Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying [Paperback]

Joyce C. Mills (Author), Cary Pillo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Written for children who may not survive their illness or for the children who know them, this tender and touching tale helps address feelings of disbelief, anger, and sadness, along with love and compassion. Amanda and Little Tree discover that their friend Gentle Willow isn't feeling well. Amanda summons the Tree Wizards, who visit Gentle Willow and determine that they can't fix her. Amanda is angry at first, but eventually she listens to the Tree Wizards as they explain that death is a transformation and journey into the unknown. They also counsel Amanda that the medicine she can give Gentle Willow is love. In a final act of love, Amanda comforts Gentle Willow, who is afraid, with a story about the caterpillar who transforms into a butterfly. A new "Note to Parents" addresses how to cope with death and dying.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A beautiful, sensitive and hope-filled metaphor which emphasizes transformation and the healing power of love. -- Geraldine Yarne, MD, Connecticut Children's Hospital, Newington Ct

The tenderness coupled with reality is a unique blend which will comfort all who read this beautiful book. -- Neal G. Sutherland, MD, Cancer Care Coordinator, GN Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Hawaii --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

The review from Horn Book is inaccurate; this book does not talk about cancer or any other specific illness. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Magination Pr; 2 edition (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591470722
• ISBN-13: 978-1591470724
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Social Skills
  • #69 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Death & Dying
  • #92 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Death & Dying

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Gentle Willow" is a truly gentle story of life and death., May 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying (Hardcover)

A lot of childrens' books about death are either specific to one religion, or not spiritual at all. This book is a nice bridge between the two extremes. It alludes to the metamorphosis of caterpillar into butterfly, and it describes death as change of form rather than an ending. It also talks about how the living can comfort the dying and how the we cherish memories of them after death. All of this is brought up very tenderly, in the context of a squirrel whose friend, a tree, is dying. The book even touches on the emotions of anger and fear, without dwelling too much on negatives.

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helping children deal with the pain of a terminal illness, March 3, 2002

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying (Hardcover)

When I first read "Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying," I thought it was about preparing a child for the death of a terminally ill loved one. After all, the story tells about Amanda, a squirrel, and her friends Little Tree and Gentle Willow. One day Amanda notices that Gentle Willow looks and feels differently. Amanda becomes concerned about her friend and calls in Fixumup and Imageen the tree wizards, who check Gentle Willow and have to admit that while they can make her feel more comfortable and help her feel stronger, they cannot make her all better. The tree wizards comfort Amanda about the impending loss of her friend by explaining about the special gifts called memories.

When I finished reading this book I turned to the introduction and learned "Gentle Willow" was written for children who may not survive their illness as well as for the children who know them. I have to admit, I thought this sensitive book would also help children prepare for the death of a grandparent, or someone of any age. The basic metaphor of the caterpillars turning into butterflies applies any loved one. Dr. Mills developed this book out of an earlier effort, "Little Tree: A Story for Children with Serious Medical Problems," which reflects her specialty in storytelling as a healing process of children and adults. Obviously, this book will touch adults as well as the children for whom it was intended. The watercolor illustrations by Michael Chesworth captures the shifting tones of this tale, especially through the subtle changes on the face of Amanda, as sadness is replaced by hope through the healing power of love.

I wish your children will never have a need for such a book, but if the situation arises, I hope that you find this book.

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tender and gentle way to help children cope with death., December 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying (Hardcover)

I read this book to my 9 year old daughter when we found out her cancer was terminal. It helped her and her friends deal better with her impending death. I highly recommend this book to people who are dealing with children and death.