FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Jersey, July 6, 2022 — How do you say goodbye
to someone you love, whether it’s a pet or a grandparent? Dealing with death
can be difficult and painful for grownups, let alone for little children. In
one of the newest books in the Freeda the Frog series, Freeda the Frog Says Farewell to Her
Fish (Mascot Books; ISBN: 978-1-64307-385-2), author Nadine Haruni
presents a story focusing on the loss of the frog family’s beloved pet fish,
Goldie, to help families struggling with loss and the often-overwhelming
feelings surrounding it.
Whether
reeling from the unexpected loss of a pet or a person—or facing the approaching
death of an ailing or elderly family member—parents and kids can find comfort
in sitting together and reading about how parents Freeda and Samson helped
their tadpoles cope with Goldie’s death.
Haruni
offers these tips to help parents "struggling to find the right words or
actions to express their feelings or condolences" when they are explaining
loss or the grieving process to a child:
1.
Use simple, direct words to talk about death. Give your child a moment to take
your words in, and prepare them for rituals or events that will happen.
2.
Give them an age-appropriate book. Relatable characters can help kids explore
the feelings that they will likely be experiencing.
3.
Listen, provide comfort, and encourage them to talk. Remind them that you are
here, and it's okay to cry or openly discuss their feelings with you or a
professional.
4.
Remind them that loved ones aren’t forgotten. Encourage them to talk or write
about treasured memories with their loved one who passed to keep them close.
5.
Teach them an appropriate condolence gesture. A hand-written condolence note,
food or flowers for the grieving family may be appropriate.
“Hugs,
sharing memories, having a ceremony to say goodbye and letting yourself cry are
all ways to ease mourning, heal and teach your kids at an early age how to do
the right thing, be a good friend and prepare for inevitably going through
loss,” Haruni says.
Speaking
directly to kids in a way that’s reassuring, Freeda
the Frog Says Farewell to Her Fish continues Nadine Haruni’s
mission: helping families of
all species, one tadpole at a time.
About
the Author
Nadine
Haruni is an award-winning children’s book author and a mother to five kids in
a blended family. Her Freeda the Frog series follows a frog
family as they go through various real-life “stuff”—from a parent’s divorce and
remarriage to adjusting to a blended family, moving, starting a new school and
meeting the gay family on the lily pad next door. Beyond helping children who
are going through these situations, her books aim to help all kids recognize
that no two families look the same. Leveled to align with National Educational
Standards, all five Freeda the Frog books have received the Gold Mom’s Choice
Award for Excellence in the family-friendly picture book category, as well as a
Readers’ Favorite 5-star review. Freeda
the Frog and the Two Mommas Next Door was honored with a Royal Dragonfly
Book Award in the LGBTQ category. Haruni is a frequent guest on parenting
podcasts, aiming to reach as many families as possible on her mission to
encourage an environment of awareness, empathy and inclusivity. Along with
writing and parenting, she is a practicing attorney and a certified yoga
instructor. She lives in Bergen County, New Jersey, with her family.
###
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments. Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to talk to you further