You Will Be Okay: Find strength, stay hopeful and get to grips with grief
by Julie Stokes, illustrated by Laurène Boglio
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 9+
Published by Wren & Rook (Hachette), 2021
About this book
This gentle guide for children experiencing feelings of grief and loss is written by Julie Stokes, a clinical psychologist and founder of childhood bereavement charity Winston's Wish.
The death of a loved one is a turbulent, often traumatic time for anyone, but it can be incredibly hard for children and young people to be able to navigate the complex feelings that arise from it – as well as being difficult for grown-ups and friends to know how best to talk to them about what they’re experiencing. You Will Be Okay helps children find strength, stay hopeful, and process their feelings in a healthy way by separating the different ways and feelings of getting to grips with grief into simple chapters: focusing on exercising our ‘grief muscles’, developing confidence, trust, and resilience, and learning to let go in our own time whilst being kind to ourselves.
There are practical exercises throughout the book, like going through and writing down the different types of memories you associate with the person you’ve lost; inspiring stories from people who have experienced the death of a loved one; and a brilliant list of resources for finding further support, should you need it.
A comforting, honest book and an invaluable guide for children, young people and adults coping with grief.
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