Books About Organ Donation and Hospice/Anticipating Death
* This image shows the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
I am really excited to share these books with you all today. Lots of adults struggle with finding the words to explain organ donation and to support all of the feelings that come along with it. I have TWO great ones to recommend this week. In addition, I am sharing a special and important book about when someone in your child's world will die soon, whether that includes hospice or not. I know there are so many adults that aren't comfortable with this topic or whose grief will get in the way of finding the right words. Please share these recommendations with anyone that you think can benefit.
The Gift by Shaindy Alexander and Diana Lee
This book is a matter-of-fact, simply written books to help kids understand the confusing concept of organ donation. No surprise that the easy to understand language was written by a child life specialist. This book was written and illustrated in a way that it could apply to any family and any organ donation situation. I recommend it for kids who have a loved one donating or receiving an organ. Best for school- aged kids.
https://amzn.to/4lV5lHH
A Gift of Life by Rachelle Burk
This book is written by a social worker. It tells the brief stories of 4 people who don’t know each other. One of the people, a father to a school age boy, dies suddenly. The other three people who each had different medical issues, received organ/tissue transplants from the man who died. The son of the man who died expresses how sad he is, but that there is a little happiness that comes from knowing that his body helped other people. The book also talks a little bit about what the boy does to remember his dad. The book is appropriate for kids who have lost someone that was an organ donor to read with a caregiver. Also, it is important to keep in mind that feeling happy about organ donation is a confusing concept and some grievers are not ready to focus on that. This should be taken into consideration when sharing with a child.
https://amzn.to/41e7Qek
What Happens When Someone I Love Can't Get Better: A Book to Prepare and Cope with End of Life by Jenni Rogers and Sara Olsher
This book is an amazing tool for kids who know someone who is in hospice or who will likely die soon. It uses kid friendly language to explain organ failure, common behaviors of dying people, common experiences for kids in this situation, and has a few pages that help kids process grief, self-care, and feeling connected to their loved one. This book was written in partnership with a child life specialist and should definitely be available in every hospice. I would recommend it for school age kids.
https://amzn.to/4sKTBcS
