Diane O'Quinn Burke's gentle duotone illustrations perfectly underscore Pat Palmer's deftly written and gentle "I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand...": A Child's Guide To Grief And Loss. Based upon sound psychology with respect to the grieving process in children, this sensitive and exceptional well written story will significantly assist a young child to identify their feeling arising from their grief including denial, anger, guilt, and sadness. The child will discover within the pages of this brief but superbly presented story that it is normal and natural to feel the pain of loss created by a friend or loved one moving away or dying -- and that they can and will come to accept the change in their life and eventually feel better.

When the main character loses several important figures in her life- her pet dies, her father moves away, etc.- she feels the pangs of loss. This is a great book to read to children! So many children have experienced loss- when their parents get divorced, a pet dies, a grandparent dies, or a good friend moves away- but have no way of knowing that what they are feeling is NORMAL. This book helps explain that to children- that feeling sad is normal when you lose someone or something important to you. I recommend this book to anyone who has any contact with children- teachers, parents, sitters, etc. It is a great book!