Customer Reviews

When a Grandparent Dies: A Kid's Own Workbook for Dealing with Shiva and the Year Beyond

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an exceptionally beautiful and sensitve guide for children to help them cope with the death of a grandparent. While targeted for children 7-11, I suspect that younger AND older children, and even adults, will find the information and various activities extremely worthwhile. It provides a very good overview of the way in which Jewsih rituals associated with death and mourning serve to help the child and his/her family copy for the short and long-term. A must-have for rabbis, teachers, synagogue libraries and funeral directors. - and a book I wish I had when my grandparents died!

Liss-Levinson's thoughtful approach to comforting and teaching a young child about death is skillfully orchestrated through a sequence of activities which serve as building blocks to a deeper understanding of death and a Jewish response.

This process is accomplished by accessing a child's memories about their grandparent. Since it is likely, that the death of a grandparent will be the first introduction of death to a child, Liss-Levinson uses the event as a platform to allow the child to speak about their feelings through drawings, simple sentences or photos. It also allows for the child to ask questions and gain historical information from parents, family members and friends.

The workbook weaves Judaic education through the exercises by explaining Shiva, the Kaddish, and common family practices. The child is given the opportunity to take charge and become a Shiva Detective as way to gain a larger memory base about their grandparent. The result creates a world of memory for the child to hold and cherish and introduces them to the Judaic concept of remembering. The inclusion of how the child can recall their memories at each Jewish holiday instills a sense of continuation and hope.

The workbook assists parents by bringing difficult topics to the forefront and creates the possibility of ongoing discussions with a child. Most importantly, the child has gained a valuable skill, the power to remember and the confidence to treasure their memories.

I would highly recommend this workbook to be suggested by rabbis, Jewish educators, and child therapists. It is appropriate for 8-12 year olds, and should be encouraged to be used by younger children with their parents help. It is truly a "memory bank" and will be greatly appreciated by the family.

This is a wonderful book. Drawing from her professional and personal experience, the author, with her wisdom, sensitivity, and insight, provides moving, creative opportunities for children to work through the process of grieving and healing.

I recently gave this gem of a book to a close friend for her eight-year-old daughter whose grandmother passed away. My friend was so excited about this gift, and she is eager to start going through the book with her daughter.

I really like this book because it gives kids (and their parents) specific tools and activities to use to explore a child's feelings about death. I really loved the "shiva detective" pages, where kids play an active role in the shiva house. I would recommend this book as a great gift to bring to a shiva house where there are grandchildren who have lost a grandparent; even better than rugelach.
Missy Chase Lapine
Author, The Sneaky Chef