The Memory Box: A Book About Grief: Review and Giveaway

110 Replies

My eldest son was only three years old when his great-granddad died. We tried to break the news gently, but our little boy was devastated. He pulled the bed covers high over his head and hid from us. And no matter how much we tried to talk to him, or comfort him, he wouldn’t come out.

I was a young, inexperienced mom, with another toddler to cope with and pregnant with a third. It was our first family experience of death. I didn’t know what to do. So I let him be.

If only I could have read a wonderful book called The Memory Box with him! My creative son would have made his own little memory box straight away, and we would have filled it with photographs and mementos of him and his great-granddad as they walked by the seaside, or caught crabs, or ate a cream tea together. That way, we would have ensured that his beloved great-granddad would never be forgotten. And in the making of that box, and in the returning to it, we would have shared memories, and conversation, and laughter, and tears.

This is the wonderful idea behind The Memory Box, a beautiful book written by Joanna Rowland to help a young child cope with the loss of a loved one. Read on for a peek inside and a chance to win your own copy…

The narrator of The Memory Box is a young girl who is grieving the loss of someone she loves. The story begins:

I lost my balloon once. I tried so hard to hold on tight, to never let it go… I watched it fly higher than the trees, above the clouds, past where I couldn’t see. I was sad. 

But not as sad as I am now. I can always get another balloon. But I can never have another you.

I miss you.

In the process of remembering and grieving, the little girl creates a memory box to hold written notes and mementos to remind her of her loved one. Included in the back of the book are suggestions for making your own memory box. What a beautiful idea to help young children retain memories and deal with all the varying emotions that accompany loss!

TheMemoryBox_Fpgs ADY alts.pdf

TheMemoryBox_Fpgs ADY alts.pdf

The review from Publishers Weekly highlights the gentle illustrations by Thea Baker:

“Baker’s mixed-media collages integrate bits of fabric and softly textured papers, creating a homey atmosphere that dovetails nicely with the girl’s homemade box.”

Parents, grandparents, educators, grief counselors and children’s ministers will also find a useful guide, written from a Christian perspective, about how to help young children cope with loss.

Not surprisingly, The Memory Box was the worthy recipient of a 2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. Would you like to win a copy for your home, church or ministry? The publishers, Beaming Books, have graciously agreed to give two copies away to two lucky winners.

To be entered in the drawing, simply leave a comment on this post. And if you share it on your favorite social media site, just let me know and you’ll be entered twice.

The winners will be announced in the comments here on Monday July 30th.

I hope you win! 🙂

Glenys

110 thoughts on “The Memory Box: A Book About Grief: Review and Giveaway”

  1. kara cargill

    Ohh I can think of a friend who needs this. She just lost her daughter and has two small grandchildren to look after.

    Reply ↓
    2. Diane Grimm

      I would love a copy to share with my grandchildren ages 6 &3. They just lost their great-grandpa earlier this year.

      Reply ↓
    3. Callie Schroeder

      I want copies of this just to have on-hand 😢so hard to know the right thing to say during such a time and this sounds like the perfect book and activity to shift the perspective a little for a kid. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply ↓
  2. Lauralee Hensley

    Oh how wonderful, especially for children who lose a sibling. When I was three our family was in a horrible car accident. My five-year-old sister was killed. I and my younger sister who was 2 had a hard time understanding where our five-year-old sister Joleeta Sue was. Our two older siblings who were 7 and 8 had a little better time understanding as they were allowed to go to the funeral. I think this book might have helped us way back then. I struggled and even had nightmares about her not being there clear up until I was eight years old. I think a memory box would have been nice to have looked in and go through when I was missing her.

    Reply ↓
    1. Glenys Post author

      Oh, Lauralee, what a heartbreaking story. I am so sorry that you lost your sister at such a young age. I’ve entered you twice. Hugs.

      Reply ↓
  5. Heather Barber

    My 10 yo daughter is still grieving (badly) over my father’s passing, August 2017. He was her father-figure, best friend and Po (grandpa). It’s still hard for me to talk about, forget about a young child. We have our faith to carry us on, knowing we will see him again in heaven, but it’s still difficult.

    Reply ↓
  6. Carrie Adams

    I have a close friend who lost he daughter earlier this year. The daughter left behind a 3 year old son. This would be great for my friend to do with him. Thanks for the review.

