Event
Discover the Power of Children’s Books to Help Young People Understand Death and Loss
April 11, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET
Watch an archived recording of this event
Children’s literature can offer a gentle and developmentally appropriate way to address complex topics – such as death and grief – with children.
Through narrative frameworks, imagery, and relatable characters, children can better understand the natural cycle of life and how to cope with difficult emotions. Reading books with trusted adults can facilitate conversation and strengthen relationships.
This event included a conversation with children’s librarians Sylvia Tag and Thom Barthelmess and professor Marie Eaton on how caregivers, clinicians, librarians, and teachers can integrate literature into the lives of young people to tackle difficult topics with care. Joining them was mom, Sarah Casey, a life-long lover of books of all kinds, who believes strongly in the power that stories have to connect, guide, and help us make meaning throughout our lives.
Our Panel
Marie Eaton
Marie is the former Dean of Western Washington University's Fairhaven College and currently serves as Community Champion for the Palliative Care Institute.
Sylvia Tag
Sylvia is a Librarian and Associate Professor at Western Washington University where she teaches courses on youth literature and curates the library’s collections for children and teens.
Thom Barthelmess
Thom is the Youth Services Manager at the Whatcom County Library System where he oversees collections, programs, and services for children and teens.
Sarah Casey
Sarah Casey is the mother of Emerson, who died at 16 months old from Type 2 Gaucher’s Disease, and Margot (age 4) who was born three years after her sister’s death. Sarah holds a B.A. in English, and an M.S.Ed in Education with a specialization in Secondary English/Language Arts. As a life-long lover of books of all kinds, she believes strongly in the power that stories have to connect, guide, and help us make meaning throughout our lives.
