Bereavement

"Ammuchi's mouth was always stained with betelnut juice, so she looked like she had been drinking blood. When she laughed, her teeth looked like she had brushed them with chilli powder. Ammuchi laughed a lot". Aditya and Anjali adore their rather off-beat grandmother, Ammuchi; they especially like listening to her magical ghost stories. When grandma dies, the family is bereft. But then, in the middle of their mourning, a mysterious orange butterfly begins to make a regular appearance, fluttering on Anjali's nose, dropping gentle kisses on her face... Anjali swears the butterfly is her grandma come back with an important message for them. A magical, soothing story by an Indian author with illustrations so bright they seem to have drained the entire colour palette! 'Such a lovely story. I like the implicit acceptance of death and sadness but the richness of memory' (Eileen, Former Teacher, LL reviewer). 'Stunning and vibrant illustrations and a wonderful story' (Jayne, Primary Inclusion Manager, LL reviewer). Age 6-9 Paperback 29pp.

"We all knew that Brodie was sick, but we thought he'd get better". So begins this story about the loss of a classmate. Brodie was an expert ear wiggler; he knew how to make fantastic farty noises; he had dreams of being a pilot; he liked to say "awesome stupendous". He often had stays in hospital and at these times his classmates would send him cards. But one day, the children are told that Brodie has died- and this time, they're invited to make cards for his parents. An award-winning book made at the request of teachers seeking bereavement books for younger children who have lost a classmate. Expertly done. 'Really lovely book. Sensitively done and not at all preachy. Most importantly it allows for a range of feelings; all valid' (Deborah, EY Education Lecturer, Letterbox Library reviewer). 'A wonderful book' (Jayne, Primary Inclusion Manager, LL reviewer). Age 5-9, Paperback 33pp

Grandpa Joe and Granny Lou used to love showing Ben their thriving garden of weeds and blooms, buzzing with bugs, birds and butterflies. They called it their 'private jungle'. But ever since Granny Lou passed away, the garden has gone still and grey. And, Grandpa Joe sits silently, in the dark, on his sofa. He can't even be temped outside by the butterflies. Can Ben bring them to him? A lovely grandparent/grandchild relationship set amidst a wider story of family conflict, transitions, healing, loss and recovery. 'A heart-warming tale of a family finding itself again after a bereavement; (Elena, Community Librarian, Letterbox Library reviewer). 'A lovely book dealing with loss and bereavement and the not too nice side of isolation and withdrawing into oneself' (Elaine, Foster Care Associates Liaison Officer, Letterbox Library reviewer). Chapter book with b&w illustrations. Age 8-12, Paperback 83pp

After her 5-year-old brother dies, Isla and her parents move away from Edinburgh to the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The move brings a new school, new friends and a legend of selkies in a wild landscape which mirror and echoes and then starts to heal the grief buried deep within each family member. Layers and currents of emotion course out of a surprisingly sparse text. We especially appreciated how Isla's father manages to be honest with her about his sadness while still wrapping her up in his warm, protective bulk. The pain of bereavement is softened by the comforting repetition of symbols, the embrace of Ray's ruby-rich and light-diffused illustrations and the graceful arc of healing which drapes over the narrative. 'A beautifully told story of the pain of grief and loss and the beginning of recovery in this loving family. Ray's illustrations-always lovely- enhance the story' (Eileen, Former Primary Teacher, Letterbox Library reviewer). [An editorial aside: It is still all too rare a thing to see portrayals of people of colour in wild, rural UK landscapes. It is so refreshing to see characters reclaim the British country paths they have been written out of. Thank you, Sita and Jane.] [Mixed Race Family] Age 8-12, Paperback 87pp

It's surprisingly hard to find bisexual protagonists in YA (young adult) / children's fiction- or at leas authentic portrayals. This novel, we feel, takes a great leap forward in bi visibility and characterisation. And it does so very incidentally. This is an absolutely thrilling read- a superb, startling, opening rushes you on through a gorgeously intricate, twisty turny, plot starring a fully-realized gutsy (female) hero. Taking on love, friendship, addiction, recovery, family, sexuality and loss, this is a murder mystery with punk and with soul. An incredible debut. Age 13+, Paperback 340pp

