The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back: A Story for Children Who Have Lost Someone They Love

Book excerpt: Eric is a sand dragon who loves the sea very much. Each day, he watches it go out, knowing that it will return. But one day, Eric waits and waits, but it does not come back. He falls on the sand, feeling as if he has lost everything. Eric wants to shut himself off from his feelings, but eventually spots a little wildflower growing, and another, and another. He builds a rock pool garden, in memory of the sea that he loves, and learns that it is much better to feel the full pain of his loss, instead of closing his heart. The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back is a story for children who have lost someone they love. The beautiful illustrations and sensitively written story offer a wealth of opportunities to begin a conversation about the difficult emotions that can follow a loss, helping children to acknowledge and express their emotions. The story shows them that it is brave to feel sad, that they are surrounded by support, and that memories of a loved one are a special treasure that can never be lost. Ideal for starting conversations about grief and sadness, this is an essential resource for anybody supporting children aged 4-12 who have experienced loss.