These two hardback books have a lovely design and beautiful pictures. They are sensitively and carefully worded and are aimed at children between the ages of four and about nine. The subtitle for Josh is ‘coming to terms with the death of a friend’ and for Rosie, ‘coming to terms with the death of a sibling.’

‘Josh’ is about a child whose friend dies and ‘Rosie’ is about a little girl with a terminally ill sister. They are designed to help children who want to know about dying, heaven, illness and what happens at funerals. Either or both books would be suitable to read to a child who has suffered the loss of a loved one or any child who has questions to ask about death and what happens after we die. I read them to my two older children who are six and four and they understood it all. The text answered lots of questions they have asked at various times.

What did you like about it?

I liked the way these books tackled sensitive and difficult issues head on; coffins and burial, unanswered prayer, heaven and terminal illness. It used sensible language and lovely pictures and didn’t try to gloss over or explain away the difficult bits.

What didn't you like?

Not a criticism as such, but I did feel that a good extension to this series would be a child who loses a parent or other older family member and a book which covers the loss of a baby.

I also felt that the parts about God and heaven were a little vague.

What will you still remember a year from now?

I will still remember to recommend them to people who I think may benefit from reading these with their children. I will also remember how important it is to answer questions as honestly as I can as shirking issues just creates more confusion.

Who would you recommend this book to?

I would recommend this book to bereavement counsellors, possibly hospital chaplains, parents of children in similar situations to those depicted in the book or parents of children who have been curious about death and heaven.

Can you give us a couple of good quotes from the book?

From Rosie: ‘Mum,’ said Jenny suddenly. ‘Why doesn’t Rosie feel better after a good night’s sleep? Why does everyone say that they hope she gets better soon, but she never does? Why is she always ill?’ Mum didn’t speak for quite a while. ‘Rosie may not get better,’ said Mum. Jenny looked at Mum. ‘Never?’ she asked. ‘I don’t think so,’ said Mum. There were tears in her eyes.

From Josh: ‘What happens when we die?’ Josh whispered. ‘Where is Max now?’ ‘Well,’ said Mum slowly, ‘Max’s body was so hurt that it couldn’t work any more, but the things that made Max special – his kindness and friendliness, all the things that made max who he was, which we call his spirit – have gone to be with God.’

review by Hilary 

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