Badger's Parting Gifts: A picture book to help children deal with death

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Using a story within Religious Education is very common within the younger years of primary education as numerous children’s books explore a message or moral which is an important area of this subject.

Ruim 15 jaar geleden las ik dit boek voor aan mijn kinderen om ze voor te bereiden op het overlijden van mijn moeder. They don't know how to handle their grief, but as the days go by, they each begin to remember special things Badger taught them to do, and they take comfort in those abilities and exchange stories of happy days with Badger. i can think of no better way to do this than to read books like these (when appropriate) to open up children's minds to sensitive subjects. The publisher, Andersen, has also produced these resources in association with the charity Child Bereavement UK [PDF], which are aimed at helping to use the book with bereaved children.

This may then help children to grasp and have a clearer understanding of the sensitive subject matter of death. I can imagine this would be a comforting read and would help to find some positive thoughts amongst the grief. Beautifully written book, really helped my four year old talk and understand the fact our family dog has died. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of this quintessential and multi award-winning picture book about losing a loved one.

His friends are obviously very upset but as life goes on they start to share good memories about badger and begin to dwell on the happy thoughts rather than the sadness. Bill and his Grandma look through an album containing old photographs - a touching story about a young boy's special relationship with his grandparents. Badger knows within himself that it is time to die and lets his friends know that he will "go down the Long Tunnel". I definitely feel that due to the sensitivity of the subject being explored in the text it’s key that a similar approach is taken by the class teacher. I do believe Badger's Parting Gifts is more suited to late KS2 as there is an element of empathy that some children will be able to relate to from the written text.the story does not have too many words and is not too heavy or intense thus its perfect for young children.

It has a sweet but sensitive message throughout about how his friends left behind think of all the wonderful things badger did for each of them, and everytime they think of badger its in a positive light. It left me with a lump in the throat, and I would have no qualms at all about recommending it to any child.As Badger's friends remember all the things he taught them, I was reminded of everything my dad taught me.