When a heart attack takes her young mother’s life, teenager Sarabeth suddenly becomes homeless. Reluctant to be a burden on her mother’s impoverished friends, Sarabeth bravely embarks on a search for her long-lost family and its secrets. Age 11+, American Import 210pp Paperback Themes: Bereavement

"School can be touch. Life can be tough...Glitter Boy is about allowing yourself to shine and sparkle and never giving up, even when the darkness seems to be drawing around you" (Author Ian Eagleton). Highly readable coming-of-age middle grade fiction starring 11-year-old James, creator of most extravagant dance routines, lifetime member of the Mariah Carey fan club and a staunch believer in staying fabulous. But lately, fabulousness is feeling hard to sustain with an absent mum, a taciturn dad, a changing friendship group, a beloved Nan who is getting frailer by the day and... the daily taunts of classmate Paul. And why does his tummy start to fizz when his teacher mentions his husband-to-be and...there it goes again!...when he's around new friend, Joel. An empathetic story about finding the strength to stay true to yourself in the midst of Big Life Changes and in the face of bullies. The novel's (part-autobiographical) study in homophobic bullying, internalised homophobia and the ways in which boys and men 'police' each other's gender expressions and sexuality is brilliantly conveyed. There are some nice references to queer history along the way, from the extraordinary courage of Martha P. Johnson to the shameful legacy of Section 28! The debut novel by former teacher and winner of the inaugural Polari Prize's Children's Award with picture book, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman (also available from us). 'This is a book to read more than once. Although the surface story is about bullying, it is also more nuanced. The bullying touches the parts of James that he is exploring but of which he is also most fearful' (Sylvia, former Children's Social Work Director, Letterbox Library reviewer). Age 9-13, Paperback 356pp, Paperback

Winner of the British Book Awards Nibbie for Children's Illustrated Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2023. Every summer, a child visits her seaside Grandad. Holidays with Grandad are always bursting with things to do and witness- but the best thing of all is hearing all about the adventures Grandad shared with Gramps, his partner. Grandad reminisces about Gramp's messiness, clumsiness and also his excellence at so many things. Most of all, he shares stories of their around-the-world adventures in their striped, pink camper van...a van which still lurks in the garage, now looking a little sorry for itself. Can a fix-it granddaughter bring the van and its magic adventures back to life...? A gentle story about loss, a celebration of intergenerational love and in praise of all good road trips. Age 4-7, Hardback 24pp

"Shadow Man, Shadow Man, him come get you. Shadow Man, Shadow Man, him come take you". For young readers who enjoy the thrills of goose bumps and chilled bones. Recently bereaved, Tyrese and his Mum seek solace by leaving Manchester to visit family in mountain-top rural Jamaica. But grief is slowly stripping Tyrese down, serving him up as easy prey for the malevolent island forces prowling for lost children. The hoped-for-refuge soon turns in to a Halloween yard, alive with writhing centipedes, Duppies bearing troubled souls, haggard Soucouyants draped in sagging skins, the yellow-hooved Diablesse and, spookiest of all, the Shadow Man. Can our ghostbusting heroes- Tyrese, cousin Marvin, Ellie (a.k.a. Blue Mountain Wrestling Queen) -survive this fright fest? To do so, can Tyrese stare back at his grief in all it rawness and excruciating pain? An adventure which, by turn, whips you up with ghouls and weathers and then plunges you down into an eloquent, gentle, study of grief and recovery. Also sure to make you want to look up the stars of Jamaican supernatural folklore. This is a novel whose scares are perfectly contained for a pre-teen audience without compromising on the pleasures of some gentle shudders... A delicious shock of a debut. [And do beware the Shadow Man's song...] Age 10-13, Paperback 290pp

