The stories in this book are deeply tender, consoling gifts for children and adults who are wounded by overwhelming loss. They matter. A lot. Alida Gersie, Ph.D., author of Storymaking in Bereavement: Dragons Fight in the Meadow
This book offers story medicine for children, families and communities at times of grieving, loss and separation. Stories and words have therapeutic potential. They can strengthen us, help to reframe things, and help make meaning.
Included are 94 stories for: the loss of a loved one such as a death in the family of a baby, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, an extended family member; the loss of family connection e.g. separation, divorce, adoption, foster children; the loss of a pet; separation from home, country or place; and the loss of health and well-being. The last section includes tales for the loss of nature and ecocide, helping to encourage ‘active hope’; and stories on cycles of life and change.
As well as many original stories from Susan Perrow, there are stories from different countries and cultures worldwide by writers from a diversity of professions and backgrounds.
Each story includes a description of who the story was written for, the age group and the situation. Using the power of metaphor and imaginative story journeys, combined with the sensitive art of ‘listening’, the stories in the collection offer a light in the night.
Watch the video of the book launch here
Purchase a copy of the book here
Endorsements
Grief is inevitable for everyone. Experiencing some kind of bereavement is something that none of us can avoid. So why are we so afraid to talk about it? This hopeful and uplifting book helps children and families make meaning after loss. It offers a grief ‘toolkit’ for sharing stories about a subject so often shrouded in silence and discomfort.
Jane Harris, The Good Grief Project
As well as many original stories from Susan Perrow, this book includes stories that have been gathered from different countries and cultures, written by people with a wide range of experiences, and intentions. The writers have all, at one time or another, wanted to offer ‘story medicine’ at times of grief, loss and separation. Four of the contributors are from the Northern Rivers.
Included are 94 stories: for the loss of a loved one; the loss of family connection e.g.separation of parents and adoption; the loss of a pet; separation from home, country or place; loss of nature (eco-grief) and the loss of health and well-being. The last section includes tales for helping to encourage ‘active hope’, and stories on cycles of life and change.
Each story includes a description of who the story was written for, the age group and the situation. Unlike Susan’s other books, this book contains stories not only for children, but stories written for all ages. The collection enables the reader to choose a story that is suitable for their own personal situation of loss, or to use in helping others: personal situations of friends or family members, for use in early childhood settings, schools or community services.
‘Stories to Light the Night’ is a rich and heartfelt collection, inspiring the reader to a greater understanding of the experience of grief and loss, and perhaps providing the inspiration to write one’s own story. It’s theme is an experience of feeling that is inevitable for us all. What a comfort it is to know that a story can be a ‘light in the night’ in times of sadness and sorrow.
Thank you Susan for the gift that is this book.
Reviewed by Julie McVeigh – former CBRSS Kindergarten Teacher
Author: Susan Perrow M.Ed is an Australian author and storyteller who works with story medicine. She writes, collects and documents stories that offer a therapeutic journey; a sensitive and creative way of addressing grief, loss and other challenging situations.
Susan has an extensive background in teaching, writing and therapeutic storytelling. She travels nationally and internationally giving keynote speeches and running seminars for teachers, parents and therapists, and now offers online training and talks. She is a pioneer of healing storytelling. Her therapeutic story work has led to the publication of three resource books : Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour, Therapeutic Storytelling: 101 Healing Stories for Children and An A-Z Collection of Behaviour Tales, all published by Hawthorn Press and translated into many languages.
