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A beautifully supportive story for families with children who are grieving the loss of a cherished loved one.
“Proudly endorsed by psychologists, therapists, and healthcare professionals,”
The mouse family has lost someone dear.
Come follow each one as Bear helps them understand all they are feeling and how each expresses it in their own unique way.
Tiny is so quiet, I wonder if Bear will help him too.
A beautifully written picture storybook that conveys the grief stages, expressions of grief, common feelings, and ways to remember your loved one.
A picture book about dealing with grief, loss, and how 'emotions aren't good or bad or right or wrong, they just are.'
If you're dealing with a loss, then you will be reassured that you are not alone and might even see a little of yourself inside the pages.
Losing someone dear is a challenge for young and old alike, and everyone grieves in a different way. In this story, a family of mice is struggling with the loss of an unnamed loved one. Every day, the family members transition through different emotions and expressions, sometimes finding themselves diving into furious activity while other times feeling completely devoid of energy. Luckily, Wise Old Bear is nearby and becomes a sounding board for each member of the family as they are processing their complex emotions. And when Tiny Mouse finally speaks with Wise Old Bear, a helpful coping technique emerges that brings the family back together once again.
This is an emotionally enriching story for young children that embraces the realities that come with grieving a lost loved one. In the story, the missing character is an unspecified yet constant presence, which permits readers to imagine who or what the family may have lost. Additionally, the unnamed loved one is granted the neutral pronoun “they” to increase the universality of this story. Thanks to these choices, young readers who have lost a loved one—no matter whether that creature is human or otherwise—will be able to recognize themselves in the book. Beside this universal character, the family itself is more or less heteronormative, and each mouse engages in activities typical to their gender.
Readers of all ages will connect with the writing in this story, but it is particularly well suited to early elementary school-aged readers. The text is of medium length and incorporates accessible phrasing, a predictable structure, and repetitive patterns. One frequently used phrase reminds readers that emotions are neither good nor bad; they just are. And as readers experiencing grief make their way through this book, they will appreciate receiving the permission to feel what they are feeling no matter where they are in their grieving process. The illustrations are friendly and filled with comforting hues and soft, watercolor imagery. While these are not easily viewed from a distance, they are well suited to a close read with a caregiver. Heartfelt and supportive, this is an important book to share with children who have lost a cherished companion in their lives.
Reviewed by
I review books for kids, tweens, and teens and blog about them on my website. To date, I have over 500 published reviews. Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.maryrlanni.com to get recommendations straight to your inbox! I primarily write reviews, but will create video reviews upon request.
Synopsis
“Proudly endorsed by psychologists, therapists, and healthcare professionals,”
The mouse family has lost someone dear.
Come follow each one as Bear helps them understand all they are feeling and how each expresses it in their own unique way.
Tiny is so quiet, I wonder if Bear will help him too.
A beautifully written picture storybook that conveys the grief stages, expressions of grief, common feelings, and ways to remember your loved one.
A picture book about dealing with grief, loss, and how 'emotions aren't good or bad or right or wrong, they just are.'
If you're dealing with a loss, then you will be reassured that you are not alone and might even see a little of yourself inside the pages.
About the author
Karen Brough is an Australian wife, mother, and former Primary School Teacher who has always had a passion for writing. Author of the 'Be Held by Him' series and has now jumped into the world of picture books. Her sensitive heart allows her to express deep truths in simple but profound ways. view profile
Published on September 01, 2023
0-1000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre: Children's
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