Third Age Press bookstore - books for a time of regeneration

Talking to My Gran About Dying

by Gina Levete
original illustrations by Philip Jordan
64 pages 245mm x 190mm
A book for young people ~ to engage with adults ~ to stimulate discussion, share thoughts, ideas and anxieties to do with death.

ISBN 978-1-898576-17-4

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gina Levete has a background in dance but has worked extensively in the field of the artistic needs of disabled and disadvantaged people in the UK.
She is the founder of Shape UK– an organisation to provide artistic opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people and Interlink – an international free advisory service to help other countries make the arts more accessible to disadvantaged and disabled people within their communities.
Publications include: No Handicap To Dance
The Creative Tree
Letting Go of Loneliness
and main contributor to Meditation in Schools – calmer classrooms

Gina Levete is available for interview.
She can be contacted via Email: g.levete@btinternet.com

This book is aimed at children (mainly aged 8 – 12) but needs the engagement of an adult . The purpose of the book is to open up the subject of death in a way that encourages discussion and debate in the classroom or home.
AT HOME: Parents, grandparents and carers can read this book with children. Older children may prefer to read it on their own. An adult may wish to read the book to help develop his or her own way of talking to a child about death and dying.
IN THE CLASSROOM: In a group, pupils can read the book all the way through or talk by talk. Then, under the guidance of a teacher they can share their thoughts, beliefs and concerns, as well as learn about those of their peers. Alternatively, discussion could be based on the children’s written input which could be read out (anonymously, if preferred) to stimulate discussion. Within the curriculum, it fits in the fields of philosophy for children, critical thinking and Personal Health and Social Education (PSHE).

The questions that Will discusses with his Gran include:
Why do people have to die?
Where do people go when they die?
Why do people have to die when they are not old?
Is it OK to forget people and pets who have died?
. . . and the book provides:
Suggestions on how grown-ups can share this book with kids
And useful information about other books and details of help groups

Gina Levete has created a much needed resource that will help teachers to stimulate genuine debate around loss, death and bereavement . . . an invaluable stimulus for genuine, calm, dialogue.
Jenny Mosley, Educational Consultant

Death is something of a taboo subject in our society and no more so than when talking with children. This book is precisely what they (parents and teachers) need. It shows that children do not require answers but the opportunity to think about such matters with adults they can trust. Talking to my Gran About Dying is a resource that can promote meaningful and safe conversations that children will value.
Clive Erricker, joint author, The Education of the Whole Child

It is always wonderful to witness an older person linking up with a child to share their  wisdom and curiosity on BIG stuff. This interesting book shows us how young Will and his delightful Grandmother explore their ideas on dying and bereavement. It would be a useful resource to a primary teacher or caring adult wanting to facilitate a discussion so children can safely develop their own thoughts and feelings about a very big and important subject.
Julie Stokes OBE – Founder of Winston’s Wish , the leading charity for Bereaved Children

Price includes postage and packing. Please choose your location: UKOutside the UK

Price: £8.50