Not If But When: Books for young people about death and loss

NOT IF BUT WHEN: BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT DEATH AND LOSS

One in seven children lose someone important to them before they are 18, and yet, we often shy away from talking with children about death.

If you are worried about how to talk about death with children and youth, you’re not alone. Books provide a way to begin these conversations.

Representatives from the Palliative Care Institute, the Whatcom County Library System and Western Washington University Libraries have collaborated to share information about some of the books that address grief and loss.  

We’ll talk about developmental phases of grief through childhood and adolescence and share some of the ways books can be used successfully to open doors for conversations on these topics with children and youth.

This event is free and open to the public.

PRESENTERS:

Thom Barthelmess, Youth Services Manager, Whatcom County Library System

Sylvia Tag, Curator, Children’s Literature Collection, Western Washington University Libraries

Marie Eaton, Director, Palliative Care Institute, Woodring College of Education, Western Washington University