Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children

by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen

Book Overview

When the death of a relative, a friend, or a pet happens or is about to happen . . . how can we help a child to understand?

Lifetimes is a moving book for children of all ages, even parents too. It lets us explain life and death in a sensitive, caring, beautiful way. Lifetimes tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between. With large, wonderful illustrations, it tells about plants. About animals...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553344021
• ISBN13: 9780553344028
• Release Date: October 1983
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.2" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 3

Customer Reviews

Another good grief book

This is on our recommended list, too -- a good way to explain loss to children. Again, I am nonplussed by the prices listed by various booksellers. Is this a scam? This book is still in print and available in paperback for $12.00 to $14.00 new.

A book about life that helps explain death

I heard about this book and decided to take a look before I needed it. I know that eventually my child will start asking questions about death, and I'd like to know what resources are available. I was particularly drawn to this title because it can be tailored to a variety of religious belief systems. I disagree with a previous poster who stated that this book teaches that there is no afterlife. The way I read it, the book doesn't take a stand either way. Being "alive" on earth is not the same thing as "eternal life" in the religions I am familiar with. No religion I know of denies that earthly bodies are alive and then they die.I like the fact that this book compares all types of organisms from plants to animals to people. The concept of a life span ties it all together. What is "in between" the beginning and ending of a life is living. I appreciate that this book emphasizes the in between, and therefore strikes a positive note.I would caution against using this book as a regular picture book for toddlers and older preschoolers because it may actually introduce the idea of death before a child is able to comprehend the explanation. However, I think it's an excellent choice for a child who is asking about death or who has recently experienced the loss of a pet, friend, or relative.

A defining book.

This book would be effective for grief therapy and for teaching about life cycles. It specifically answers the question: What is a lifetime?My daughter, age 4, had a lot of questions about death. She was most especially interested in finding out when her "dying day" would be. This book seemed to help her understand that everyone's lifetime is special to them. I wanted her to understand that because someone else died it doesn't mean her death is imminent. A common fear among the young.An exquisitely illustrated and plainly written book, it speaks clearly to the children about a complicated subject. I highly recommend it for all home and school libraries for ages three and up. It should be used as part of a comprehensive set of books on biological and familial concepts as it is not meant to answer all of a child's questions on life cycles, grief, death or dying.

Lifetimes: Not ONLY about death

After losing my wife (33 years old) two years ago, this was one of the books that was recommended to me .... and I am glad I took the recommendation. This is a GREAT book for explaining the subject of lifetimes to children, especially in the 3-5 year old range. What is great about this book and something I didn't realize at the time was that lifetimes didn't have to only related to death of people. EVERYTHING has a lifetime and it has helped my daughter in many ways. A couple months ago, when my daughter's balloon popped and she was very sad, she said "Dad, I guess my balloon's lifetime is over", and then she went to throw it away. She was sad but understood the concept that all things, living and unliving, have a lifetime. We still use the concepts today on a regular basis, and she still likes to read the book as well. HIGHLY recommended, even for those children that haven't had to deal with true loss or death yet ... at least in my opinion.

Lifetimes; A beautiful way to explain death to children

This book is a "life cycles" book. In a simple, matter of fact approach you are taken through the life cycles of different creatures - starting with smaller creatures and working up to more complex animals including humans. The presentation style is geared for children and their perspectives. The story covers death through illness or injury as well. A wonderful way to introduce life and death issues to children who are grieving/preparing for the death of a loved one. The publication does not cover after-life possibilities or religous issues.Here is a list of excellent books designed to help explain death to younger children or to help them cope. Note: some are religous or concern afterlife concepts and some do not:When Dinaosaurs Die by Laura Krasney Brown and Marc BrownWhats Heaven? by Maria ShriverWhen Someone Dies by Sharon GreenleeBadgers Parting Gifts by Susan VarleyNana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs by Tommie DepaoloWhen Someone Special Died by Joan Singleton Prestine