Dear Yantacaw Elementary School Teachers,
As a professional working in the field of Family and Community Services, it has come to my attention how important it has become in recent years to education our children on death, dying, and the grief process. I understand how taboo this topic is because of how difficult it can be to discuss it with children and even adults. By doing some research I realized the incredible benefit reading books can have when educating children on death and the surrounding concepts of this topic. I created a reading ladder as a guide for teachers. This is a great way to open up discussions around dealing with death in an approachable way through the use of books.
The theme for my ladder was âDealing with Deathâ. I choose four picture books, three children/young adult books, one non-fiction, and one graphic novel that all encompass a part of my theme. I was inspired to create this reading ladder after reading a childrenâs novel entitles âA Monster Callsâ. In this book, the reader watches as the main character, Connor, copes with his mother dying from cancer by using his imagination. The four picture books I choose included âWhen Dinosaurs Dieâ, âBadger’s Parting Giftsâ, âUp in Heavenâ, and âThe Next Placeâ. All of these books helps children with the concept of death by explaining certain ideas and fascinations many children have regarding death through pictures and easily relatable characters. The books address feelings and emotions associated with death and explains that it is healthy for children to feel the way they do after losing a loved one.
The young adult novels all take dealing with death and grief to the next level so it can relate to older children. âH Is For Hawkâ, âBridge to Terabithiaâ, and the âFault in our Starsâ are all novels that involved teenager character who are navigating the death or dying of a loved one. âH is For Hawkâ is a novel about a young girl losing her father. After losing her father, Helen adopts and trains a goshawk. âBridge to Terabithiaâ is about a young boy who uses a fantasy land to accept the death of a close friend. The finally childrenâs novel I choose was âThe Fault in our Starsâ. This novel, in my opinion, is a challenge. However, it sends an extremely important message about death and dying. It shows children that even though death is difficult to deal with, you will always have support when moving through the grief process.
The non-fiction book and the graphic novel are the two final books I choose to include in my reading ladder. The nonfiction novel is entitled âHow it Feels When a Parent Diesâ. This is a memoir of a young girl as she copes with the death of her mother. This is great book to recommend to a teenager who is going through the same thing as the young girl in the book, in hopes of having them relate. The graphic novel, âThe Stonekeeperâ, follows a boy who uses fantasy and imagination to cope with death in his life.
This reading ladder can help parents and teachers educate, calm, and relate to children when they are dealing with death. Death is a part of life and affects everyone, including children. The way each person copes with death is different and teaching children how to effectively move through the grief process is an essential life tool. Certain children novels and stories can be helpful in explaining the concept of death. Literature can help make this topic easier for teachers to talk about and easier for children to understand.
Sincerely,
Connie-Jean Larcara