Booktrust Best New Illustrators Award 2008 A bereaved little girl decides to put her heart away in a safe place. But will she know how to get it back? The depths of love and loss are treated with an extraordinary lightness of touch. Age 5-adult, Paperback 31pp Themes: Bereavement

A gentle exploration of bereavement through lilting, poetic text and joyful, sweeping brushstrokes of oranges, pinks, reds and yellows. A child takes her granddad's giant hand and journeys through the seasons with him exploring the first signs of spring, discovering the astrological properties of a racing track (!), capturing dreams with a rainbow pencil in a book of crinkly leaves, storytelling with snake puppet socks. When her beloved grandpa dies, she collects scattered memories from his room and then starts to write them down in the notebook he left for her, made of spring-petal paper and Indian string. A very moving story- the sadness made somehow bearable by the exquisite relationship between child and grandparents and the narrative faith in memories which gradually heal like balm. (Mixed- Asian/Black- Race Family.) Age 4-8 Paperback 28pp

A moving, but ultimately uplifting, tale of inter-generational love and the sadness of losing a beloved grandparent. Very special. Age 7-9, American Import Paperback 28pp Themes: Bereavement

"Max wasn't good at much. Every teacher he'd ever had had made that pretty clear. But Max wasn't bad at this. He was stepping up. He was being the big man, a chip off the old block; Big Pete Kowalski's little twin". Since the loss of his Mum, Max has tried to live up to being the Big Guy- a role he takes on with renewed energy when his Dad, always on this side of 'trouble', pulls off a night time disappearance leaving behind wads of cash. To protect his sisters, Max takes them off to a remote part of Snowdonia with its resident mountain dragon, setting the scene for Max to fight his inner and outer monsters. A family adventure story, spun through an exploration of 'masculinities' as one boy struggles to emulate the role model closest to home- his dad- while challenged by the other role models he encounters on his journey: the artistic, Oxfam-ified Tal and his dads, gentle Bill alongside his partner, the bearded and tattooed giant- Michael. Age 8-11, Paperback 223pp

Fox has lived a long and happy life- and now, finally, he is tired. He walks off to a clearing in the forest, lies down, falls asleep and never wakes up. One by one, Fox's woodland friends come to sit near him. And, one by one, they begin to share memories of their own special times with Fox. As they do so, a tiny seed buds into a sapling and then grows into a tree which climbs higher and higher, preserving their memories and lightening their hearts. Beautifully textured illustrations with all the tones of autumn by an internationally renowned artist. 'Always room for gentle stories like this portraying loss/memories of happy times. I really like it.' (Jayne, Primary Inclusion Manager, LL reviewer). 'The illustrations are beautiful and the text just right' (Eileen, Former Teacher, LL reviewer). Age 4-7 Paperback 26pp

Michael Rosen writes movingly of the death of his son, exploring feelings of anger and sadness as well as enjoying the happy memories. This is an original and deeply touching account of bereavement, accompanied by Quentin Blake's superb and quirky pictures. A book to treasure always. Age 8-Adult, Paperback 29pp Themes: Bereavement

A beautifully constructed coming-of-age novel. Deft storytelling combines with skilfully drawn characters, not least of which is the loveable, recently orphaned, Cameron Post, a 12-year-old discovering her sexuality in a small conservative town in 1990s Montana, USA. Sent by her religious aunt to a 'conversion' camp, creepily called 'Promise Camp', Cameron, against all the odds, merely blossoms into a confident young woman. When the publisher rep. gave us a sample to review, she described it as "the best YA book I've read". We couldn't agree more. Our own in-house reviewer called it "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit- writ large!" A wonderfully 'grownup' (but age appropriate) read for a young teen. Age 14+, Paperback 470pp

Simple text and evocative artwork combine to gently explore a child's fears and feelings after the death of a parent. Honest but reassuring. Excellent! Age 3-6, Paperback 24pp

