Resources: Review - How to help children cope with loss

This book addresses and explains the theoretical concepts and practicalimplications behind the idea of brief, cost-effective work with bereavedchildren and families. It provides a focus on resilience, working withfamilies' strengths and possibilities rather then merely identifyingtheir problems.

The book makes an excellent introduction as well as providing ChildhoodBereavement Network members with food for thought. The chapters look atthe importance of assessment, interventions and the potential of peersupport through group work. It also presents ideas on reachingadolescents through web-based services.

The chapter by Gillian Chowns on work with children whose parents areseriously ill is particularly welcome, while the chapter by ProfessorWilliam Yule, which invites us into the often private worlds of highlytraumatised children, and Dyregrov's on helping families after suicideare equally compelling. However, as one would expect, the final andtruly expert words are provided by a bereaved father who powerfullyportrays the issues in crossing "the great barrier grief".