Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler's Guide to Understanding Death

by Bonnie Zucker, Kim Fleming (Illustrator)

Overview

When a loved one dies, it can be hard to know how to explain it to a young child, particularly if you are grieving the loss yourself.

Sensitively written and gently illustrated, Something Very Sad Happened explains death in developmentally appropriate terms for two- and three-year-old children. It reassures the child that it is okay to feel sad and that love never dies.

Included is a Note to Parents and Caregivers with more information about how to talk about death, answer your child's questions, and maintain your connection throughout the grieving process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433822667
Publisher:	Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Publication date:	11/04/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	2 - 8 Years

About the Author

Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice. She received her undergraduate degree from George Washington University, her master's degree from the University of Baltimore, and her doctoral degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.

Editorial Reviews

No one likes to think about it, and even fewer plan for it, but explaining death to a toddler can be a difficult task…. The author acknowledges that a book on death written just for little ones is a bit niche but emphasizes in the foreword the need to properly discuss this tough situation with young children…. An important book to have on hand for those who serve toddlers.” —School Library Journal

“Essential, powerful, and psychologically researched resource to equip adults to model healthy grieving and help children at this age with loss.” —Booklist

“Something Very Sad Happened is impressively exceptional and an invaluable addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.” —Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

08/01/2016
PreS-K—No one likes to think about it, and even fewer plan for it, but explaining death to a toddler can be a difficult task. It is with this in mind, and from personal experience, that Zucker elected to write a book on death for this age set: two- and three-year-olds. She describes in simple terms what happens when someone dies. The author acknowledges that a book on death written just for little ones is a bit niche but emphasizes in the foreword the need to properly discuss this tough situation with young children. Proper names and pronouns within the story are written in red in order to be easily noticed and personalized when read aloud. The text is concise but heartfelt. Fleming's pencil and watercolor illustrations are done primarily in muted blues that set a melancholy tone and work well given the context. The narrative ends on a hopeful note ("Love cannot die") and is followed by tips and information about talking to kids about death. VERDICT An important book to have on hand for those who serve toddlers. It won't circulate every week, but it will come in handy when the need arises.—Lindsay Jensen, Nashville Public Library

School Library Journal