With beautiful illustrations and no words, this grief book for kids leaves space for readers to create their own conversations about losing—and remembering—loved ones.
It's hard to know what to do when we lose a loved one. And it's hard to know what to say when someone we love experiences loss . . . especially when they're a child.
In One Duck's Journey, Duck loses his mate to a car accident. His friend Ladybug stays by his side as he works through his emotions. Ladybug supports him by being there, without needing to say a thing.
Author Dr. Jane Grothaus has worked with patients and their families dealing with loss for more than two decades. Inspired by the five stages of grief, she created this book to guide families, counselors, and childcare specialists though open discussions about grieving after loss.
In One Duck's Journey, readers can find:
- straightforward, but approachable, depictions of death, loss, and fear.
- a reminder that just being present with a grieving person is enough.
- encouragement to share and value memories.
- affirmations that you will find a way to move forward.
This bereavement book for kids helps children feel understood—and helps them understand themselves. The simplicity of this story makes it a universally supportive kids' book about grief and loss that fits with any belief system.
A great fit for fans of The Invisible String and When Dinosaurs Die, this book will be a valuable addition for books for child therapists, school counselor books, and gifts for anyone experiencing loss.
Dr. Jane Grothaus is a speech-language pathologist who has worked with patients and their families dealing with loss for more than two decades. Her research includes cognitive process and executive functions. Dr. Grothaus hopes to inspire others to do a little bit every day to leave things better than they found them. She encourages her students and her patients to recognize that sometimes all they need to do is to keep showing up. Through experiencing the loss of her own brother, Dr. Grothaus bridges the world of research and feelings with a special touch of empathy.
Valerya Milovanova is an illustrator and artist based in London, UK. Not only is she busy with book commissions, but in her spare time she is a university lecturer and even works on printmaking. She loves working with different textures, combining traditional materials (especially ink and pencil) with digital media to create heartwarming, fun, and inviting illustrations. Valerya also loves screenprinting, monoprinting, and RISO, often making prints for sale. Valerya is extremely inspired by history, the world around her, and vintage pieces and the stories they tell. She is a proud participant of the MORS Illustration Festival 2023 and her children's picture book, I Am Upset was shortlisted for the Batsford Prize and the Unpublished Picturebook showcase.
