Ida, Always

This book is exceptional! It is one of the only books I have found that gently explains what happens when someone is dying in a way that kids can understand. And really importantly it shows how it is ok to feel a million emotions, angry, sad, reflective etc etc and yet still have fun and laugh. I wish I had found it last year when I was trying to help my daughter understand what was happening, and what to expect, as her grandfather was dying.There are many great books around to support children after the death of a loved one but this is almost unique in starting earlier on that journey. It is also applicable to any terminal illness rather than being specifically about cancer. As a society I believe we need to talk more openly about death and dying, and this book would make a great starting point for opening up a conversation with kids of any age. I suspect a lot of adults could also benefit from reading it! It brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips.

I bought this book to help my 4 year old understand his daddy's death and it was great. It gives a real understanding of how you feel when someone is gone but reminds you that they'll always be with you. It has nice bright images and a playful yet informative story. I feel it delivers the message in a gentle way which is what i'm looking for.

Very good resource to use with my little boy to explain what’s happening with a close family member who is terminally ill

A really lovely book and would help any child experiencing love and loss. Brought a tear to my eye and then a smile.

Beautiful book about terminal illness based on true story.

The most beautifully written book.

A beautiful telling of two polar bear friends who have to deal with health decline and death.. A great talking point for children and adults about the feelings associated with watching someone's end days, and the grief and sadness afterward. I purchased this for my adult friend who lost her mother and her two young children to read together.

This book is so sweet. My daughter loves it and it was so subtle with how it touched on the death of someone dear. Of all the books we have, this one got to my little one who had her Nana and best friend pass. They were with each other every day since birth. The most they had been apart was a week. And they both complained it was to long.This book made my daughter comfortable to ask questions and not feel bombarded by the topic completely. It really was a gentle way to handle it.Would recommend to others.Every child is different though. What is great for mine may not hit the target for another. I hope anyone who is buying these books finds peace with their grief and finds something to help them with the adjustment. Grief doesn't go away you just learn different ways of handling it.

For our 3y old to understand death and a beloved one passing away... This was the most gentle but also understanding way for him. We would always buy it again!

Ooooh, Ida Always. You make me cry but I love you so. As a grown woman the first time I read this I was a blubbering mess, but it is so beautifully written and so perfect for explaining that those who leave are with us in our hearts and memories of them. We got it for our young kids to pave the way for the loss they will one day have to face with grandparents, pets, ect…as a prep tool, and purchased a second for a friend’s daughter who recently lost her dad to illness. They also loved it and have said how beautiful and helpful it has been. Can not recommend enough.

Very subtle messaging and sad but lovely and kind messaging. Would highly recommend to help kids with the death of a loved one