A heart-breaking but ultimately uplifting storybook to help children aged 6+ come to terms with loss by suicide

It is a beautiful spring day, and Luna is having a picnic in the park with her family, wearing her Mum's red hat. Luna's Mum died one year ago and she still finds it difficult to understand why. She feels that it may have been her fault and worries that her Dad might leave her in the same way. Her Dad talks to her to explain what happened and together they think about all the happy memories they have of Mum.

This beautifully-illustrated storybook is designed as a tool to be read with children aged 6+ who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide. Suicide always causes shock, not just for the family members but for everyone around them, and children also have to deal with these feelings. The book approaches the subject sensitively and includes a guide for parents and professionals by bereavement expert, Dr Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers. It will be of interest to anyone working with, or caring for, children bereaved by suicide, including bereavement counsellors, social workers and school staff, as well as parents, carers and other family members.

"

The book dealt with a difficult subject matter well... the illustrations were good and particularly helped bring through the different moods of the story, reflecting very much the different and conflicting feelings brought about by bereavement. I particularly thought it was strong on emphasizing that no-one is to blame and that the suicide is in fact brought about by illness. (Richard)
I think it appeals well to children and it is a helpful guide for parents.(Hannah)

"This wonderful book contains simple yet beautiful illustrations that through the subtle change in the use of colour, capture the sadness of loss and grief and offer hope for the future... I know I shall use this book." - BACP Children & Young People

"This illustrated storybook is very sensitively written. We feel the age appropriate language used addresses many of the thoughts and feelings children bereaved by suicide may have, such as 'why would someone you love want to leave you?' and 'was I to blame?'" - Child Bereavement UK

"This is the first book I have seen on specifically explaining suicide of a parent to a young child, and it is a particularly lovely one in picture and in text. There is an afterward by Dr Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers, a bereavement specialist, who explains just why it is necessary to be honest with children about suicide and who gives specific ways of presenting the information in a gentle way... The illustrations, all on a soft beige and white background, are delicately full of emotion and sometimes gentle humour too as dad deftly handles Luna's questions. A winning picture book about a very difficult subject." - Healthy Books blog

"Although the subject matter is a difficult one to broach, the story is carefully crafted. It is effective in its simplicity as the story unfolds gently, offering insight into Luna's grief and Dad's support. The theme is sensitively handled as Luna is helped through her heartbreak and loss...I would highly recommend this book to healthcare chaplains, families with children who have lost a parent to suicide and professionals caring for those families." - Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, Issue 4.1 (June) 2016