This Book Is for All Kids, but Especially My Sister Libby. Libby Died. [Hardcover]

Jack Simon (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Jack Simon was five years old when his sister, Libby, died. She'd been born with a rare disorder and wasn't expected to survive six months. But she lived three and a half years, giving Jack plenty of time to get to know her. When she died, Jack struggled to understand how God could take away his little sister.Everyone experiences grief, but children express it differently. Afraid to ask questions that might make someone sadder, children often keep their sorrow locked inside. Jack's mom, Annette, encouraged her son to talk about his pain, and she insightfully began a diary. Jack's questions eventually became the picture book This Book Is for All Kids, but Especially My Sister Libby. Libby Died. His words were illustrated with his input by his mom, a graphic designer.A grieving Jack thought no one in the world could possibly know how he felt. In truth, his questions are universal. Communication is especially important at a time of loss. Ironically, that's exactly when no one quite knows what to say. Not even grown-ups.Which is why This Book Is for All Kids is the perfect way to help children and adults begin to deal with loss. Already used nationally in Ronald McDonald Houses and praised by authors, educators, parents, and professionals-including the American Hospice Foundation and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation-This Book Is for All Kids is a starting point for loving conversations about death, grief, and hope. Designed for children, this book is becoming a source of comfort for people of all ages and faiths.Ultimately, This Book Is for All Kids is for anyone who's lost a loved one.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...simple, frank, and powerful...the text and art are bold and expressive." -- The Dallas Morning News, November 28, 2000

"For opening a discussion about death, no book is more direct...grief and hope spill onto immensely colored pages..." -- Publisher's Weekly

"This is a wonderful book...so poignant and expressive and a beautiful message for those suffering a loss." -- Hallmark / Jane Elyse Pryor, Senior Editor

"What a book! Our family services director read it first and wrote: "This book is so wonderful!" -- Danny Mize, Executive Director, The Kids' Place, Oklahoma City --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

This book has received advance praise from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (Santa Monica, CA), the Center for Loss and Life Transition (Ft. Collins, CO), the American Hospice Foundation (Washington, DC), Hospice Foundation of America (Poughkeepsie, NY), The Caring Place (Pittsburgh, PA), AVANTA (Burlen, WA), and many more from coast to coast. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740729527
• ISBN-13: 978-0740729522
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,998,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Is For All Kids, But Especially My Sister, Libby., June 12, 2003

By 

Heather Kantor (Las Vegas, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Book Is For All Kids, But Especially My Sister, Libby. Libby Died. (Hardcover)

This book is wonderful. We are sharing them with all of the children at our grief and loss camp and we hope it gives them comfort during such a difficult time. It is important for children to know that they are not alone in their grief and we will use this book to open up dialog so they can begin to understand. We will keep copies of the books at our hospice for all of our families to read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Libby's wings, June 11, 2003

By 

Ms. A+ (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Book Is for All Kids, but Especially My Sister Libby. Libby Died. (Hardcover)

I knew by the title that this book had something powerful to say, and it didn't disappoint. The first thing you see when you open it is a photograph of Libby... and a picture of a caterpillar that will soon have wings, as Libby's brother, the author, imagines Libby does. In typical kid fashion, brother Jack wonders about what it's like to be dead. He poses sweet questions, funny questions.... Jack lets us know there is plenty of life left in us after we die. This is a book I'll read over and over again... and will give to elementary counselors and teachers. This book is a great comfort to those who have lost someone and those who wonder about death.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a childs perspective, December 13, 2002

By 

bethany (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Book Is for All Kids, but Especially My Sister Libby. Libby Died. (Hardcover)

The death of a loved one is difficult to grasp. People often have questions because they can't understand why...now imagine if you are a child. This book looks at the death of a loved one purely through the eyes of a child. In the unfortunate event of death, this book not only helps children understand, but I believe it helps adults cope. If only adults could be as honest and uncensored with their emotions as a child.