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Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying
Amanda the squirrel is upset that she is going to lose her friend Gentle Willow, but the tree wizards give advice that help both her and Gentle Willow accept the change that comes with death.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 2, 2022
This book is intended to help children understand and cope with death and dying, whether this affects them directly, or someone they love. As hard as it is to lose someone we care about, this book may help to ease distress and bring comfort to those who are experiencing this difficult part of the life cycle.
February 2, 2020
very nice and sweet, although i thought the ending was a bit abrupt (trees generally take a long time to die.)
September 28, 2021
I lost my grandma grandma and in this book Amanda is going to lose a best friend.
January 11, 2014
When Amanda the squirrel and Little Tree find out that their friend, Gentle Willow, has a sickness that the wizards of the forest cannot cure, they comfort her in her final days. Gentle Willow is afraid to go through the change of death, but Amanda comforts her by telling her the story of the metamorphosis of the yellow butterflies that grace her branches. This book addresses the change and permanence with sensitivity and language that children can understand. 32 pages.
Resources: The book includes an introduction for parents at the beginning. The note for parents at the end addresses talking to children about their illness, as well as the child’s feelings. There are also two exercises for coping.
Resources: The book includes an introduction for parents at the beginning. The note for parents at the end addresses talking to children about their illness, as well as the child’s feelings. There are also two exercises for coping.
July 1, 2014
This is an excellent book for all children about death. I read it with my youngest who is struggling to understand why her father died. The first thing that I hope she learned from the reading is that things change and, while we may not always like that change, it is for the better. I asked her to picture her daddy healthy and happy and new in Heaven with Jesus. The second thing I hope she learned from the reading is that the people we love never really leave us if we keep them in our hearts and our memories. The two main characters in this book, Amanda and Little Tree, never really lose Gentle Willow because they love and remember her.
September 5, 2012
Someone came into our library today -needing resources to talk about a recently and suddenly deceased parent. We could not find this book on our shelf even though our records said it was checked in. Hours later, it walked through the door, unchecked out by another patron who accidentally taken it home. Anyways, the message is simple about death, it done gently and not shoved down your throat. I think it is delicately handled and will be easy for children to understand!
April 17, 2016
This book is a cute idea, but the execution is off. Some of the ideas are weird, and although it is supposed to be a metaphor for human death, the way it is presented is odd. There are many more appropriate books for teaching children about death. The only population I might recommend this to are children who are terminally ill or know someone with a terminal illness. The use of the word 'wizards' was an odd choice in this story for the doctor characters.
January 7, 2014
This is the book you hope you never have to read to your children. My son was only 3 when his T-Pa got cancer. I read this to him when we knew his grandfather was slipping away. The librarian helped me find this one and it was by far the best in explaining death to a young child. It helped prepare him without him knowing it.
October 3, 2014
One of the best book to teach children about terminal illnesses. I used this book with my children when their dad died of cancer. It is truly a beautiful book.
In the Cleft Joy Comes In the Mourning: A Story of Hope After Tragedy
In the Cleft Joy Comes In the Mourning: A Story of Hope After Tragedy
July 10, 2013
Recommended as a book for children with terminal illnesses, it could also be used as a book for anyone who knows/knew someone in hospice. Reminiscent of the stages of death book that was given to our family when my father was in hospice.
December 13, 2014
This is a great book about teaching the aspect of dying. Especially a friend dying. Children bond with Amanda the squirrel and the Gentle Willow. The go through the emotions and how all of the forest come together to help Amanda deal with the loss of her best friend.
November 20, 2016
This is a great book to teach children about death. Amanda, the main character, is sad that her tree friend is dying; however, the tree wizard helps her understand that it's time to say goodbye and that the memories will always remain the same.
November 20, 2011
Very nice story about how metamorphosis is scary but beautiful.
June 26, 2015
recommended for a child dealing with loss of a loved one.
September 3, 2016
Helping children deal with death.
February 13, 2013
one of the best books to put in a parent's hand to share with their child about dying and death!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews