Rosie: Coming to Terms with the Death of a Sibling

Josh: Coming to Terms with the Death of a Friend

Both published by Barnabas, BRF, 2005, price £5.99 each

A Christian primary teacher and a play therapist were asked for their comments on these two attractively presented and illustrated hardback books intended for children coming to terms with loss and its associated feelings. Their comments about each book were as follows:

Rosie

“This sensitively written book made both reviewers empathise with the characters so much that they both cried. The sub-plot of a lamb was very helpful, and they were delighted with the quality of the conversation between Jenny and her mother, not least the time when the mother paused and “didn’t speak for quite a while…there were tears in her eyes”.

They found it rather strange that there was no mention of funerals, presumably as a conscious decision, and wondered what happened next. Younger children would find this OK but those aged 10-11 would probably want more detail. In either case the book would provoke relevant discussion.

The play therapist wondered whether more could be made of Jenny’s feelings. “She felt sad: but what about anger, resentment and possible feelings of guilt?”

Josh

“There were lots more questions asked in this book and there was mention of funerals. As with Rosie the book presents emotion as a good thing and both adults and children cry. Josh pulls off the wallpaper at one stage.

“In both books there are imaginative links with the animal world (lambs in Rosie, a hamster in Josh). The illustrations for both books are soft and realistic.
They are a good resource for parents and Sunday School teachers, but would not be suitable in some schools (like that of the teacher reviewing the books) because they mention Jesus.”

These comments confirm that the growing Barnabas range of books and materials is consistent in its quality of content and production, and deserves a wide readership.

Reviews co-ordinated by Dr Keith J. White