Books to help little people cope with bereavement

[BELLAARA]

Hello,

Hoping someone can help, a relative is dying and will leave behind a little boy. At a loss as to what else to do, I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for books to help children process having their mother die. He's 4 years old.
Or if anyone has any suggestions of another little gift that may be appropriate, they would be gratefully received.
Thank you.

Hi there,

My son lost his Daddy this year aged 7 very unexpectedly. The best advice I can give you is to give Winston’s Wish a call. They will send you out some material you can use to find the right words when the time comes.

I would also recommend contacting your local CHUMS branch, they have a special unit for children bereaved in a traumatic way and they have been amazing for us. My son sees his counselor every 2 weeks at school and they have an age appropriate work book they do a few pages of and make things to remind him of his Daddy.

Just yesterday we attended a memorial service organized by CHUMS where children meet others in he same situation the same age which really helped my son to feel like he isn’t the only one.

From a practical perspective, be aware that children are very compartmentilised with their feelings, I broke the news to my son and he cried and screamed and then within 3 hours we were sitting around playing a board game. We just went with what he needed to do/feel at any given time.

The best advice I was given was to manage the surroundings but not his feelings, allow him to feel. This seems to have worked as he is open and frank about the situation and is adjusting well to his new normal.

I hope I haven’t rambled too much and this has helped. I speak also not only as a parent in this situation but as someone who lost her Dad before the age of 3 so have the unique perspective of both situations.

Good luck and lots of love to the little boy xxx

Sorry I forgot to link this book. They read it at the CHUMS event yesterday and my son has actually asked for a copy as he related to it, definitely age appropriate for a 4 year old - www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/0552567655/ref=rdr_ext_cr_cm_cr_acr_txt?tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I work as a Learning Mentor in Primary School and help support children through bereavement

I highly recommend the Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine activity book. It's suitable for 4-11 year olds, and is easy to use for small children with the help of an adult. It's also a lovely keepsake.

My husband died when my daughter was five. This book is amazing. It’s written for pre school children but works really well for losers kids too.
“Elke Barber and Alex Barber
Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute?” Explaining (sudden) death in words very young children can understand Illustrated”