Grief is Like a Snowflake: A Picture Book About the Death of a Loved One

I have used this book many different ways. One time as a Hospice therapist I read it and invited families to make memorialization ornaments to honor the people in their lives who had died. Another time, I used it as the basis of a conversation where we made paper snowflakes. This book is a long grief book, which can be challenging for children & students to read. Instead, sometimes I just use the illustrations and some of the words for the children to tell their story.

Great story, if a little long. You can tell they reused the pictures on some pages, but the kids didn't notice. Used for a kids summer camp activity discussion emotions. Great to pair with any snowflake craft ideas.

Working with children in grades K-4, I unfortunately had several who lost a parent. I ordered this book for one little boy in particular and he loved it. We both cried the first time I read it to him (and the 2nd time....). It helps explain the process of grief in a way a young child can understand and let them know it's okay to be sad, mad, confused, and all the emotions that go along with grieving. This little 8 year old would come and ask me to read this book to him t/o the school year--I even ordered a copy for him to have. Lovely book told from the perspective of a little evergreen whose dad is chopped down.

Book explains why grief is different for different people. Beautiful thoughts and pictures in a Mom/s Choice short book.

Had planned to use this in therapy w elementary age kids. I don't like the book and dont use t bc it's too abstract, doe st help kids talk about loss. The plot was confusing and not helpful in grief talk. I do however like the workbook! I have adapted the activities over and over to fit individual needs. Definitely recommend the workbook, not the story book though.

Although I bought this for our children, this book also speaks to me in a deeply comforting way. The story is exquisitely nuanced and holds feelings so tenderly. It describes loss with a metaphor that is not threatening or too intense for young children, yet direct enough to be healing.It approaches a loss with clarity while also not obscuring the possibility of other losses in life. Yet the author soothes those fears with the gentle rhythms of the story. I found myself quietly choking up as I read it. The beauty and hope that came through held so many layers of meaning for me. I really appreciate the perspective that it gives our children (even on pet loss,) but I also appreciate the solace it offers me for my own losses.This is a remarkable book and I wish that all parents could have this for their children.

I tried to read to a classroom of kids after their teacher died and I really regret that I did not thoroughly read beforehand. I assumed that it would be a great book because all of the other Julia Cook books are. Big mistake on my part - this one is REALLY not well thought out when it comes to helping children understand and cope with death.First of all it's confusing - two story lines that switch suddenly with no warning - I thought mine was missing pages, but no, that's the way it is. I, an adult, could not figure out the story line - there was no hope for the kids.Secondly, the second story line is of the "daddy tree" who is gone/dead talking to another tree at a Christmas tree lot - which is super confusing to kids after we've just explained that someone who dies is gone and will not come back. It makes it seem like the dead person is just fine, hanging out somewhere else, making new friends. My guess is that it is supposed to symbolize an afterlife or heaven, but it's so abruptly done and strange that it doesn't read that way at all.Thirdly, I really hope this whole classroom of kids does not now break down at Christmas time when it's time to get a tree thinking they are killing the daddy tree.There's just...a lot wrong with this book and I feel like it does more harm than help for grieving kids. I'm trashing mine, and I HATE to throw a book away. Almost any other kids' book on death and grief does a better job.

It's Julia Cook, I can't say anything bad. This book has helped my children (ages 8 and 10 now) to try and accept / become more comfortable with all of the competing emotions which surround the death of any loved one, wether it's a person or an animal.

Fantastic writing

Work

This book is a good effort at helping little ones with grief. The illustrations were a bit too busy and the message seemed a little lost in them.