This book is aimed at parents, guardians, and caregivers to help children discuss their feelings having lost a loved one. The format is simple rhyming sentences interspersed with corresponding large, bright photographs. The premise is to get children thinking about and expressing their feelings and questions about death and the book is intended to be read with a child, not by the child individually. For example, "Like a foot without a sock, Like a boat without a dock, Like a clock without a tock. That's how it feels...Me without You." The sentiments in the rhyme and the accompanying pictures can be used as prompts for the child, and there are also useful conversation extenders for the adult. For example, the suggestions for the section just reproduced is "Discuss things that 'go-together...When someone is 'missing' is that item still that item (is a clock still a clock even without a tock)? How did it feel to be with your loved one. Without?" A particularly useful addition is the section for adults called Talking to Children about Death, which includes a general description of how children understand death at different developmental stages: infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. This will help adults to approach the topic of death at a level suitable for a child's understanding. There is also advice on how to explain the concept of death and how some terms that we tend to use such as "we lost our dad" or "going to sleep" can unintentionally cause confusion or anxiety in children. Colour picturebook with short text, activity book.
Audience: Adult, Adult caregiver, Professional. To be used by an adult accompanying a child, age range 2 - 10.