A gentle way to help children understand death with clarity, honesty and hope.
The Dragonfly Story is a child‑friendly retelling of the well‑known ‘Waterbugs and Dragonflies’ fable. It offers a simple, comforting way to explain death to children using soft imagery, clear language and a reassuring sense of continuity.
A note on the story: the book opens and closes with our own experience of losing a child/sibling, but the dragonfly fable at its heart is written to speak to any loss – a parent, grandparent, friend or pet, as well as a brother or sister. Many families use it for grief of all kinds; I’ve simply framed it through the loss I know.
This book is often shared during moments when families, teachers or healthcare professionals need a calm, age‑appropriate way to help a child understand what has happened.
Bulk discounts available on UK orders, contact CDOffice@virginmedia.com
Who uses this book
The Dragonfly Story is widely used by:
- Parents, grandparents and family members
- Schools and pastoral care teams
- Hospitals, NICUs and paediatric wards
- Hospices and palliative care teams
- Counsellors, therapists and bereavement organisations
- Families supporting a child through any loss
Professionals value its simplicity and emotional safety. Parents appreciate its warmth and clarity.
“I have yet to find any kind of book or leaflet for siblings that even comes close to being able to explain [sibling loss] as well as your book does.”
– Senior Nurse, NICU, Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Why it helps
Children often struggle with abstract explanations of death. The dragonfly metaphor offers a soft, natural way to describe change, absence and continued love. It helps children feel less frightened and more able to ask questions.
The story encourages:
- Gentle understanding
- Emotional reassurance
- A sense of connection
- Space for conversation
- Hope and calm during grief
Why I wrote it
After my daughter’s death in 2013, our family found the dragonfly fable so moving and hopeful that I decided to retell it, beautifully illustrated for children and adults to share. The book is framed around our own experience – the loss of a sibling – in its opening and closing pages. But the fable itself, which forms the heart of the story, was written to be general, so that any child grieving any loss can find comfort in it.
The Dragonfly Story is a tale of hope. It provides a view of death that captures something of what heaven might be like. It is based on Christian themes but it is not religious, and is suitable for anyone with or without a particular faith.
In 2018, I was shortlisted as a finalist in the JustGiving Awards for writing the book. The Dragonfly Story was also shortlisted by independent book review site, The Bookbag, as one of its Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018.
What families and professionals say
Families have found comfort in this book for many kinds of loss – here’s what some of them said:
“An essential resource for helping children understand what has happened. Calm, clear and beautifully written.” — School Safeguarding Lead
“We use this book regularly in our bereavement support sessions. Children respond so well to the dragonfly metaphor.” — Child Bereavement Counsellor
“A soft, reassuring way to talk about death with young children. It opens the door to honest conversation.” — Paediatric Nurse
“This story helped my son understand his sister’s death in a way that felt safe. We are so grateful for it.” — Parent
If you would like to share your own experience with the book, please get in touch: CDOffice@virginmedia.com
Reviews
Over 10,000 copies sold via Amazon to date.
Reader reviews received by email:
- “This book is beautiful. It is both gentle and strong; it gives so many opportunities for children to widen the story and add their own memories and thoughts to it. It brings the dragonfly story to a supremely accessible and relatable level in such a simple format, ideal for younger children. I was enchanted by it.” Mary, UK
- “My Dad died last August and I’ve wanted to find a book that would help my 7-year-old with his grief, his other Grandad had only died the year before. Nothing that I’ve found is as well written, beautifully illustrated and honest as your book. My son is so aware, over simplifying what has happened was never going to work for him. It’s truly a gift, thank you so much for sharing your story with us.” Beth, UK
- “The Dragonfly Story is written with such compassion and understanding for the families to read to their young loved ones without fear and in the knowledge that it will bring happy thoughts and love at the end of it. It could lead to sharing wonderful memories and not fearing the unspoken. As a mum this also lifted my heart and mind into beautiful thoughts of love ones passed. I also work within a school as a SEN teaching assistant and this book I shall be sharing with the families that need it as I feel that a child in whichever level of learning they are at this is very accessible for their understanding. A must in my mind to be on all home and school book shelves to be shared together.” Kimberley, UK
- “As a GP, this is a wonderful resource to have in our surgery, to help families cope with the death of a child.” Annalisa, UK
- “The book is beyond perfect. Such a well-written and gentle approach. But I also love the fact it allows siblings to know it’s ok to still feel happy and play.” Melissa, UK
Purchase
Bulk discounts available on UK orders, contact CDOffice@virginmedia.com
With thanks to all the family, friends and followers of this blog who donated to support the design costs of The Dragonfly Story. Anyone who requested it has their child’s name added to the In Memory page in the book. Thank you again. See the donations page →