    Reply ↓
  7. Jen

    As a bereaved momma, who is still mothering & mentoring 3 young earthside hearts through the loss of their oldest sister, I love the idea of this book. We have looked high and low for good resources for grieving kiddos, this looks like a valuable addition to the collection. ❤️

    Reply ↓
  8. Tom MacInnes

    Books that help children make sense of something incomprehensible are rare and very important. This seems like a beautiful and valuable book and a wonderful service that has been provided by author Joanna Rowland. For me, it brings to mind, The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst, which is high praise because I have always held Viorst’s book in high, high regard. As an elementary teacher for thirty years (just recently retired) I always believed that it was my duty to help young children make sense of their world. This book, The Memory Box, is a helpful addition to the toolkits of every adult who wishes to be helpful when help is most needed. Thanks, Joanna Rowland.

    Reply ↓
      1. Tom MacInnes

        Thank you very much for promoting this beautiful book via your blog. You have done a good thing by doing so. I am honoured to receive my own copy. Thank you. I have emailed you privately regarding my home address. Thank, again, and continued good luck.

        Reply ↓
  11. Judy Eckhoff

    I know of a kindergarten friend who would love to read this book. He misses his great grandma who passed away this year. How comforting to create a Memory Box to go to when he feels sad. Looking forward to reading in entirety.

    Reply ↓
  12. Judy Conner

    Would love to win this as I know someone who could use it. It is a wonderful book and you could make one and put memories of your loved ones.

    Reply ↓

  13. Pingback: The Memory Box: A Book About Grief: Review and Giveaway | Christian Children's Authors

  14. Natalie Mobley

    I would love a copy to share with my boys. Our family was in a bad car wreck in 2012. All 3 of my boys were sent to LeBonheur hospital. Our middle son was in the hospital for 1 week before we had to make the decision to let him go home with our Lord. My oldest son spent 3 weeks there and had countless surgeries for the following year. Our youngest son spent 1 night and thankfully he was fine. But our 2 boys feel such survivors grief. My youngest is so afraid he is going to forget his brother, he was 5 at the time of the wreck. Cahill was an organ donor and we are grateful that he was able to help those who needed it.

    Reply ↓
  15. Margaret E Buelke

    Glenys, Like your young son, I was unable to get my five year old to open up when his best friend was killed in a horrible accident. The Memory Box could have made a big difference! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply ↓
  17. Anne Hoganson

    I would love to have a copy of this as a resource with my congregation – thanks!
    Also, I shared it on Twitter 🙂

    Reply ↓
  18. Karla

    So many reasons this book pulls at my heart strings today. Both of my Grandmas went to Heaven this spring. We all miss them dearly. A friend went to Heaven last month, leaving 4 children here on earth. Missing them all.

    Reply ↓
  19. Cynthia Mackey

    If I will a copy of this book, it will be kept in my preschool library for parents to borrow when dealing with the loss of a loved one. This book looks just lovely.

    Reply ↓
  22. Courtney

    My husband passed away last June and this would be amazing for my 3 year daughter. It’s really hard trying to explain where her daddy is.

    Reply ↓
  24. Emma

    This sounds like a very touching way to go through the grieving process.
    I’ve shared this on my facebook profile if any of my friends want to take part. Thanks for the opportunity.

    Reply ↓
  25. Dani Veenstra

    I think this book can be a great help to grieving people, young and old. When my mom died I was 7, we never spoke of her again. It was as if she disappeared. 56 years later I still grieve. A memory box might have been helpful.

    Reply ↓
  26. Amy Langmaack

    This sounds like a wonderful book. As we are walking the end of mom’s cancer journey right now, I’m constantly looking for books to help Sarabeth process. This will definitely be added to my list!

    Reply ↓
  27. Kelly Huckaby

    My father-in-law recently passed away. Three weeks ago, to be exact. My niece, who was “Grandpa’s Girl” is devastated. She has cerebral palsy, making it even harder for her to comprehend. Although she’s in her late 20s, she is emotionally about 10-12. My mother- and sister-in-law both try hard to comfort her, but they are grieving, too. I think this book would help everyone. ☺

    Reply ↓
  29. DeDe Reilly

    OH my! Just a week ago our church family has been grieving the loss of a brave mom of only 38 who passed away with her 3rd bout of cancer leaving behind a husband and an 8 year old little boy. Though I have given them several books to read together to encourage one another, I’ve been hard-pressed to find a resource that would really let this little boy ‘do’ something in response. If I’m chosen to receive one of the books, it’ll be a shared immediately. Thank you for offering this opportunity. ~ DeDe

    Reply ↓
  31. Karen

    I love the perspective you took on this. Doing something such as the memory box make the child feel not so helpless. Thanks for entering my name.

