * Nanny Miss Monique *‘[R]ich, earth-toned gouache and watercolour illustrations highlight the beauty of the Australian bush and Arno's loving community… [R]eaders who are grieving the loss of a family member may take comfort in this loving story.’ * Youth Services Book Review *‘When Arno loses his wooden horse, everyone helps hunt for the small carving....[Grandpa] is introduced as the now-deceased carver of the horse. That’s what makes it special. After Arno dreams about his grandpa, he knows where to find the horse...Grandpa is seen fording the river, both in Arno’s memory of his grandfather’s stories and in his dream. Does it matter? The book’s emphasis on the relationship between the older man and the young boy is comforting.’ * Kirkus *‘Wide landscapes help to illustrate happy days past and present in this story about the sweetness of remembrance.’ * Foreword Reviews *‘A poignant and heartwarming tale about one boy remembering and cherishing his lost grandfather. One of our favourites published this year.’ * Books for Diversity & Avery & Augustine *‘[T]he most beautiful new release that is all about loss as well as holding on to what you treasure...Plus, the illustrations couldn’t be lovelier!’ * Book Nerd Mommy *‘This gentle story is beautifully illustrated, and the landscapes that illustrator Felicita Sala has created are beyond dreamy … a great tale for explaining grief.’ * The Tiny Activist *‘An endearing combination of an old-fashioned search story and a more profound consideration of how objects become connected to cherished memories … Don’t be surprised if your voice cracks the first time you share it with your little one.’ -- Jane Graham * Big Issue *‘[A] sweet story about love and loss - as well as our precious memories and how important mementos can be. It’s a very effective vehicle for talking about the people we miss, and it’s visually stunning as well.’ * Dad Suggests *‘A wooden horse, worn smooth with love and the memories of the grandfather who carved it is the guiding force in this gentle reflective book. Through thoughtful verse and a landscape rich with play, Arno and his friends search for the horse that has lost its way. Memories of grandfather and the love this wooden horse holds, guides it back to Arno and to home.’ -- Jesica Sweedler DeHart, librarian at Neill Public Library‘Arno and his Horse explores the role objects play in evoking memories and connecting people gently and powerfully. The artwork, which renders the Australian landscape so effectively, is full of contrasts between cool greens and deep oranges, curves and straight lines; it provides wonderful opportunities to explore the spectrum of feelings surrounding loss that includes those positive emotions such as love and attachment.’ -- Viv Young * Picture Book Parents *‘Reassuring and rhyming, this book gently connects us to those we love even if we are physically apart.’ * The School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisTen-year-old Isla has moved from Edinburgh to the Orkney Islands with her parents, to start a new life after the death of Isla's beloved young brother. Isla's mother's family is from Orkney and her father's is from Africa, and she finds island life is very different to her former city home. Her discovery of the old Orcadian legend about the selkies, half human, half seal people, becomes the key to adjustment and acceptance. Many strands are woven into this deceptively simple story – loss and discovery, legend and reality, the pleasures and problems of settling into a new place, the need to make new friends, the coming to terms with sadness. Jane Ray's illustrations capture the beauty of the island landscape and integrate it perfectly with the atmosphere and rich texture of the storytelling. Endorsed by Amnesty International for illuminating the human rights values of family, friends, home, safety and refuge.Trade Review"A dreamy, lyrical meditation on death, family and finding comfort in nature in which Brahmachari uses folklore to explore how letting go is not the same as saying goodbye." * Children's Books Ireland *"A very special book, a collaboration between two children’s book creators at the height of their powers. Its format is unusual but very pleasing, one that it would be lovely to see more frequently. It is simple in the telling but deals with complex emotions: bereavement, sadness, displacement, legend. The sense of a life lived at the edge of the land and of the healing power of the sea is what really endeared the book to me. This is beautifully captured in the delicate watercolour illustrations, the wonderful cover and the endpapers." -- Pam Dix * Books for Keeps Books of the Year 2019 *"An enjoyable, thought-provoking read for children as well