Why is Mommy Crying?

Explaining Early Pregnancy Loss to Young Children

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Pub Date 19 Jan 2021 | Archive Date 22 Feb 2021
Greenleaf Book Group | River Grove Books

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Description

One is often at a loss how to engage with those in grief, whether adult or child. Because miscarriage affects about a third of pregnancies, most readers likely know someone who has experienced this sadness.

This beautifully illustrated, inclusive, nondenominational picture book helps recipients of every age know that the door is open, and a caring person is on the other side. Written by an experienced physician, Why is Mommy Crying? comforts in the context of family and the larger universe. Young ones are also helped in navigating their fears.

The young protagonist, Max, uses his imagination, and accompanied by his stuffed animal, Mink, begins to understand what has made his mother sad. His imagery and ideas offer a gentle springboard to discuss with children and the adults who love them the broader concepts surrounding grief and recovery.

One is often at a loss how to engage with those in grief, whether adult or child. Because miscarriage affects about a third of pregnancies, most readers likely know someone who has experienced this...


A Note From the Publisher

While this non-denominational book will appeal broadly to many religious families, a faith-based belief system is not a prerequisite.

While this non-denominational book will appeal broadly to many religious families, a faith-based belief system is not a prerequisite.


Advance Praise

  “A touching way to tackle a painful subject. Comforting and gentle with a reassuring message that all is well even though a loss has been felt. Rich colorful illustrations all the way through.”

—Patrice Karst, Bestselling Author of The Invisible String, The Invisible String Workbook, The Invisible Web, The Invisible Leash and You Are Never Alone (An Invisible String Lullaby)

“A sensitive and stunningly illustrated story that helps younger children navigate the emotions in the wake of a miscarriage. Why is Mommy Crying manages the remarkable feat of acknowledging the very real pain while simultaneously reassuring children that they are safe and loved.”

—Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor of Medicine and author of What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine

  “A touching way to tackle a painful subject. Comforting and gentle with a reassuring message that all is well even though a loss has been felt. Rich colorful illustrations all the way through.”

...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781632993779
PRICE $11.95 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)

Average rating from 40 members


Featured Reviews

I've long been seeking a non-denominational picture book to help young children deal with their mother's miscarriage, and now, I've found it. Why is Mommy Crying? is a loving and sensitive story told in luminous prose and beautiful illustrations. The young protagonist, Max, begins to understand what has made his mother sad. This book offers a gentle, sensitive springboard to discuss grief and recovery with children. l have no doubt it will comfort any child whose family has experienced such a loss.

Dr. Baill is an obstetrician-gynecologist and medical school professor who has over twenty years of experience helping families through the trauma of miscarriage, an event that occurs in one-third of all pregnancies. However, until now there have been few resources dedicated to young children's processing of and recovery from such an event. This inclusive story, from a young boy’s point of view, will comfort not only children but all family members, helping them all toward healing and recovery after miscarriage.
Why is Mommy Crying? is a great addition to any library, public or personal.

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This book covers pregnancy loss really delicately.

The book was well written and it was easy to understand.

I liked the natural and simple way that the story was told to explain to younger ones why their mummies and daddies might be sad

It is 4 stars from me for this one.

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This is a very heartfelt story that explains miscarriage to a child in an extremely touching and sensitive manner. I think this would be appropriate for any family going through this so the child could understand what is going on and that everything will be ok. Great job!

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A very hard topic to have with children. This book is beautifully written to help children understand topics that might be otherwise hard to explain to them.

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This was a very heart felt story on a very sad reality. I was impressed that the author reassured the child that God would be taken care of the baby. The illustrations were beautiful and helped keep you engaged in this story. I will probably be buying this for my Kids Ministry at church for the grief section.
Thank you Netgalley!

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This is a good book for families going thorough the lost of a baby and is careful of the emotions and feelings that families (especially moms) go through in such a painful time.

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A difficult, sad subject is handled deftly with sweet, cozy illustrations and sensitive text. I appreciate that the author asks the questions from Max's point of view; these are the questions a worried child would ask. The illustrations are comforting and aid in this gentle, loving explanation of what happens when a family loses a baby to miscarriage. The text does mention God, but in a tactful way that is not overpowering and does not preclude the reading enjoyment of children and families who are not religious. A warm and safe ending will help young readers feel comfortable and secure. This is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to broach this sensitive topic with a young family member.

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Why is Mommy Crying? is a wonderfully illustrated and written resource for kids and families that explains pregnancy loss in an easy-to-understand way. It is written in such a way that I believe young children can grasp the concept. The book also deals with the emotions that the child and parents have in experiencing the loss. It also has a list of additional resources in the back of the book that can be helpful as well. I highly recommend this book to those families that have went through pregnancy loss,. It would also be a good resource for those working with children and those in the counseling field. Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for the opportunity to read this book. (This review is on Amazon and GoodReads.)

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A read that is important to share, especially with young children. I can imagine it would be extremely difficult for parents going through miscarriage to read this, but perhaps grieve together as a family.

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As a fellow loss mom, it was an honor to read this book. I will definitely purchase a copy for myself for future children to read one day. Always remembering my girl, lost at 20 weeks. The illustrations in this book were really beautiful. I would have liked to seen the text fleshed out a bit more.

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