Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler’s Guide to Understanding Death

Product Description Something Very Sad Happened is intended to be read to two- and three-year-old children to help them understand death and process the loss of a loved one. When a loved one dies, it can be hard to know how to explain it to a young child, particularly if you are grieving the loss yourself. Written at a developmental level that is appropriate for two- and three-year-olds, the story explains death; lets children know that it is okay to feel sad; and reassures children that they can still love the person who died, and the person who died will always love them. Since the two- to three-year-old child cannot read, this story is intended to be personalized; certain words are color-coded in red to cue to you to substitute with the appropriate names and pronouns for the person who died. Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with more information about talking to children about death, guidelines for answering a child’s questions, advice for attending funerals and visiting cemeteries, and ideas for commemorating the loved one. From School Library Journal PreS-K—No one likes to think about it, and even fewer plan for it, but explaining death to a toddler can be a difficult task. It is with this in mind, and from personal experience, that Zucker elected to write a book on death for this age set: two- and three-year-olds. She describes in simple terms what happens when someone dies. The author acknowledges that a book on death written just for little ones is a bit niche but emphasizes in the foreword the need to properly discuss this tough situation with young children. Proper names and pronouns within the story are written in red in order to be easily noticed and personalized when read aloud. The text is concise but heartfelt. Fleming's pencil and watercolor illustrations are done primarily in muted blues that set a melancholy tone and work well given the context. The narrative ends on a hopeful note ("Love cannot die") and is followed by tips and information about talking to kids about death. VERDICT An important book to have on hand for those who serve toddlers. It won't circulate every week, but it will come in handy when the need arises.—Lindsay Jensen, Nashville Public Library Review “No one likes to think about it, and even fewer plan for it, but explaining death to a toddler can be a difficult task…. The author acknowledges that a book on death written just for little ones is a bit niche but emphasizes in the foreword the need to properly discuss this tough situation with young children…. An important book to have on hand for those who serve toddlers.” —School Library Journal “Essential, powerful, and psychologically researched resource to equip adults to model healthy grieving and help children at this age with loss.” —Booklist “Something Very Sad Happened is impressively exceptional and an invaluable addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.” —Midwest Book Review About the Author Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice. She received her undergraduate degree from George Washington University, her master's degree from the University of Baltimore, and her doctoral degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. Dr. Zucker specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders and is the author of Anxiety-Free Kids and Take Control of OCD, and co-author of Resilience Builder Program for Children & Adolescents and two relaxation CDs. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and two sons. Visit bonniezucker.com. Kim Fleming has always been passionate about creating visual content for children. Her specialty is children's books, but her illustrations can be found in many different places, from children's games to greeting cards. She enjoys working traditionally, and creates her illustrations using watercolor, pencil, and lots of love. Visit her at http://www.kimflemingillustration.com/ and follow h