What On Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? [Paperback]

Trevor Romain (Author)

Book Description

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

When Trevor Romain’s father died, Trevor didn’t know what to feel, say, or do. Shocked, saddened, and confused, all he could say was . . . wow. As he started understanding what had happened, he began writing about his experiences and feelings. His new book—simple, insightful, and straight from the heart—is for any child who has lost a loved one or other special person.

Trevor talks directly to kids about what death means and how to cope. He asks the kinds of questions kids have about death—Why? How? What next? Is it my fault? What’s a funeral?—in basic, straightforward terms. He describes and discusses the overwhelming emotions involved in grieving—sadness, fear, anger, guilt—and offers practical strategies for dealing with them. He also suggests meaningful ways to remember and honor the person who has died.

When someone dies, adults are often involved with their own loss and grief and not as available to children as they might otherwise be. This little book, full of concrete advice and expressive illustrations, offers the comfort and reassurance that children need during these difficult times. Written to and for kids, it’s also recommended for parents and other relatives, educators, counselors, and youth workers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Written honestly, compassionately, and carefully.”—Bereavement Care

“Supportive, insightful, inspiring…very highly recommended for school and public library acquisition, counseling centers and child welfare departments.”—The Children’s Bookwatch

 

"Simple, insightful, and straight from the heart, this book is for any child who has lost a loved one or other special person."—Library Talk

Parent Council® Selection

About the Author

When Trevor Romain was 12, his teacher told him he wasn't talented enough to do art. By accident, he found out 20 years later that he could draw. Since that lucky day, he has written and illustrated 20 books for children. In addition to writing, illustrating, and speaking at schools, Trevor is a board member of the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and can often be found on the cancer ward at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas, doing his rounds as "Doctor of Mischief."

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; 1 edition (February 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420554
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420554
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When South African-born Trevor Romain was 12, his teacher told him he wasn't talented enough to do art, but 20 years later he discovered that he could draw. He has since written and illustrated more than 30 children's books, and he has an animated video series for kids based on his best-selling, award-winning books. Trevor also visits schools to speak to children, and he spends his free time with kids who have cancer at the Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

165 of 165 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honestly Helpful, July 4, 2000

By 

Mary Emerson-Smith "So many books, so little ... (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What On Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? (Paperback)

I searched through all the books on the amazon website related to helping children face death of a loved one. I read all the reviews, ordered all the books that sounded good. I then read all the books that sounded good and this is my top pick. I gave it to a five year old whose grandmother had died. His father told me that it helped him just as much as his son. I am writing this review, sadly, because I am ordering it again for a teen-age boy whose little brother drowned recently.This book will not turn kids off, it is not corny or sentimental. As a family therapist, I only use the best books available and hope that this recommendation helps someone else.

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better and more intelligent that What is Heaven?, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What On Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? (Paperback)

This is an excellent book to help ANYONE through a time of grief in their life. It may be written on a juvenile level, but it explains a lot of things about grieving and death that you may not have heard from anyone before. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for Basic Questions of A Child Experiencing A Death, July 31, 2004

By 

W. Mitchell "Just Me" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What On Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? (Paperback)

This book provides brief and blunt answers to questions many children may have and adults may not consider - it touches on 'What is a Memorial Service', 'Where does the person go', 'Am I Going To Die Too?', 'Is the Death My Fault' as well as common feelings experienced while grieving. Each topic is brief and written for a child.
As an Adult: At first, this was the only book I could read myself, as most of the other books were too overwhelming.