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I Have a Question about Death: A Book for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Other Special Needs

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Winner of a Moonbeam Children's Book Award 2017


Death is a difficult topic for any parent or educator to explain to a child, perhaps even more so when the child has Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Special Needs. This book is designed specifically to help children with these additional needs to understand what happens when someone dies.


The first book of its kind, I Have a Question about Death uses straightforward text and images to walk children through what it means when someone dies, as well as ways they might want to react or to think about the person. Using clear illustrations throughout and with information for parents and guardians, this book is essential for families with a child aged 5-11 with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs.

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Published March 21, 2017

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Arlen Grad Gaines

4 books3 followers

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5 stars
9 (42%)
4 stars
8 (38%)
3 stars
3 (14%)
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1 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Anusha Narasimhan.
271 reviews280 followers
May 10, 2020
Explaining to children about death is a difficult task. This book does the job in the form of Q&A with simple, clear answers that don't make the kids afraid. Though it is meant for children with a special need, I would recommend it to all children and parents who want to know how to talk about death.

Note: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review in any way.
Profile Image for Heather.
22 reviews
June 28, 2017
I love this book. I won a copy in a Giveaway here at Goodreads. I then immediately offered it as a donation to the library where I am employed.
Both the Director and the woman in charge of the children's books were so excited to add this to our shelves. The illustrations are simple and brightly colored. The content is so valuable in a children's format. It was just received after being processed, and was put on our new children's display... I know many of our patrons will appreciate this being available.
We're currently in the process of weeding out old, outdated titles in all sections. While doing so, we are slowly adding new titles to our inventory. So to be able to add titles such as this to our children's collection is an amazing thing.
Thank you so very much!
Profile Image for Inky.
13 reviews
June 3, 2017
This is a short book, which explains beautifully death, funerals and other questions that children may have about the loss of a loved one. I work with children who have learning disabilities and this book of questions and answers have helped to explain death and dying in a easy, non frightening manner.
I feel this book would be an asset to any parent/child who required information on how explain death

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to review this book
Profile Image for Nancy.
35 reviews12 followers
July 1, 2018
This was a wonderful book. Straight shooting, factual and not at all scary. The perfect book to explain death to a child. I know this is written for children with special needs, but it is helpful to read with a typical child as well.
Profile Image for Susan Cosden.
74 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2018
As a Director of Congregational Learning and a mother of a young adult who happens to be on the Autism Spectrum I am so appreciative that this book has been written. Arlen Grad Gaines and Meredith Englander Polsky did a terrific job writing a secular book that asks questions about death and answers the ones that can be answers and explains why we can't answer others. The book is divided into three parts, a story to read, a visual short story that summarizes the previous story, and a guide for parents and other adults.

I highly recommend this book to parents, educators, librarians, therapists, and clergy.
Profile Image for Wayne McCoy.
4,042 reviews26 followers
April 8, 2017
It's difficult to speak with a child about death. If they are on the Autism Spectrum, that introduces additional challenges. 'I Have a Question about Death: A Book for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Other Special Needs' by Arlen Grad Gaines and Meredith Englander Polsky seeks to help with that.

After a short preface about the subject, the book is divided into three sections. The first section is a complete story with basic pictures. The second section is a shortened version with mainly pictures for children who learn best with visual cues. The final section is suggestions for parents and caregivers.

The complete story seeks to answer the sort of questions that might come up after a death, like "what does it mean when a person dies?" or "Does it hurt to die." The book answers these questions in clear, fairly direct language (which is the advice given to parents). The things that can be expected are talked about. There may be a coffin or ashes. People may cry or laugh. If people come over, it might be noisy and they might try to hug, but it's ok to take a break. Things will get back to normal.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers continues to impress me with the types of things they publish. This book really impressed me with its openness and simple language about a subject that is unusual to children. The authors have experience with working with special needs children and one works in hospice care with this subject as a specialization. It's really comforting to know this sort of book is around to help parents and kids out.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Profile Image for Erica.
1,150 reviews29 followers
February 16, 2023
This is going to be a crabby review. I'm in a crabby mood, and feeling more impatient and irritated even than usual for me.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ryan.
4,848 reviews28 followers
May 8, 2017
This book has an interesting layout. It starts with a longer story, or more accurately a question answer session about what it means to be dead. The second part is the story simplified with pictures. However, I do not find the simplified answers section as truthful. For example, the Question “Why did they die?” and they had this answer “nobody really know why people die if they’re not old”. WRONG. In the longer story it was explained better. I do not think we should be telling any child, even on on the autism spectrum that we don’t know why people die if they are not old. Maybe it was an accident, or a medical problem,. This section was overly simplified. This book was designed to help parent and caregivers explain death to a child on the spectrum. I think most of it could work for any child, but once again if the simplified section, is too simple.
Profile Image for Liane.
Author 1 book64 followers
August 3, 2017
This brief, clear and concise book does a beautiful job anticipating and addressing a child's questions about death.
157 reviews
January 15, 2022
This was a very straight-forward book that held my child's attention and I heard him repeating the information to people later.
Profile Image for Jeanne McDonald.
Author 21 books548 followers
April 3, 2017
I found the language to be clear and concise, which allows a good segue into talking with a child, not just one with autism, about death and loss. The graphics were a little crude, and could have been done a little differently. I liked the section at the end directed toward parents/guardians/adults. This was a nice guide to help those who are faced with explaining death and the effects it has on a child's life.
Profile Image for Orla Kelly.
28 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2017
ideal guide if you arent sure where to start. i found it well written in that it takes into account the communication difficulities with autism and gives practical suggestions.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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