Badger's Parting Gifts: A picture book to help children deal with death

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Bill and his Grandma look through an album containing old photographs - a touching story about a young boy's special relationship with his grandparents. Badgers Parting gifts, is about a lovely old badger who's about to die, he has lots of friends around him and begins to think about all they ways in which he can thank them just for being there for him. Although I couldn't share this with a child without sobbing, I expect it would be an excellent book to share with a child who had lost an elderly loved one.

In allowing themselves to remember their friend with positivity rather than sadness it helps them begin to move on, an excellent message for children. What a wonderful way to remember Badger, and what a wonderful little book to help children begin to cope with grief. It is suitable for KS1 and lower KS2 classes and would be an excellent resource to use during circle-time.Their grief seems endless to them and never ending, until they begin to remember all the great memories they have of their time with Badger. First published in 1984, Badger’s Parting Gifts tells the story of a dying badger and his wonderful friends that he would leave behind. Due to this I think that the text can be used within a PSHE lesson or even within Religious Education.

Susan Varley’s writing is so beautiful that you wouldn’t mind that the text on each page is longer than most picture books. Initially Badgers friends are extremely upset and distraught by his loss but as time passes by they realise that it’s better to focus on the happy memories that they shared together. It is as if he has fallen out of his body and Susan Varley's descriptions are so touching one almost cries.

Features a helpful reading guide from Child Bereavement UK that provides tips for reading Badger’s Parting Gifts with children and helping them better understand grief.