Something Very Sad Happened

August 1, 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

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2016
Preschool-K Death is a difficult concept to grasp at any age: there's unimaginable sadness and a notion of finality that may seem too complex to comprehend. In this touching story geared towards parents and caregivers with two- to three-year-old children experiencing the loss of a loved one, the author not only simplifies the concept of death in a way for toddlers to understand ( When someone dies / you cannot see them anymore ), but additionally provides grieving strategies through calming illustrations and supplemental tools for parents and caregivers. The opening of the book includes a personal condolence and explanatory author's note highlighting the inspiration for writing the story, followed by a curated, step-by-step guide for using the book as a tool to address death. Similarly, the book closes with an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers, which completes this essential, powerful, and psychologically researched resource to equip adults to model healthy grieving and help children at this age with loss.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)