Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying

I purchased this book for my three year old daughter when her aunt (and care-giver) was diagnosed with cancer and we lost her in three short months. It was so difficult to explain to her why she couldn't see her anymore and what had happened. Of the three books I purchased this has been the most helpful for her. My daughter was able to grasp the meaning of the book and how it relates to her own loss. She asks me to read it to her all the time and likes to talk about her aunt as we read it. I like how the author uses nature to explain death, it is a nice compliment to the discussion of heaven, which has been too difficult for her to grasp.One of the reasons I selected this book was that it was one of the few stories for younger children that didn't involve a parent. I was worried that introducing that idea would cause her to fear losing my husband or I, so avoiding that was also positive for us. The book is truly a lovely story and after reading it know I would have included it in her library even if this family loss had not required it.The other two books I ordered, Tear Soup and Waterbugs and Dragonflies, were a little too mature for her to understand but they have been good conversation starters for my nine year old and recommend them as well.

I bought this book to help my older son (6) cope with his grandmother's cancer. It describes a willow tree and it's friendship with a smaller tree and a squirrel. When willow tree gets sick, its friends have to understand that it is a sick that does not go away and how they can help willow tree come to terms and be happy in its last days. A touching comparison to many real life cancer stories. It has helped my 6 year old ask questions about grandma's sickness and I feel it has given him a better understanding. My 3 year old also loves this book, though doesn't understand yet that grandma is sick.

It was so hard to buy this book and read it to my three year old as my father was passing from cancer, but I did it because of the other well written reviews. I really thought it was well-crafted and had a good message that we could talk about after as much as I was willing to/ready to expand on. I like the way the end leaves readers feeling hopeful that someone's memory will live on after death. You will most likely cry. Just warning you. Read it once before reading it to littles unless you have a more solid composure than me.

Very cute book with beautiful illustrations, but NOT a book to discuss death, in general, with kids. This book is to discuss death with terminally ill children.

This was a nicely written sweet story. It delt with a difficult topic - helping a child cope with the death of a loved one. This would be a good book for a family facing a health concern/issue resulting in the death of the person. I was looking for a book to help process the sudden unexpected death of a young dad with 3 children under the age of 9 years. Gentle Willow will have a place in my library.

Exceptional reaource for kids living with a terminally ill parent. I kept looking for a book that dealt with active dying. Not “oh she got better from cancer”Or what to do when someone dies. Rather a book for children that deals with the process of death in a gentle way. This is a perfect resource for therapists and caregivers alike.

I bought this for my 5 year old son when my grandmother died, and my niece was diagnosed with cancer. I think it's a wonderful story, especially for anyone close to someone with an illness. It explains how even though the person's appearance may change, they're still the same person. And that after that person leaves us, we can still remember them, and see them in the beauty of every day.

An excellent book for kids and adults too. Great for before the death and after. My 6 and 11 year old reread it often and we have given it to a dozen other kids faving grief. Feedback is always best ever. Highly recommend reading at any time, no death near, death coming or post dying. I keep extras on hand to give away.

I read this book to my four year old daughter whose auntie is very ill and will probably die in the next few weeks. It's a beautiful story. So well written and the pictures are lovely. It tells the story of a tree that gets very ill and a little squirrel who is worried about the tree and sad that nobody can help it.So far the best kids book about death I've read.

Chose this book as it was colourful and easy for a child to understand when counselling in the bereavement sectorA variety of sections to work with children of all ages

A lovely story book that may help with explaining death to a child. Beautifully presented.

An excellent book for describing the process of dying very simply to children. It helped my little boy of 3 and a half understand his grandma's death and how, even though she's no longer here, we can still remember her. I found it therapeutic to read it too!

Just what I needed to help my 6yr old daughter come to terms with the death of my dad. Recommended