as being a visual treat." * Love My Books *"A tale lyrically told, dressed in sublime illustrations that brilliantly depict the fragility and beauty of life, lost in landscape where myth and sea converge." * Kirkus Reviews Starred Review *"A touching and sensitive exploration of the challenges of a family coming to terms with the upheaval caused by the loss of the youngest child told through the perspective of the sibling. The words and illustrations weave seamlessly and beautifully together to bring the world of this family to life connecting the reader to the pain of their present and the hopes for their future. There is a real magical quality to this book stemming from the synergy between Brahmachari and Ray." -- Farrah Serroukh * CLPE - 10 of the Best starring children from BAME backgrounds *"An excellent book for adult refugees learning English to read, in spite of having been written for children. It has a number of themes which touch a chord with them, for example, being an outsider, loss, diverse ethnicity, a family healing through story telling. The beautiful illustrations describe the seascape so vividly and incorporate a range of emotions in the family members dealing with grief in a new environment. Everyone enjoyed the close link between the writing and the illustrations. The book provoked lively discussions each week when we read it together. It also proved to be a good source of new vocabulary and phrases." * Islington Refugee Centre *"Touching and sensitive...There is a real magical quality to this book stemming from the synergy between Brahmachari and Ray." * Books for Keeps *"A beautiful collaboration between an author and illustrator, who have both been involved in their local centre for refugees and migrants, which brings together themes of loss and new beginnings, friendship and cultural heritage." -- Ann Lazim * CLPE Books of the Year *"Enchanting and mysterious...There are many strands to the story – coping with death, letting go of a loved one, local legends, poetry, starting a new school, making friends, being a dual-heritage family, and rediscovering a lost community. All the elements are brought together by the gorgeous illustrations, and you find yourself immersed in the poetry of the selkie legends, which help Isla accept the loss of her brother and settle into a new friendship." * Juno *"From the stunning cover, to the profoundly telling endpapers, and then slowly through the careful use of picture, symbol and space, this is an especially crafted, especially beautiful dance of word and image. I am not going to go into specific detail. The book needs to be experienced as an unfolding whole. We also have the rich thematic elements. Amnesty International have endorsed the book for illuminating the human rights values of family, friends home, safety and refuge. That is a very fair and accurate summary of much of the books deeper content. To this I would add the power of storytelling and myth, and how this intertwines with our sense of home and the space around us. Not to mention the role of dreams in sorting out the impossible-to-sort-out…." -- Martin Galway (Teaching and Learning Adviser for Herts for Learning) * Just Imagine *"This is a treasure of a book that deserves a wide audience and at the right time, could help grieving families come to terms with their own loss." * Red Reading Hub *"A complex and thoughtful story, handling many issues in a relatively brief text. The author has interwoven the strands skilfully and compassionately, bringing us a book that appeals for many different reasons. Ultimately, it is about learning to handle grief, with help from others. Jane Ray's sensitive and beautiful illustrations capture the emotion of the story and show readers the beauty of the Orkney Islands, through rich colour and emotive portrayals." * Parents in Touch *"A moving and beautifully written story about grief and coping with change. The illustrations perfectly complement the text, evoking both the island setting and the dreamlike sequences beautifully." * Books for Keeps 5 star review *"Many strands are woven into this deceptively simple story - loss and discovery, legend and reality, the pleasures and problems of settling into a new place, the need to make new friends, the coming to terms with sadness...this is a heartfelt and often emotional read." * Read it, Daddy! *"Sensitive, sad and ultimately uplifting, this short tale of a family dealing with the loss of a child is deeply affecting. Brahmachari always writes with tenderness and awareness about how global and personal difficulties affect children, and Jane Ray's soft wash illustrations hold the space beautifully for this quiet story of transformation and healing." * Booktrust - Books we Love *"A magical tale that will bring comfort to its young readers." -- Sarah Crossan"A warmly compassionate, exquisitely beautiful story of love and loss, old tales and new beginnings." -- Kate Agnew"Award-winning Sita Brahmachari has written a beautiful tale for children that explores loss and discovery, legend and reality, settling into a new place, and the coming to terms with sadness... Endorsed by Amnesty International for illuminating the human rights values of family, friends, home, safety and refuge, and beautifully illustrated by Jane Ray, this a book that will stay with readers young and old." * Books from Scotland *"A unique and uplifting modern fable told through a combination of short chapters, dialogue and poetry, all adorned throughout by stunningly evocative illustrations by Jane Ray. A treasure to read and behold. Corey’s Rock explores themes of refugees, family and acceptance with great sensitivity. Highly recommended." * School Reading List: February 2023 Book Club Picks *"Layers and currents of emotion course out of a surprisingly sparse text. We especially appreciated how Isla's father manages to be honest with her about his sadness while still wrapping her up in his warm, protective bulk. The pain of bereavement is softened by the comforting repetition of symbols, the embrace of Ray's ruby-rich and light-diffused illustrations and the graceful arc of healing which drapes over the narrative." * Letterbox Library *"Corey’s Rock is a lyrical, beautifully illustrated tale of love and loss. The poetic text is simple and impactful, telling a story of healing and hope that will resonate with young readers who have lost someone they love. The short, accessible nature of the book will appeal to a wide readership and its message of hope and rebirth will provide much to discuss. Corey’s Rock is a moving, magical." -- Melanie Dillon * School Reading List *

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Book SynopsisDaphne is unbearably sad and adrift. She feels the painful loss of her father acutely and seeks solace both in the security of her local library and the escape her phone screen provides by blocking out the world around her. As Daphne tries to make sense of what has happened she recalls memories of shared times and stories past, and in facing the darkness she finds a way back from the tangle of fear and confusion, to feel connected once more with her friends and family. The Girl Who Became a Tree sees Joseph Coelho deploy a wide variety of poetic forms with consummate skill in its narration of events. He seamlessly but searingly weaves together the ancient legend of Daphne, who was turned into a tree to avoid the attentions of the god Apollo, and a totally modern tale, mixing real-life and fantasy, in which a latter-day Daphne seeks her own freedom. This is a heart-stoppingly imaginative story told in poems, at times bleak and even tragic, which is layered, rich and ultimately a tour de force of poetic skill and energy.Trade Review"Heart-breaking, powerful, totally involving...a tour de force...full of energy and a rich palette of language. Evocative and powerful illustrations from one of our most innovative illustrators." -- Tricia Adams * Love Reading *"A classic...the way Joseph has blended the modern with the mythic held me totally - I loved it. Absolutely loved it. That's what we have been waiting for. A great book...Not been so excited about a book for a long time." -- Pie Corbett"One of the best things I have read this year. The writing and illustration are sublime." -- Nikki Gamble * Just Imagine *"Very special. Multi-layered, emotionally intense, beautifully illustrated and written by a poet at the top of his game...beautifully constructed...stayed with me long after reading. Absolutely superb." -- Jon Biddle"Mixing real life and fantasy, told in poems. So powerful...Tragic yet enlightening...I have a book hangover and know I will read it again and again! Wow!" * Book Owl *"It's almost impossible to articulate just how clever, moving and innovative this piece of work is." * The Literacy Tree *"A beautiful verse tale of grief. Magical and mystical. It will stay in your heart for a long time." -- Jane Etheridge * Federation of Children's Book Groups *"The author of Overheard in a Tower Block combines intense imaginative power with brilliant poetic technique in a multi-layered story of loss, hurt, deception, recognition and ultimate reconciliation. Milner's evocative art adds further depth." -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *"The author skilfully reworks the legend of Daphne...into a bleak and emotional YA story of loss and loneliness full of powerful imagery. It is a thought-provoking book which merges fantasy and reality, inner