Marcus is huge, with hands as big as dinner plates. Delilah is teeny, the size of a Christmas tree fairy. Both are mourning (an absent and a deceased parent respectively). Both are as strong and defiant as they are gentle and lost. Soon, they forge a deep alliance and share a dangerous adventure over a mysterious stray dog. A fast-paced, highly readable story which exposes at its centre the cruelty of illegal puppy farming (includes informative back notes on puppy farms). An award-winning author who also advocates for several, including animal welfare, charities. Age 8-12, Paperback 212pp

Winner Little Rebels Award 2023 Charlene loves to knit. It stills her mind. It soothes her racing heart. Especially when she has to bear her foster sibling's taunts. Especially when she longs to see her baby sister again. Especially when all of the systems seem set against her. But it's not long before the click! click! just isn't enough to contain her... It is an incredible feat that this award-winning author, famed for her satisfyingly weighty, thrillers (Orangeboy, Eight Pieces of Silva etc.), has been able to condense her passionate commitment to wide-ranging social justice issues and her intricate plots into such a slim, super-pacey novella. As ever, Lawrence's tightly observed characterisations show her compassion and respect for young people. The sometimes-infuriating, always-engaging, Charlene lies at the heart of this story, a blazing force of pent up frustrations, seeded in her by the institutions which have failed her as often as they have supported her. And so, in amongst the wise and caring actions of adults* such as foster carer Annie, social worker Vera, teacher Ms Nzegwu and lawyer Shelley, there are also the adults who underestimate her, ignore her, write her off, criminalise her and who simply don't pay her the attention she is due. We clearly see here how readily young Black girls are put at risk of adultification by our justice and welfare systems. And while, as readers, we long -like the adults in her life- for Charlene to sometimes, just sometimes, preserve herself and smooth the way by saying 'sorry', we also applaud the clarity and wit with which she exposes the hypocrisy of the (predominately adult) people around her, signed up members of the sorry-not-sorry club. A brilliantly accomplished, heart-tripping, contemporary novella which will let the young people in your life know they have been heard. [*How Lawrence is able to portray both young people and middle aged women with equal measure of authenticity, warmth and respect earns my admiration every time]. Reading Age 8+, Interest Age 11+, Paperback 128pp

Adam is a young, gifted artist struggling to find his place in a family fractured by loss and sadness. And then a mysterious older man, William, turns up on his doorstep bringing a strange but welcome comfort and an odd familiarity... Delicately written, immaculately structured, realism sparked off here and there by magic, layered with rich characterisations- it really was worth the 6 year wait for Master's new novel. A narrative that pines, yearns, pulls and aches before, finally, flooding you with warmth and immeasurable hope. (East London setting; contemporary, working class, British-Pakistani family). Age 11+, Paperback 261pp

Genevieve hates the sea. One day her dad went out to sea and never came home... So, while her imaginative play takes her on exciting journeys, she can only dream of going to the castle far away across the bay. And then along comes Cedric- is he an ogre? Or a cuddly bear? He certainly makes mum smile...And one day, he persuades Genevieve that perhaps, just perhaps, she might visit that castle after all. A hugely positive books about grief, transition and healing told, skilfully and convincingly, from a child's point of view. Binch's brilliantly realistic illustrations simply sweep across the page. This is 'real' storytelling, told with such honesty, heart and soul. 'Stunning illustrations. Powerful storytelling with emotions that can be felt throughout' (Meryl, Early Years Consultant, LL reviewer). Age 4-7, Paperback 26pp

The Race to the Top of the World! It comes around once in a lifetime, and the prize? Your heart’s desire. Sika's Grandfather is dying but the Snowfather grants wishes. Can Shen and Sika win the race to him? The path to victory is littered with snow trolls, sea monsters, and a gang of particularly hungry yetis. But Shen and Sika have something the other contestants don’t have. Actually, they have 66 other things; pugs to be exact. That’s a 264 paw-powered sled! Age 7-12, Paperback 213pp

