David Died Last Night
When four-year-old David died of leukemia, his preschool teacher, Miss Robin, was faced with telling his classmates the news. She didn’t know what words to use, only that she had to be fully open to her young students’ questions and let them guide the conversation.
Come join the circle of David’s friends and listen in as the children share their feelings and express their natural curiosity about this seldom discussed topic. Sit with them as they learn about death and what follows. And when the time comes, allow your child to experience grief and loss with guidance from David’s friends. Miss Robin speaks to her students using age appropriate language fitting a young child’s literal way of processing information, while offering comfort and compassion.
This book is intended to be read to a child, opening a path for further conversation and letting them know that it is safe to ask their own questions. In the section for parents, teachers and caregivers at the end of the book, you will find tips to help you move forward with those conversations as you and your child find comfort together.
Meet David
David was four-years-old when we learned he had leukemia. The year was 1985. I was told that Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) was rare in young children, and even more rarely treated successfully. My son was given two to four months to live. But even leukemia was not powerful enough to dim the spirit of my high-energy little boy. He somehow managed to cram a lifetime of love and friendships into the few years he had on earth. The day before he died, he was outside riding his Big Wheel up and down the street. He loved going to school and missed only a handful of days during his battle with cancer. David was a force to be reckoned with—smart, funny, and gregarious, with a personality that made adults wonder if he was four or forty. David was aware the doctors didn’t know how to fix him and believed he would die. One day he told me, “The doctors only think I’m going to die because they don’t know I’m really Superman. I’m going to surprise them and live forever.” And that he will, in the hearts of all who knew him.
Words of Praise for David Died Last Night
Beautifully written and heartwarming
By JohnJ
Beautifully written and heartwarming story. My heart goes out to the author who shares her personal story of her son’s death. David Died Last Night answers questions that children often have about death and dying. It also provides tips at the end of the book as to how to talk to children about death and dying. It’s a wonderful book for children, parents, teachers and counselors.
Good Answers to Hard Questions
By Ruth Hoppers
Full disclosure: My family is coming up in the third anniversary of my granddaughter’s death and I when I read this, I went back in time mentally, and wept. When I finished reading the book, I realized how helpful this book would have been for my son and daughter-in-law at the time when their almost 3 year old twins asked if they could get a rocket ship to go see their baby sister, asking multiple times other questions that revealed their lack of understanding. Just as this author recommends, a therapist they spoke with told them to use the words death and died to help them understand that she is gone permanently and we can’t go see her. We tried hard not to cry in front of them at the time, but that was a mistake, too, as they need to understand that it’s healthy to be sad when sad things happen. I’m recommending this to one of the funeral homes in my area who work with families going through this experience. They have something that they give to families, but in comparing the two products, as both a grandmother and as a 32 year teacher of young children, this book is my recommendation.
A truly helpful and engaging book
By Holly Urbanski
Written by a mom who has walked this path, David Died Last Night is a lovely picture book that opens the door to helpful discussion between parents (or teachers) & children about this challenging topic. The illustrations & words are engaging for little ones, & make what could be a hard (or even scary) subject accessible. Author Carol Carlson understands how young children think & process information, and the book reflects this understanding. It uses questions actually asked of the author (or of David’s teacher) by the children in David’s preschool class, so it comes across as both believable and practical. Note: The children didn’t ask about spiritual aspects of death, so that’s not a part of this book–it’s therefore a great resource for religious and non-religious readers alike. Parents can have those conversations individually with their own children. Highly recommend this book (I already purchased a copy for a friend).
Very good book!
By a Verified Amazon Customer
This is a great book to help parents, teachers and kids, go thru the grieving process when a fellow student dies. It is told with such compassion and understanding. All teachers and day care leaders should read this book.
Honest, warm, helpful…
By Sue DeMilly
I cannot imagine the pain of losing an innocent child or having to explain such a loss to another child. However, this heartfelt book offers support for anyone facing such a tragedy in their family. The gentle illustrations create a comforting atmosphere, and the straightforward language makes it easier for children and adults to process difficult emotions. These qualities would be so beneficial should a need for a difficult conversation ever arise. Highly recommended.