I Can't Believe They're Gone - A kid's grief book that hugs, helps, and gives hope
ISBN: 978-0-6454975-4-0
Publication Date: August 2023
Author: Karen Brough
Part of the Be Held By Him series
In this award-winning picture book, Bear guides a grieving mouse family through loss. Each member, including quiet Tiny, expresses their feelings uniquely.
"I Can't Believe They're Gone" offers gentle support for young hearts, exploring grief stages and coping mechanisms.
Endorsed by professionals, it reassures children that all emotions are valid and shows them they're not alone.
This touching story provides hope and healing for families navigating loss together.
My son's favorite grief book. We lost my husband last year. There have been a handful of books I have purchased but this one brought my 8yo (now 9) peace about the different feelings of grief. He couldn't tell me exactly why he liked it but I believe it's that everyone feels differently and the repeating line of, 'feelings aren't good or bad, they just are.' I think it allowed him to give himself permission to feel whatever he is feeling. At one point we were reading it every day because it just helped him.
- Lily
"I recently purchased this book after it was recommended by a friend. It tells the story of a family of mice coping with a recent death. I work in bereavement, and the way the story presents grief as unique to each individual and normalizes feeling whatever you are feeling is great. While this book is written for children, the story would also be encouraging for readers of all ages dealing with loss. I highly recommend this book."
- Hilary
As a counselor who spent over 20 years working in schools I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a resource for guiding a child through loss (it's helpful for the adults, too!) Thank you to the author and illustrator for this beautiful book!
- G T