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A review by originstorytoloveisdestroy
Death Is Stupid by Anastasia Higginbotham
2.0
Okay, so maybe I didn't love this children's book as much as everyone else. ~
Summary:
Death is Stupid covers a lot of important conversations, such as the idea that many struggle with the concept of death and have an even harder time properly expressing the idea of death to children. It showcases the lies or cover-ups adults might say to kids, and how those aren't helpful. It is fairly well-written, with good artistry.
Review:
I believe that this book would be wonderful for two circumstances: helping adults understand that you shouldn't lie to children and should openly be honest about the reality of death, and for helping children who grieve through anger.
To clarify, my two-star rating is not because I believe this book is poorly written, or would not be helpful. Rather, it is because the way I was raised and experienced grief is much different than what I believe to be this book's intended audience would be. I was lucky to have family that was upfront and honest about the darkness of death. In addition, I also experienced grief through melancholy and depression, entirely skipping the anger and bargaining that the "DABDA grief model" suggests. This being expressed, I can honestly say that this book would not have been helpful, but damaging to me, while grieving as a child.
I wanted to emphasize this after reading the reviews and discussing this with coworkers who experienced grief in similar ways to me, this is not a book about grieving for all children. As, no matter one's age, we all experience emotions and grief differently. Whether or not this book properly helps a child, is heavily dependent on how that child experiences grief.
Summary:
Death is Stupid covers a lot of important conversations, such as the idea that many struggle with the concept of death and have an even harder time properly expressing the idea of death to children. It showcases the lies or cover-ups adults might say to kids, and how those aren't helpful. It is fairly well-written, with good artistry.
Review:
I believe that this book would be wonderful for two circumstances: helping adults understand that you shouldn't lie to children and should openly be honest about the reality of death, and for helping children who grieve through anger.
To clarify, my two-star rating is not because I believe this book is poorly written, or would not be helpful. Rather, it is because the way I was raised and experienced grief is much different than what I believe to be this book's intended audience would be. I was lucky to have family that was upfront and honest about the darkness of death. In addition, I also experienced grief through melancholy and depression, entirely skipping the anger and bargaining that the "DABDA grief model" suggests. This being expressed, I can honestly say that this book would not have been helpful, but damaging to me, while grieving as a child.
I wanted to emphasize this after reading the reviews and discussing this with coworkers who experienced grief in similar ways to me, this is not a book about grieving for all children. As, no matter one's age, we all experience emotions and grief differently. Whether or not this book properly helps a child, is heavily dependent on how that child experiences grief.