The Next Place by Warren Hanson and Bibliotherapy Booklist

Posted by Keliesha Sunday, July 8, 2012 3:03 PM



As a Child Life Specialist the thing that can be the most challenging is when a child dies.  While we have been professionally trained in helping children and families cope with death and dying, it still can be a challenge and it definitely my least favorite thing to do.  However, when it happens, I know that my role is to help the child or family I am working with.  Knowing what my role is and focusing on that allows me to better help the families and is also my way of coping with what could be the most difficult thing in their lives.

This particular book, The Next Place by Warren Hanson, has been a favorite tool of mine when helping families cope with death.  It is often given to families after their child dies and is often used with siblings or other children involved to help them understand and cope.  Waldman House Press, described The Next Place as a book that "...brings gentle verse revealing a safe and welcome destination free from earthly hurts and filled with wonder and peace.  A comforting message of hope and a gift of compassion for the bereaved".  I love this book so much because it is so general and non-offensive to all religions, races, creeds, and backgrounds.

It is also special to me in particular because it was given to my family in early 2000 when my younger cousin, Dexter, lost his battle with cancer.  It still sits in the curio cabinet at my grandmothers house and means a lot to myself and my family.  I encourage all of you to read this book or share it with someone you know that has a child trying to cope with the loss of a loved one.

Bibliotherapy is amazing and works wonders for children!  It gives them the opportunity to see someone else going through what they are experiencing, clears up any misconceptions they may have, and also helps parents communicate with their children by opening up the door for conversation.

Here is a link to books on several different topics that you all may find useful!

CLICK HERE FOR BIBLIOTHERAPY BOOK LIST

~Kels~

3 Response to "The Next Place by Warren Hanson and Bibliotherapy Booklist"

  1. Unknown Says:

    July 13, 2012 at 6:32 AM

    My daughter is a nurse out in Colorado. While in school she met and worked with a Child Life Specialist. She was so excited about the experience. She knows my passion for Head Start, but has encouraged me to check with our two children's hospitals if I ever wanted to change careers. I am going to read this book.

  2. Unknown Says:

    July 13, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Keliesha, what an important line of work!! I will get this book, another one I like is Tear Soup, it's a children's book but I found it helpful. I'd love to get your expert opinion.

  3. Anonymous Says:

    July 28, 2012 at 6:13 PM

    I loved your entry for this week's resource discussion because you have really addressed some delicate issues in the early childhood field in a positive and informative way. As a early childhood professional, you can really wrestle with trying to gauge how much of your involvement is professional and appropriate, and sometimes, parents and other family members do not feel very comfortable talking about their personal struggles within a relationship that they perceive to be professional and impersonal. Thanks for providing us with a practical resource to address some of these delicate concerns.

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