Let's Talk About When Someone Dies
ISBN13
9781472955340
Review published
25/02/2019
By Reviewer
Nikki
Star Rating
By Author / Illustrator
Molly Potter
Age range(s)
5+
Review
In Let's Talk About When Someone Dies, Molly Potter and Sarah Jennings bravely and boldly take on a subject that we would all feel apprehensive about reading to young children. This is a picture book written in a non-fiction style on starting conversations with children about death and bereavement.
Potter and Jennings seem to have thought of everything or as best as anyone can with regards to this topic. Potter talks directly to children using clear, easy-to-understand language to answer complex questions about death and how a child might feel when someone dies. Children are at the heart of this book and you can clearly see that Potter is passionate about getting this right, being honest with the reader whilst remaining sensitive.
This book is well thought out and, in my opinion, pitched just right for its audience. The engaging illustrations and gentle guidance/explanations make this book one that can be read and understood alone or shared with a supportive adult. Each double page spread explores a different question a child might have about death, outlining the facts and exploring how children might feel or react to this. Most pages also include an 'It's important to know' bulletin, with additional information addressing any misconceptions or puzzling thoughts children might have at this point in the book. The diverse characters on each page are relatable with detail to facial expressions that children will resonate with, irrespective of the text.
I like how this book has been broken down into manageable chunks and follows a meaningful chronological order to support children making sense of the process. Initially I was taken aback with Potters overt use of the words 'dead people'; as adults, we tend to avoid such blunt wording but as you move on through the book there is a perfect example of how Potter seems to have thought of everything as she introduces 'different words for death' as a subject heading. When you get to this page in the book, you are put more at ease as you begin to understand Potters reasons for her chosen language and her dedication to keeping the information true and manageable for children.
The final pages of the book provide guidance for parents and carers in order to get the most out of the book. I would advise both teachers and parents to read any such book like this themselves first to ensure you are comfortable with its content and that it is suitable for the children you are sharing it with. I would highly recommend this book to all ages who have been bereaved to read as the content is brilliantly supportive and tender.
32 pages / Ages 6+ / Reviewed by Nikki Stiles, teacher
