Trying to Explain Death to Children?
Consider The Dragonfly Door, a Heartfelt Story about Loss and Change _______________________________________________________________
Customer Comments about The Dragonfly Door:
- "It's a beautiful story, put simply enough to help young people think less fearfully about death and what happens to their loved ones when they leave this life on earth. The bright pictures captivate the young eye and the sweet story holds the reader's attention. My granddaughter loves hearing me read it to her, after her grandfather died. Thank you for writing it."
- "I took my granddaughter to the Cecil Day Butterfly House at Calloway Gardens in Georgia to share the book with her. She does not share her feelings about her dad's death easily, but after we read the book, she said that she sometimes heard him talking to her just as Nym heard Lea. Thank you for that moment when she opened up a little bit."
- "The book can be interpreted on many different levels; the reader will bring to it what he or she likes or needs. The story will appeal to members of all denominations as well as to people who belong to no organized religion. Lea's "special place" can be just that, or the reader may choose to call it "heaven." The factual section on dragonflies at the end of the book adds yet another dimension. You or your child will enjoy The Dragonfly Door even if you have not lost a friend or relative. For me, the story brought back vivid memories of my own "lost" childhood. There are big life lessons in The Dragonfly Door about "loss and change," if the reader wishes to interpret the book on this level. But there are little life lessons as well."
An Independent Review:
- "The warm, emotional colors ... illustrate this highly recommended picturebook for sharing the bittersweet realities of life with young people."
-- The Midwest Book Review
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What is The Dragonfly Door?
The Dragonfly Door is a fictional story about loss and change, based on the life cycle of the dragonfly. Intended to be read to a child by an adult, The Dragonfly Door offers parents an opportunity to express their own views about life and death.
Teachers find this book useful because it encourages young children to talk about a death, loss or change. Nym, one of the main characters, grieves the loss of her friend, Lea. Some children identify with Nym and may be more willing to write or talk about a loss after hearing the story in class. An in-class discussion may also incorporate the real life cycle of the dragonfly, which is included at the back of the book.
Nym continues her life underwater with others in the marsh, still sad because she misses her friend, Lea. Through a vision or dream, Nym learns that someday she will see her friend again in a new world where Lea has gone.
Some parents and grandparents interpret Lea's transformation into a beautiful dragonfly, living in a new place, as a metaphor for heaven or as an analogy to life after death. Based on this interpretation, the core message of the story becomes one of hope for those who grieve the loss of someone.
The Dragonfly Door may serve many purposes, such as comforting a grieving child or providing facts about dragonflies. Beautifully illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson, the book is cherished by parents, grandparents and teachers.
See a child psychologist's comments to parents about this book ...
Download lesson plans for this book ...
An Excerpt from This Book:
While Nym slept, she heard Lea's voice saying, "Follow me, Nym. I'm going to show you where I am." "Will I see you again?" Nym asked. "Only when it's time for you to die too," Lea replied. "You won't see me in the marsh ever again. But let me show you what I will look like the next time you see me. Here, close your eyes." Nym closed her eyes. "Now look at me," Lea said. Nym opened her eyes and saw ...
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Summary of The Dragonfly Door ...
A dragonfly story about loss and change to help explain a loss to a child.
A beautifully illustrated book to capture a child's imagination.
A memorial gift in memory of someone special.
A bereavement tool to show children how someone grieving might feel.
A parenting tool to help parents express their views about life and death.
A teacher's story for children to help lead discussions on loss.
A story for sunday school teachers to help lead discussions on life and death.
A bereavement tool for counselors to assist in their work with children.
A metaphor for heaven to help parents and grandparents talk about life after death.
A fictional nature story to show the natural cycles of life.
A transformation story that parallels the butterfly's metamorphosis and change.