A small child builds something. It comes crashing down. He sits hunched up on the floor, forlorn and low. Creatures rush in to 'help'. The chicken suggests chatting; the bear suggests a good roar; the ostrich suggests burying their heads in the sand... all to no avail. And then, along comes a rabbit, a quiet rabbit who simply...listens! Soon Taylor is talking, laughing, shouting and, finally rebuilding. We have seen a flurry of books recently on kindness and empathy but this one really is exquisite. Celebrates the emotional art of 'active' listening and how to adopt patience and silence in the face of someone's loss or pain. An Empathy Lab choice 2020. Age 3-7, Paperback 32pp

Absolutely beautiful, wonderfully original story about loss & recovery which no review can do justice to. 'Refreshingly superb' (Children's Centre Coordinator, LL reviewer) Age 3-8, Paperback 26pp Themes: Bereavement

"Hi Mum...I know you're always watching over me...I go to Big School today. I'm not nervous...I'll probably actually make new friends in five minutes, because I am, like, fun and interesting..." Billie's family is full of big characters: three big brothers and a Dad. But she still misses her Mum. So when she has a chance to do a school project on her mum, Billie couldn't be happier- that is, until she realises her happy family isn't quite what it seems... A fantastic young chapter book starring a mixed race lead growing up in a Black British Christian family. As always, Susie Day's work embraces inclusion in the most 'natural way, merely showing us the world as it really is. Meantime, her fresh, comic tone is a perfectly safe forum for exploring bigger ideas of social justice. (Billie's gay brother is much more than a secondary character and is a refreshing addition to the tiny handful of largely white LGBT characters in children's fiction). Age 8-11, Paperback 304pp

14 year-old Grant has a heartbreaking decision to make. Should he help his terminally ill grandfather to die? A moving, sensitive and disturbing story. Age 12+, American import 169pp Paperback. Themes: Bereavement

"So I went to live with Danny. And that's the end of a story". Lena's mum dies when she was 3-years-old after which she is raised by her older brother, Danny, and his boyfriend. Now aged 15, she wants to know more about her mother's past as a political activist, but Danny just bristles whenever she tries to discuss the past. An intense, yet upbeat and life-affirming, coming-of-age story, set against a brilliantly executed backdrop of a London under threat by the 'East End Bomber'. A real page-turner... with a conscience! How refreshing and how timely to have a book which proudly puts forward its weighty political themes and assumes, quite rightly, that young people are ready and hungry to listen and hear. A book which celebrates activism and intervention within a thoughtful, well woven, story about loss, family and the knotty business of growing up. A very exciting debut from a new talent. We're keeping our eyes on this author... 'Intelligent and thought-provoking, this is an absorbing novel and a highly impressive debut' (Books for Keeps).Age 11+, Paperback 371pp

Only a year after her mother's death, Sidonie attempts to draw together her estranged family and her own damaged self. A haunting and engrossing tale of loss and new love. Age 13+, Paperback 157pp Themes: Bereavement

"It seems worse to break a promise to the dead than it does to break one made to the living". So begins this intriguing little mystery, as old school friends gather together to fulfil a promise made five years ago- to open and share the contents of a memory box in honour of their friend who has since died of stomach cancer. With friendships made and broken, revelations, confessions, internal turmoils and reconciliations, this is the perfect stuff of pacy heart-gripping teen fiction. It also includes a nice little twist on the traditional LGBT coming out story tradition: the first person narrative belongs to Alix, a young lesbian who is nervous about this reunion- not because of her sexuality itself but, refreshingly, because she kept this a secret from her friends and fears they will feel hurt. 'I liked that this is a book in which somebody comes out without it being a coming out novel...The author has not only zoned in on a very genuine concern about coming out for many young people but also made the character and story more accessible to many readers- not just those who identify as LGBTQI...As an added bonus, the design is terrific- I felt very cool reading it on the tube!' (Mark Jennett, Equalities Trainer/Consultant, LL reviewer). From Barrington Stoke, expert publishers in reluctant-reader friendly/dyslexia-friendly fiction. Reading Age 8+ Interest 12+, Paperback 138pp