Metafurs Sunset: Talking About Loss

Loss comes in many forms, and whether we're big or small, animal or human, everyone will feel it.

We lose friends, we lose pets, we lose family members. Some of these losses are temporary, and some are forever. Loss and big changes require grieving-the feeling of saying goodbye to something.

As her friends come to her with missing, loss, grief, and sadness, Ani the Animal Spirit talks to them about their feelings, explaining the many different forms of loss and how we can move forward. The words "lost," "gone," and "died" are introduced in conversation to represent various forms of loss and change. Parents and caregivers can mix and match the language to fit their child's loss, and the concept of continuation is left open so parents can discuss an afterlife, if they wish. A simple worksheet at the end of the book provides an opportunity to specify the child's loss and resulting feelings.

Sunset might help a child you love to manage the difficult experience of loss.

This picture book is part of the Metafurs series of baby animal life lessons for kids.