    Reply ↓
    1. Glenys Post author

      You’re welcome Karen… I love Joanna’s perspective too, and Beaming Books did an awesome job with her words. Thanks for entering!

      Reply ↓
    2. Glenys Post author

      I know Joanna…me too. That’s why I am replying to each one, because you can feel the hurt. Your book is going to help so many!

      Reply ↓
      1. Joanna Rowland

        When a relative’s father passed away unexpectedly, I knew his daughter who was meant to get my book on divorce, needed a different type of book. During writing it, a synchronized swimmer I had coached and that swam with my older daughters and niece, passed away from cancer. It was the first funeral I had to take my 6 year old to. That’s really one the book took shape. How do I explain death to my little one about a girl that was so full of life? And how do a honor both people in this book? It took me sometime to figure out how to write it in a way that you don’t know who died so it could apply to anyone. There were definitely angels in this process. And the illustrator had put some special illustrations for the families that lost a loved one. I hope it brings you comfort. <3

        Reply ↓
  34. Rachel

    I have a family in my church dealing with horrible grief right now. Two young (4&5 years) children that just lost their father to suicide. Win or not, I need a few copies in my office.

    Reply ↓
  35. Whitney Reeves

    I would love to have this resource to share with families in my children’s ministry who are dealing with grief.

    Reply ↓
  36. Stephanie

    What a wonderful idea this book is! I know someone who just loss their father and this would be perfect for them.

    Reply ↓
  37. Keren

    We have had 2 families in our church daycare have a parent to die of cancer in the last month. Ages 4-12. Would so love to give this book to each family.

    Reply ↓
  38. Lori

    I would love to win this book about grief and how to make a memory box. My father passed away last August and it will be one year of his passing in a few weeks. I did not get to spend time with him in the last week of his life and it has been very hard coming to terms with that fact. My grandchildren were also very close to him and just this week my 5 year old grandson talked about how much he misses Grandpa Tom. I try to talk to him about it and help him to feel better but usually end up
    As emotional as he is. I guess talking still helps though. We know he is happy and healthy living in Heaven but our hearts miss him very much. Maybe reading this book and making a box can help us remember without becoming too sad.

    Reply ↓
    1. Glenys Post author

      Oh, Lori, I’m so sorry about your father. That is so hard. Hugs to you and your grandson. (My grandson was also five when I lost my dad, and you’re right, talking about it really does help.)

      Reply ↓
  39. Jenny Cutler

    A lovely Catholic family right down the road just lost their mama to breast cancer. She left behind 7 kids from 5 to 19 years old.

    Reply ↓
  41. Carol Ashcroft

    This will not surprise those who know me, but I think this book would help with the loss of a beloved pet as well. Memories help soothe the pain no matter who we lose. Such a well needed resource as it is hard for a parent to comfort their children as they are dealing with their own grief.

    Reply ↓
  44. Melissa Dykman

    This is such a hard thing to explain to kids. I love that this book helps parents and children alike with a difficult topic.

    Reply ↓
  47. Cola Hill

    If I don’t win one of the free ones, I might just have to buy this book for my kids and I. My dad passed away in December. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply ↓
  48. Nancy

    Little ones have such a different way of seeing the world and I’m sure this book does a wonderful job in helping children process their grief. I’d love to be able to add one to our church library.

    Reply ↓
  49. Wanda Clutinger

    We are raising our special needs granddaughter. Our oldest daughter was just released from the hospital on hospice care. This could help Faith with the loss when the time comes. Thank you for doing this

    Reply ↓
  50. Glenys Post author

    And the winners are: Mary Irvine Sweet and Tom MacInnes. Congratulations to you both and thanks to Beaming Books for the giveaway. To all those who entered and didn’t win, I want you to know that I prayed for your situations and was so touched by the stories you shared. I am praying for hope, comfort, and peace for all of you who lost the ones you love.

    Reply ↓
  51. Tracy

    This would be a wonderful resource. One never knows when the loss of a loved will occur. It would be a blessing to receive.

    Reply ↓

  52. Pingback: Announcing the Winners of The Memory Box, and What's Coming Next… | Glenys Nellist

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.