and outer worlds, and urban and forest landscapes. It is an emotional and complex read, but those older readers who enter the forest with Daphne as she confronts the darkness inside will emerge with her into a more hopeful world." * Books for Keeps *"Only page 1, but I'm already hooked on The Girl Who Became a Tree." -- SF Said * Twitter *"Absolutely wonderful... An imaginative, exciting narrative which is a thrill to read aloud." * Booktrust - Book of the Day *"Multilayered, moving, mesmerising." -- Lovemybooks * Twitter *"A beautiful new verse novel for teens." -- Seven Stories, The Centre for Children's Books"Heart-stoppingly powerful, a mesmerising exploration of grief and renewal." -- Andrea Reece * The Poetry Summit blog *"Quite extraordinary. Sinewy, tough and challenging in the best ways. Ultimately transcendent. By far the best 'story in poems' I've ever read." -- Ben Harris * One to Read twitter *"The most evocative poetry...stunning illustrations, a great match." -- Caroline Fielding * YLG London Committee Chair *"A highly readable, imaginative tale with a positive message. Coelho's poems are succinct, thought-provoking and original." * The Independent 10 Best Kids' Poetry Books *"Between the verse factor, the brilliantly fairytale-ish title and that cover art, I was pretty much sold on this before I'd even opened it! And reading it only cemented this!...The illustrations...are stunning and absolutely made this book for me. It's an emotional, magical thing without them, but with them it's just something else. I could pore over them for hours. This is a collection of poetry filled with loss, loneliness, mythology and memories which combine with layered, atmospheric imagery to create a truly modern fairtyale where nature and technology collide. Brilliant." -- Rachael, Altrincham branch * Waterstones website *"For young poetry lovers, the talented and inventive Joseph Coelho last month published The Girl Who Became a Tree, a story in verse that revisits the myth of Daphne. Set in a library where the shelves themselves are poised on the point of metamorphosis, and where the pursued nymph has become a lonely, grieving girl, it plays with form and setting in a way that invites young readers in, asserting the myth’s perpetual relevance." -- Imogen Russell Williams * Times Literary Supplement *"Tragically beautiful. A story that will stay with you for a long time to come...original and moving...Coelho should be hugely congratulated for creating something so powerfully moving." * Reading Zone *"Extraordinary and richly engaging." * A Few to Read blog *"The quality of the writing and verse is quite simply spectacular." -- Charlotte Hacking * CLPE *"I can't recommend this novel in verse enough. Since it dropped through my door I have read it 3 times. It addresses loss and loneliness beautifully. It's quite simply brilliant." -- Jo Bowers * Cardiff Metropolitan University *"Also showcasing the power of verse novels is Joseph Coelho’s superb The Girl Who Became a Tree. Based on the ancient Greek myth of Daphne, who turned into a tree to avoid the attentions of Apollo, Coelho’s modern heroine is grieving the loss of her father by escaping into her phone and the local library in search of solace and freedom. A series of rich and varied poems is accented by Kate Milner’s dark, evocative art." -- Fiona Noble * Bookseller *"There are not many successful poetry collections for the young that tell a story in free verse - but this is one of them. Kate Milner provides outstanding black and white illustrations which perfectly mirror the emotion of the poems." -- Morag Styles * School Librarian *"A truly stunning story told in poetic form." * Library Girl & Book Boy *"This is wordsmithery extraordinaire." -- Teresa Cremlin, Professor of Education (Literacy), Open University"Beautifully produced small book of interconnecting poems about a young person's grief. Tender and raw at the same time. Paper, illustrations and the design of the book are gorgeous!" -- @QueenswoodLib * Twitter *"Coelho's imaginative retelling of the Greek myth of Daphne uses different forms of poetry to meld the ancient tale with a modern story of loss, grief and the search for freedom." * i newspaper *"Kate's illustrations add something special to the experience of reading Joe's absorbing and affecting poems." * Cast of Thousands blog *"The judges found this to be a stunning exploration of grief, anger and isolation. The intertwining of the myth of Daphne with a modern narrative strengthens the depth of the story and results in an immersive read with a lasting impact." * Carnegie Medal judging panel 2021 *"A brief yet challenging novel in verse that tackles the gnarly, disordered forest of the grieving process." * Kirkus Review (US) *"A most original, dark, verse novel by Joseph Coelho with playful graphic typography, tells a powerful story... The dramatic, empathetic, black-and-white line drawings by Kate Milner work effectively with the text and demand the reader’s attention, as does the overall graphic conception of the book, making it attractive to the audience it is aimed for - and beyond." * Bologna Children's Book Fair Judging Panel *“This stunning collection will open young readers' eyes to the potential and power of poetry.” * Good Housekeeping - top 50 books every child should read *"Transforming the love story between Apollo and Daphne into fresh and modern narrative poems, this sequence utilises outstanding wordplay, provocative and thought provoking images, and lines that linger in the memory. The multilayered and varied forms are often startling, are never dull and will appeal to the widest audience. Young people who don’t like poetry might rethink. A modern classic. Highly recommended for KS3 and KS4" -- Tom Tolkien * School Reading List *"This extraordinary and much acclaimed narrative of poems confirms Coelho’s position as an original and exciting wordsmith…This is a complex, multi-layered narrative told in a compelling series of poems with varied layout, hidden messages within…. It can be read literally, supported by the unusual black and white illustrations, but it is the deeper exploration of imagery which pays the real dividends." * The English Association *

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Book SynopsisAduke lives with her grandparents in Ibadan and Grandma is her favourite person in the world. She loves when Grandma sings to her, and gives her treats from her stall. But one day, Aduke comes home from school and can't find Grandma anywhere! Aduke doesn't understand why Grandma can't come back, but then her aunt Yimika tells her a secret. Can she really see Grandma if she squints up at the moon?

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Book SynopsisÀdùké lives with her grandparents in Ibidan and Grandma is her favourite person in the world. She loves when Grandma sings to her, and gives her treats from her stall. But one day, Àdùké comes home from school and can’t find Grandma anywhere! Àdùké doesn’t understand why Grandma can’t come back, but then her aunt Yímiká tells her a secret. Can she really see Grandma if she squints up at the moon?

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Book SynopsisÀdùkẹ́ lives with her grandparents in Ibadan and Grandma is her favourite person in the world. She loves when Grandma sings to her, and gives her treats from her stall. But one day, Àdùkẹ́ comes home from school and can’t find Grandma anywhere! Àdùkẹ́ doesn’t understand why Grandma can’t come back, but then her aunt Yímiká tells her a secret. Can she really see Grandma if she squints up at the moon?

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Book SynopsisThe horse arrives in the storm, when Merryn needs him most, followingthe loss of her father. Sorrel is a dreamlike creature, seeminglymade from the woods and the sea. Throughout the summer andautumn, they ride and play, but as Christmas approaches, it willrequire all of Merryn's new-found strength to help her mum and hersisters heal too.

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Book SynopsisFourteen-year-old Jaysen Flett-Paul''s true story of how Elders guided him through his first Sundance ceremony to heal the anger and grief stemming from his mother''s violent murder. It sensitively tackles the heart-breaking problem of suicide in Indigenous communities, an issue of great importance to this community and for communities across North America.

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Book SynopsisMama Bird is sad today. A little egg she was keeping warm has broken. With tenderness and compassion, her son, Gabriel, helps comfort her. A thoughtful picture book that explores the theme of miscarriage, using a subtle metaphor. It provides families who are living a similar experience, a resource to talk about grief and loss with young children. Teaches warmth and compassion in exploring the theme of miscarriage; Beautifully illustrated high-quality picture book; Provides families a resource to talk about grief with young children.Trade ReviewFROM MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW: The collaborative work of author Evelyne Fournier and illustrator Chloloula, Mama Bird Lost an Egg is a thoughtful and thoroughly child-friendly picture book that explores the theme of miscarriage. ... Mama Bird Lost an Egg is a unique, very ably presented, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.

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