*Review* A Message for Grandpa by Julie Guardado

Genre: Children's Illustrated

Published: December 3, 2015

Pages: 40

Synopsis

A Message for Grandpa explores the emotions and actions surrounding the first death in the family. Told through the eyes of a toddler, the story helps children understand and cope with the topic of death. Grief, loss, and moving forward after a loved one dies is explained gently and with compassion.

Review

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program in the hopes that I would leave an honest review.

I cannot imagine having to tell either of my children that one of their grandparents has passed away and they are approximately the same age as the boy in this story, I think. Just thinking about that while reading had me in tears. I feel like this book would be helpful if I did have to explain that to them though. It shows several different ways of dealing with grief and affirms that they are all valid forms of expression. And when you're in the midst of your own grief, those things may evade you, so this would help. 

My 6 year old says it's a good book and it made him happy because it's a good book. (He started crying when I asked him how he would feel if he was the boy in the book, so I'm not so sure the book actually made him happy.) 

My 4 year old says, "It was good and if my grandpa died I would be sad and I would cry." (She is better at verbalizing her emotions than her brother is.) She didn't like the picture of the scary monster though.

Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it explains grief and mourning in language children can understand. - Katie 

Buy the Book

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About the Author

This is Julie Guardado's first children's book. Guardado's first book, "Birth of A New J: A Cathartic Memoir," won her an International Latino Book Award for Best eBook Non-fiction 2015. She devotes the majority of her free time to writing her third book, "Conducting The King". Aside from writing, she enjoys learning about the cosmos. She currently works as a Registered Nurse in Sacramento, California.