Something Very Sad Happened - by Bonnie Zucker (Hardcover)

About the Book

The book explains death and loss to a very young child in a simple and age-appropriate way.

Book Synopsis

A Gentle, Supportive Story to Help Young Children Understand the Death of a Loved One

This compassionate picture book gives very young children a simple and honest way to understand death and the feelings that come with losing someone they love. Written for two- and three-year-olds, the story uses clear language, warm illustrations, and developmentally appropriate explanations to help children learn what death means, why sadness is natural, and how love continues even after someone has died. The text is designed to be personalized, with select words printed in red to cue caregivers to insert the name and pronouns of the person who died so the story can reflect each family's unique experience.

A detailed Note to Parents and Caregivers offers additional guidance on how to talk with very young children about death, respond to difficult questions, navigate funerals or memorials, and create meaningful ways to remember the person who died. The note supports adults who may be grieving themselves while helping a child feel safe, understood, and reassured.

Key Features

• Developmentally Appropriate Language Explains death in simple and concrete terms for two- and three-year-old children.
• Emotional Reassurance Helps children understand that sadness is normal and that their love for the person who died continues.
• Personalized Storytelling Red color-coding allows adults to insert relevant names and pronouns to match the child's experience.
• Practical Caregiver Support Includes a detailed Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidance for conversations, questions, funerals, and remembrance.
• Trusted Publisher From Magination Press, the children's imprint of the American Psychological Association, experts in child development and emotional well-being.

Review Quotes

"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 her on Instragram: @KimFlemingIllustration and Twitter: @lilkimfleming.