Author, Artist Help Children Cope with Grief How can a very young child understand the finality of death and the complex feelings that flow from loss and separation? Liz Duckworth and Jeffrey Barnes have teamed up on a new picture book to help caring adults share these difficult issues with children.

The book is for children as young as three, and tells a story of loss, friendship, and remembrance. Feelings like denial, anger, sadness, and acceptance are presented in an easily identifiable way. Says the author, “Because the story is less direct and more allegorical, it can be applied to a wide variety of real-life situations, from long-term separations, to the loss of a pet, to the death of a close relative.” The creators hope the books will be especially useful to hospices, hospital chaplains, counselors, and grief support groups, as well as individual families. The simple story of Ragtail the mouse and Frazzle the Bluejay is brought to life by colorful illustrations from Barnes, a Colorado Springs artist and design manager. Though he has many published illustrations, this is his first picture book. His artwork is a unique blend of painting and collage that begins with acrylic-painted papers which are then cut to shape and enhanced with pen-and-ink. The resulting multi-layered look gives depth and feeling to the expressive illustrations. The picture book has just been published by Centering Corporation, a 25-year-old bereavement resource center that develops books for grieving people and those who care for and love them. The Omaha, Nebraska publishing company was founded by Joy and Dr. Marvin Johnson, and today has over 150 grief resources for both adults and children. Ragtail Remembers ($9.95) can be ordered from the author, Amazon.com, or from the publisher: Centering Corporation, P.O. Box 4600, Omaha, NE 68104 (402-553-1200). ISBN: 1-56123-163-0