Adults can usually help children cope with the death of a pet, but when a person dies evasions can seem more tempting. Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine is a warm, bright book of 32 pages, thoughtfully devised to enable children to face the facts of death without succumbing to guilt or despair. There are many activities that encourage them to reflect on their grief, articulate their feelings and acknoledge what they’re missing. Other valuable ideas involve making positive, practical statements of remembrance and reparation.

Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine costs pound;4.99 from Hawthorn Press, Hawthorn House, 1 Lansdown Lane, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 1BJ. Tel: 01453 757040. Fax: 01453 751138. Email: hawthornpress@hawthornpress.com

Website: www.hawthornpress.com

Tom Deveson