Little giraffe is sad, her grandpa is gone
Basic emotions: SADNESS
| Author | Tatjana Gjurković, Tea Knežević |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jelena Brezovec |
| Original Title | Žirafica je tužna jer djeda više nema |
| ISBN | 978-953-8008-75-7 |
| Format | softcover |
| Pages | 24 |
| Size | 22x22 cm |
| Age range | Early learning (2 – 6), Beginning readers (5 – 7) |
| Category | Sadness |
|---|---|
| Tag | Basic emotions: SADNESS |
WRITTEN BY EXPERTS IN CHILD PSYCHOLOGY
Little giraffe was playing and enjoying herself on the beach with her parents when her dad suddenly got a call that her grandpa was in the hospital. When they visited him, giraffe hugged him tightly, and grandpa told her that he was very old and sick. After a few days, dad lit a candle and told little giraffe that her grandpa had died. Giraffe was confused, then worried, then sad, especially when she saw that both her dad and mum were very sad. Dad had to explain to her that grandpa now lives in a different way, in their thoughts and hearts, and then he hugged, kissed and comforted his little daughter.
This picture book brings a story about loss of a loved one and process of grieving.
Grief is one of the so-called basic emotions. They occur in all cultures and from the earliest age. By the end of the 6th month of life, a child expresses all four basic emotions (anger, fear, happiness, sadness).
The end of life, or death, is the inevitable fate of every person and one of the most stressful events in the lives of those close to them and those who remain behind them. Often, even adults can’t accept, explain, and find comfort after the death of a loved one, and this is a great challenge for children as well. On a mental level, death is very abstract, and children will seek an explanation that adults often can’t give them because they themselves can’t find the words. On an emotional level, children will feel the loss and sadness and will seek comfort from adults who themselves need comfort in that situation and struggle with their own feelings of sadness.
However, it’s very important to dedicate time to the child and to explain the loss to them in a way and language that they, considering their maturity and age, can understand. Grief is an emotion that requires support, comfort and compensation for what was lost, and at the moment of losing a loved one, adults should seek all this for themselves and provide it to their children too.
At the end of the picture book, there are advice for adults that will help you understand your child’s emotional needs so you can provide help and comfort.
Author: Tatjana Gjurković
Tatjana Gjurković has a master’s degree in psychology, she is certified psychotherapist, certified child play therapist (RPT), Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA), Teacher and Supervisor of Transactional Analysis (TSTA). She works individually with children and adults and holds educational programs for specialists in fields of child play therapy and transaction analysis. She is author of a book “Play Therapy with children” and 28 therapeutic picture books. She continuously promotes the importance of mental health in children and adults through Centar Proventus which she co-founded with her colleague Tea Knežević.
Author: Tea Knežević
Tea Knežević has master’s degree in psychology, she is certified psychotherapist, certified child play therapist (RPT) and Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA). She provides play therapy with children, psychotherapy with adults, parent consultations, and conducts numerous training courses for professionals in Centar Proventus which she co-founded with her colleague Tatjana Gjurković. She has written 28 picture books with therapeutic stories for children. In addition, she is the author of several manuals related to psychological resilience, gifted children, and anger management.
Illustrator: Jelena Brezovec
Jelena Brezovec has a master’s degree in social studies. For a long time, drawing was just a hobby, until 2008 when she became a co-founder of the publishing house Evenio and decided to study digital illustration, with the focus on children’s illustration. So far, she has illustrated more than 40 picture books and many other publications. She is the winner of the Grigor Vitez “Bird” Award, a special praise from the children’s jury. She has illustrated the most popular children’s book series in Croatia – Mrljek & Prljek. Her illustrations have been part of many exhibitions throughout Croatia. She lives and works in Varaždin, Croatia.
