why? A Story for Kids Who Have Lost a Parent to Suicide by Melissa Allen Heath and Frances Ives - ADVISABLE

why? A Story for Kids Who Have Lost a Parent to Suicide by Melissa Allen Heath, illustrated by Frances Ives. PICTURE BOOK Magination Press, 2023. $20. 9781433841965 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A child has lost his dad to suicide and asks his mother why? She explains about depression and tells Oliver how much his dad loved them. 

Although the book addresses a very sensitive subject, it is carefully worded to teach and to comfort the child without being traumatic itself. I loved the words Heath used as well as Ives' illustrations. You can feel the sadness. Includes a lengthy reader's note to help parents and counselors support and help children facing the loss of a parent to suicide. Oliver is mixed race, his dad is white his mom is brown. 

Lisa Librarian