This article explores ways in which parents are represented as being involved with children in death and loss experiences. These representations are taken from 46 selected examples of death-related literature designed to be read by or with children. The main goal for us is to ask how parents are portrayed in these books and how their interactions with children are depicted. Since parents usually bear primary responsibility for the care of their children, they are ordinarily expected to share their experience and insights with their children, and to help children cope with death and loss. What do they do and how do they help (or not help) children in this body of literature?
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CorrC. A. (Ed.). (2004a). Death-related literature for children [Special issue]. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 48(4).
2.
CorrC. A. (2004b). Bereavement, grief, and mourning in death-related literature for children. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 48(4), 337–363.
3.
CorrC. A. (2004c). Spirituality in death-related literature for children. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 48(4), 365–381.
4.
CorrC. A. (2004d). Grandparents in death-related literature for children. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 48(4), 383–397.
5.
CorrC. A. (2004e). Pet Loss in death-related literature for children. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 48(4), 399–414.
6.
CorrC. A. (2006a). Selected literature for children: Annotated descriptions. In CorrC. A.NabeC. M., & CorrD. M., Death and dying, life and living (5th ed.; pp. 588–601). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
7.
CorrC. A. (2006b). Selected literature for adolescents: Annotated descriptions. In CorrC. A.NabeC. M., & CorrD. M., Death and dying, life and living (5th ed.; pp. 602–609). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
8.
KushnerH. (1993). Preface. In BreebaartJ. & BreebaartP. (Eds.), When I die, will I get better? (p. 1). New York: Peter Bedrick Books.
9.
RudmanM. K.GagneK. D., & BernsteinJ. E. (1977–1993). Books to help children cope with separation and loss (vols. 1 & 2 by Bernstein alone, 1977, 1984; vol. 3 with Rudman, 1989, vol. 4, 1993). New Providence, NJ: R. R. Bowker.
10.
SchuurmanD. L. (2004). Literature for adults to assist them in helping bereaved children. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 48, 415–424.
11.
AlexanderS. (1983). Nadia the Willful. New York: Pantheon Books.
12.
BrissonP. (1999). Sky Memories. New York: Delacorte.
13.
BuntingE. (1982). The Happy Funeral. New York: Harper & Row.
14.
BuntingE. (2000). The Memory String. New York: Clarion.
15.
CarrickC. (1976). The Accident. New York: Seabury Press.
16.
ClardyA. F. (1984). Dusty Was My Friend: Coming to Terms with Loss. New York: Human Sciences.
