Can anyone recommend a book for young children that explains death???

[becaroo]

My ds who wll be 5 in June has started asking questions about death....."Will I die mummy?" that sort of thing.

I am trying to be honest - I dont think lying to children about difficult issues is right - but at the same time I am wary of terrifying/upsetting him.

I had read somewhere that children dont really have a concept of death until 8 or so, but I wondered if there was a book out there for younger children - not a religious one as I dont want to confuse the poor boy!!

Also, can anyone recommend a good book about where babies come from??

there are a series of books called "books without word" - they are aimed at people with ld - but I think they are suitable for childnre too - I'll try and find out more. I think there are lots of books around.

Interestingly the "Harry" books seem to deal with illness and stuff, and loss, in a nice way.

Try Badgers' Parting Gift

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/booksbeyondwords/bbwtitlesa-z.aspx

can't do links!!

its books beyond words.

Agree, "badgers parting gift " is good.

Thanks...have ordered badgers parting gift from amazon.

Michael Rosen's book about his son dying is very sweet and very sad but geared to children.

Also there's an Alfie book (I think) about a cat dying (I think) which is also very nicely done if I remember rightly - but haven't read it for years.

"Mummy Laid An Egg" is a good babies one. Otherwise Usbourne (I think!) do a nice lift the flaps one with simple language and good pictures.

Badgers Parting gifts or something like that - very nice

Babette Cole (who also wrote Mummy Laid an Egg) has written a book called Drop Dead. Not everyone's cup of tea, but might be worth a look?

Winston's Wish organisation has a list of recommended books here www.winstonswish.org.uk/page.asp?section=0001000100030006&pagetitle=Recommended+Reading+List

ps Mummy Laid an Egg is just HILARIOUS!