~ĭeath is Stupid covers a lot of important conversations, such as the idea that many struggle with the concept of death and have an even harder time properly expressing the idea of death to children. Okay, so maybe I didn't love this children's book as much as everyone else. It is to such children, and to those who work with them, that I would recommend Higginbotham's work. That said, having now read through it, I do think Death Is Stupid would be a helpful book to use in working with grieving children. I confess that I initially found the title a bit off-putting, although I understand that it is meant to reflect the child's own perspective.
As such, it is not a title I would normally pick up, if we were not hosting the author for an event at work. The second in Anastasia Higginbotham's Ordinary Terrible Things series, which is (according to the author's website) intended to "advance children’s right to safety, power, and respect-at home, in their beds, in all their relationships, at school, in the hospital, on sidewalks wearing a hoodie, and everyplace else," this brief picture-book is less of a story than an overt work of bibliotherapy. Remembering is particularly emphasized as a means of coping. The experience of grief is explored, as are some actions children can take to help with the healing process. The main narrative is calmly factual - "When a loved one dies people can say some stupid things" - while accompanying speech bubbles contain exchanges between the boy, the narrator, and various other people (who are not seen on the page). With a simple text and collage artwork, Death Is Stupid follows a young boy as he grapples with the reality of loss. In these stories of common childhood crises, help may come from family, counselors, teachers, or dreams-but crucially, it's the children themselves who find their way to cope and grow.
The Ordinary Terrible Things series shows children who navigate trouble with their senses on alert and their souls intact.
Necessary, beautiful, and ultimately reassuring, Death Is Stupid helps make death a little less scary-for kids and adults. It takes him some time, but when he starts sharing cherished memories of his grandma and working in her garden, he starts to feel just a little bit better. Caught in the swirl of anger, confusion, and fear that accompanies grief and mourning, he doesn't just think death is unfair-he thinks death is stupid. When someone we love dies, adults often say things like, "She's in a better place now," or "I know how you feel." You do not, one little boy thinks after his grandma passes away. Part of the Ordinary Terrible Things series, the new and expanded edition of Death Is Stupid is an invaluable tool for discussing death, exploring grief, and honoring the life of our loved ones.
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