February- Book of the Month

“A lovely storybook for younger children dealing with the loss of a parent by suicide. ” – Youth in Mind

‘Luna’s Red Hat’ – Emmi Smid

It is a beautiful spring day, and Luna is having a picnic in the park with her family, wearing her Mum’s red hat. Luna’s Mum died one year ago and she still finds it difficult to understand why. She feels that it may have been her fault and worries that her Dad might leave her in the same way. Her Dad talks to her to explain what happened and together they think about all the happy memories they have of Mum.

This beautifully-illustrated storybook is designed as a tool to be read with children aged 6+ who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide. Suicide always causes shock, not just for the family members but for everyone around them, and children also have to deal with these feelings. The book approaches the subject sensitively and includes a guide for parents and professionals by bereavement expert, Dr Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers. It will be of interest to anyone working with, or caring for, children bereaved by suicide, including bereavement counsellors, social workers and school staff, as well as parents, carers and other family members.

“This is a truly wonderful book to help children understand and copy with loss through suicide. The illustrations are are simple and beautiful and Luna is a perfect example of the roller coaster of emotions that being bereaved through suicide can bring”
Lucy Coote – Rosedale’s Community Ambassador and Bereavement Support Group Facilitator in Suffolk

Professionals

“This illustrated storybook is very sensitively written. The age appropriate language used addresses many of the thoughts and feelings children bereaved by suicide may have, such as ‘why would someone you love want to leave you?’ and ‘was I to blame?’” – Gillian Harrison, Buckinghamshire Bereavement Services Team Lead ― Child Bereavement UK

“This sensitive look at suicide makes a tough topic accessible. Though it’s a beautiful spring day, Luna is feeling anything but happy. It has been a year since her mother committed suicide, and her family is having a picnic in remembrance. When Luna’s father remarks that her mother’s hat suits Luna and that she looks just like her mom, Luna becomes angry (“I am not like Mum. Because I wouldn’t just stop living when I wanted to! People you love don’t get to stop living and leave you behind!”). Her father explains that Mum didn’t want to leave but felt that she had no other choice. Most importantly, he reassures Luna that it wasn’t her fault and that it wasn’t Mum’s fault, either. After reminiscing about a funny event that happened with Luna’s mom, Luna, her father, and her younger brother watch the sun set and Luna puts the red hat back on. This very heavy topic is covered extremely well. While the text is emotionally charged, it’s always age appropriate. Dramatic, expressionistic illustrations depict Luna’s turmoil: an image of the girl standing with her head hanging against a dark background conveys her sadness, while a picture of Luna riding a violent wave against a red backdrop demonstrates her rage. A special guide for parents at the end discusses how children understand death, suggests how to inform a child about suicide, and provides examples of questions kids might have. VERDICT This book will aid caregivers in explaining a difficult topic and help children with the grieving process.” – School Library Journal

“This is the first book I have seen on specifically explaining suicide of a parent to a young child, and it is a particularly lovely one in picture and in text. There is an afterward by Dr Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers, a bereavement specialist, who explains just why it is necessary to be honest with children about suicide and who gives specific ways of presenting the information in a gentle way… The illustrations, all on a soft beige and white background, are delicately full of emotion and sometimes gentle humour too as dad deftly handles Luna’s questions. A winning picture book about a very difficult subject.” – Elzi ― Healthy Books blog

Rosedale’s Bereavement Library

Each branch of Rosedale has it’s own bereavement library where you can find all of the books in our ‘Book of the Month’ series. There are books for all ages, and all types of grief. If you would like to find out more, don’t hesitate to contact any one of our branches.

If you wish to purchase it, you can either look in your local bookstore, or order it from an online retailer such as Amazon.