I've just found the loveliest (and most poignant) book to introduce the concept of death to a young child

[moondog]

Losing Lucky
It's about a rabbit that dies and how a family deal with it.
Part of a series used widely in schools.
It's great,although my throat gets tight every time we read it.

Would it be appropriate before or after the death of a grand parent moondog? My Ds has been in tears tonight talking about my dad dying I've run out of things to say to him.

Michael Rosen's "sad" is also superb and poignant based on losing his son.

Worth a look.

thank you.

I think so SOLO.
It helped us talknig about grandparents.

Suitable before the inevitable moondog?

Another great book is this

I bought this for my DS and have been reading it with him since he was 2. It's come in really handy and i'd highly reccomend it.

Can't do links for crap but Frog and the Birdsong by Max Veljhuis is BRILLIANT on this.

and The Lonely Tree

thank you for this thread, I have a friend with a 3.5yr old who really needs this just now, will pass on to her.

thanks for the recommendations
i have been struggling t find the words to say to explain to my 3yo DD where her lovely pop (grandad) has gone in a way she would understand. she is grasping the idea of 'hes gone for a long sleep in heaven with the angels' etc but not the not coming back part and i hadnt thought of using a book to help with this. i have ordered the one demented has mentioned and also another one on the page on amazon
xx ei xx

Both before and after, Solo, yes.

There are also 'Badger's Parting Gifts' by Susan Varley and 'Always and Forever' by Alan Durant and Debi Gliori. I found them very useful for my DSs when DH died.

Thanks moondog, I will have to visit the library.

I have been thinking of getting a book for DD (almost three) to explain a little more where Granny and Grandad have gone, so will look at some of these - thank you all.

Moondog - sorry to hijack, but you were recommended here.