Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute?: Explaining (sudden) death in words very young children can understand

by Elke Barber, Alex Barber

Overview

When we were on a No Girls Allowed! holiday, my daddy's heart stopped beating and I had to find help all by myself. He was very badly broken. Not even the ambulance people could help him...

This honest, sensitive and beautifully illustrated picture book is designed to help explain the concept of death to children aged 3-7. Written in Alex's own words, it is based on the real-life conversations that Elke Barber had with her then three-year-old son, Alex, after the sudden death of his father. The book provides reassurance and understanding to readers through clear and honest answers to the difficult questions that can follow the death of a loved one, and carries the invaluable message that it is okay to be sad, but it is okay to be happy, too.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785921063
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	07/21/2016
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Elke Barber's life changed in April 2009 when her husband Martin suffered a fatal heart attack. Aged only 34, she found herself a young widow and a single mum to two kids under four. A self-employed graphic designer and long-time lover of children's books, she decided to share their story to help others in similar situations. Using the conversations she had with her then three-year old son, together they wrote Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute? and What Happened to Daddy's Body? - both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She is now happily remarried, a mum and step mum to seven children, soulmate to John and a public speaker who is passionate about improving the bereavement support for young children. If you want to find out more about Elke and her family, please visit www.isdaddycomingback.com

Alex Barber is now ten years old. He was only three when his daddy died. He misses him every day, and will never stop missing him. He loves Doctor Who and his favourite hobby is football. He helped his mum Elke write Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute? and What Happened to Daddy's Body? by asking the many direct and difficult questions only a young child can ask. He calls his mum's new husband 'Dad' (not 'Daddy'!), and says he is lucky because he has two dads, only one of them can't be here.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2016
K-Gr 3—This therapeutic book on parental death contains precise language and playful cartoon illustrations that add some levity to the somber topic. The mother-and-son authors experienced firsthand the loss of their husband and father, respectively. When Alex was three years old, he went on an overnight camping trip with his dad, who died suddenly without any prior indication of illness. Witnessing this event was traumatic for Alex, but as a now 10-year-old kid, he successfully re-creates the voice of his younger self and relates the way that his mother helped him. "Where is Daddy?" "Why won't he come back?" and "Is his leaving my fault?" are just some of the questions Alex poses—and certainly the kind of questions most children would ask. His mother answers each one patiently and truthfully. The text and illustrations convey the important role of relatives, friends, and teachers who provide comfort and support. The Barbers establish the theme of acceptance while acknowledging the lasting impact of death. VERDICT Comprehending the death of a parent is difficult for anyone to grasp; children directly affected by such a tragedy will benefit from the simple and concrete explanations offered in this book.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

School Library Journal

A beautiful book that will undoubtedly help so many; I would highly recommend it.

Richmond's Hope Bereavement Project

Finding a book on sudden death suitable to be read with a pre-school child is very difficult; this one fills the gap admirably.

The Child Bereavement Charity

Throughout the book, love, sadness and grieving together are entwined, and the final message of: 'It's okay to be sad but it's okay to be happy too' gives the message I think all child bereavement practitioners would want to give a grieving child.

Cruse Bereavement Care

A young person experiencing death is more common than we imagine. This book addresses the issue with courage, honesty and truthfulness.

Grief Encounter Project

When Elke, his mum, went looking to books for answers, she found nothing, except more emptiness. An incredibly determined individual, she recognised a need to share her story.

Oliver Jeffers

It embodies the best in writing and illustration for children.

Healthy Books

I can think of no better way to communicate with a very young child about a sudden death. This book will be highly recommended on our suggested reading list.

Winston's Wish