The authors explain in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
PW gave a starred review to this "balanced, comprehensive and age-appropriate" explanation of death and its emotional aftermath, featuring the amiable cast from Dinosaurs Divorce. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 5^-8. Unlike many books on death for little ones, this one doesn't tell a story. Instead, it addresses children's fears and curiosity head-on, and in a largely secular fashion, by answering some very basic questions: "Why does someone die?" "What does dead mean?" "What comes after death?" Other questions deal with emotions, and there's a section about death customs (the weakest part of the book). The forthright approach makes the subject seem less mysterious and provides kids with plenty to think about and discuss with their parents. It's the brightly colored artwork, however, that will really enable children to relax with the concept. The pictures are filled with homey clutter and familiar detail, and the activities of the appealingly quirky characters (who resemble dinosaurs in only the broadest way) add a strong, comforting sense of what can only be called normalcy. Stephanie Zvirin
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I bought this book to help answer my 4 year olds questions about death. I felt this book is too much information for that age. She needed answers not new fears. This book brings up suicide and drug abuse. More appropraite for an older child.The book "Lifetimes" was exactly what I needed.
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Anne
Format:Paperback
Don't buy this non-sentimental look at death if your favorite book is Love You Forever.
If however, you want something that doesn't dwell excessively upon emotions, that discusses lucidly what death is and what it means, then this is an excellent choice. A parent trying to explain death to a child doesn't need a book full of emotional upheaval or roundabout references to death.
Of course there are flaws. But this book isn't about leaves, about dogs, cats or focussed on the death of an older person. It covers all areas adeptly. I liked it for the slightly distanced look at a subject that evokes a tremendous surge of feelings.
I bought it as a gift for a recently bereaved family (lost daddy). I plan on buying another copy for my family so the topic of death is covered before I'm too distraught to carefully guide my kids through that scene.
Very highly recommended.
If however, you want something that doesn't dwell excessively upon emotions, that discusses lucidly what death is and what it means, then this is an excellent choice. A parent trying to explain death to a child doesn't need a book full of emotional upheaval or roundabout references to death.
Of course there are flaws. But this book isn't about leaves, about dogs, cats or focussed on the death of an older person. It covers all areas adeptly. I liked it for the slightly distanced look at a subject that evokes a tremendous surge of feelings.
I bought it as a gift for a recently bereaved family (lost daddy). I plan on buying another copy for my family so the topic of death is covered before I'm too distraught to carefully guide my kids through that scene.
Very highly recommended.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Explaining death to a child is never easy for an adult, but the Browns' book really helps. You'll find difficult concepts made much simpler with colorful illustrations that remind the child of the "Arthur" cartoon series which the author also created.
The kids with whom I have worked professionally have loved the little green dinosaurs who experience and express the same thoughts and feelings. When I talked to my daughter's preschool class a few years back after the class hamster died, I used parts of this book in my explanation.
The brilliance of the Browns' concept is that one doesn't have to read the book straight through. A parent or teacher can choose to use two or three pages. In fact, each two-page spread tends to develop a specific concept such as funerals, cause of death, what death means, etc.
As a matter of fact, this would be a nice addition to elementary school libraries and classrooms, especially when discussing the death part of their living things science units.
It's interesting in my own professional library that this book takes its place right along with all of the academic volumes on death, bereavement, and counseling theory!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for kids
As a counselor, I've used this book for years with children. It promotes discussion and understanding with students who face loss for the first time.
Published 25 days ago by Susie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good for children
Good book for children that are actively going through a grieving process or the loss of a loved one is likely.
Published 1 month ago by A SCHULTZ
5.0 out of 5 stars
I really like this book, it's right to the point and very direct. It...
I really like this book, it's right to the point and very direct. It covers all the ways people could possibly die, so that children can get an understanding of death.
Published 1 month ago by Sharon Alderink
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kids have feelings, too
Kids pick up on the feelings that adults around them display. If the child asks you a question about the death of a loved one, what should you say? You don't want to make it worse. Read more
Published 2 months ago by M Lomeli, author
5.0 out of 5 stars
So helpful during difficult times
This is a wonderful book. I lost my partner and my daughter lost her daddy just recently to suicide. My daughter turns 3 this week. Read more
Published 3 months ago by B. D.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for kids
As a bereavement coordinator I had been looking for a book to explain death to children - this book explains it quite well. 😃
Published 4 months ago by Rachel McCoy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dinosaur Book
I use it in my elementary school counseling work with k-6 kids. Applies to a diverse population, not scarey, direct and age appropraite.
Published 5 months ago by Joni Rubinstein
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dino's are pretty wise!
This is an excellent guide to the simple basic questions small children have when a loved one is lost. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Bruce Neville
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helpul book
I purchased this book for a friend's 4 year old daughter, after her brother committed suicide. The family was struggling with how to tell the child. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Amy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book to explaind eath.
My father recently passed away and my almost 3 yeard old son has had a hard time understanding where Grandpa has gone. I was trying to find a book to help him understand. Read more
Published 11 months ago by meg
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