Central Library hosts launch event for

Benny’s Hat, a picture book about child bereavement by

Juliet Clare Bell and Dave Gray,

Thursday 7th December 2017, 4pm-5pm

Benny's Hat is a picture book about sibling bereavement. It follows the fictional story of Friz, whose big brother gets sick and then dies. You can see the trailer on Youtube or on www.pomelopip.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7gCXYA0N5k

Meet the author and illustrator. Find out how they made the book and how Dave chose to illustrate the story -and the many hats he tried before he found the right one

How to draw a character with Dave –join in and draw one yourself

Paper Frisbee-making

Book buying, gifting and signing with the author and illustrator

Refreshments

Whilst the children are making frisbees and drawing, Sarah Mitchell, a GP and doctoral research fellow at Warwick University, will talk briefly about the importance of talking with children and

young people about death and dying.

Bereavement counsellors from child bereavement charity, Edward’s Trust, will be available to talk with anyone about counselling opportunities.

Free event, no booking required, for more information contact 024 7683 2314

Please note, this event is suitable for everyone, whether you are bereaved or not.

Reviews for Benny’s Hat

"Somehow [they] have managed an impossible feat... and made a book that conveys all the pain, all the terrible grief of losing a child and yet offers comfort to the sibling(s) left behind. With a

powerfully simple text and heartbreakingly lovely illustrations, this book is a small masterpiece of honesty and comfort for the darkest of times"

Debi Gliori (Author and illustrator of international best-selling 'No Matter What')

"Benny's Hat deals so quietly... with a huge subject of a sibling dying from the view point of the sister. It beautifully explains how children and young people might deal with serious illness and

death differently to adults. The story gives adult readers examples of how to support children when a sibling is not expected to live not just via the notes at the back of the book but also by watching

Friz’s parents’ reactions to her behaviour… this book will be extremely helpful for me in supporting families, children and young people through pre and post-bereavement"

Jackie Grant, Bereavement Support Practitioner, Child Bereavement UK.

"Exceptional. Sensitive, understated, compassionate and comforting…, an essential book for any child struggling in such a situation, or with grief in general. It is absolutely beautiful,"

Cathy Cassidy (bestselling children’s author).

"The book and superb illustrations work on many levels breaking taboos yet without imposing anything on its readership. Instead this book thoughtfully and gently provides a vehicle to allow

discussion and shared grief in a way younger children may participate and understand"

Alan Kessedjian, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

For more information, please go to www.pomelopip.com

The author and illustrator are donating £2 from the sale of every copy of Benny’s Hat to Edward’s Trust in Birmingham.