Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story about Coping with the Loss of a Parent [Hardcover]

Julie Kaplow (Author), Donna Pincus (Author), Beth Speigel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

The story of a young girl whose father has recently died, which deals with the full range of emotions, questions, and worries that children have when a parent has died. Offers ways to remember and honor the lost parent, encourages the open sharing of feelings, and helps children understand that their parents want them to be happy and live their lives fully.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Magination Press; 1 edition (January 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591478081
• ISBN-13: 978-1591478089
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mply put, "Samantha Jane's Missing Smile" should be a part of every elementary school and community library, August 7, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story about Coping with the Loss of a Parent (Hardcover)

When her father died, young Samantha Jane lost her smile. She feels such sadness because she misses her father so very much. Sammy Jane is also now worried about her mother and whether or not they can ever be happy again. Is it right to feel happy when her father can't be with her to enjoy what life has to offer? Deftly co-authored by Julie Kaplow and Donna Pincus, and very nicely illustrated with the artwork of Beth Spiegel, "Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story About Coping With The Loss Of A Parent" will gently guide young readers and their families through the feelings, thoughts, and wishes that young children aged 4 to 8 experience when a parent dies and provides them with helpful tools for overcoming their natural and inevitable grief associated with such great loss. Simply put, "Samantha Jane's Missing Smile" should be a part of every elementary school and community library collection because every school and every community will, from time to time, have children who have lost a parent and stand in need of what Sammy Jane has to share with them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, April 7, 2008

By 

Dr. John D. Otis (Chestnut Hill, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story about Coping with the Loss of a Parent (Hardcover)

I gave this book to a friend who lost his wife to cancer and needed to talk to his children about ways to cope and remember her. The family read the story together many times and it helped to guide his discussion with his children. The story is great and the artwork is engaging for children. This book should be on the shelf of every physician, psychologist, or healthcare professional who deals with children who must cope with the loss of a parent. In fact, you can never tell when a client may lose someone important to them and this boook provides concrete strategies for helping children deal with loss.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Books That Heal Kids, April 1, 2010

By 

Books That Heal Kids "Roxanne" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story about Coping with the Loss of a Parent (Hardcover)

Oh boy, where to begin. There are so many good nuggets in this book. First of all, tough subject to write about. Second, anyone who works with or has a grieving child needs this book on their shelf. Kids often stuff their feelings because they don't want to upset their parents. Samantha Jane tries to push away her own grief so she won't worry her mother. Man, it makes me sad to think about how much that happens in real life. She also struggles with guilt. The guilt of not wanting to experience joy, for fear that she is not honoring her father's memory. My favorite bibliotherapy stories are those incorporating REALISTIC strategies that help kids cope through those rough times. There are some good ones throughout the story. I highly recommend Samantha Jane's Missing Smile for your shelf.