Sometimes It Takes an Elephant

By Patricia A. Campbell M.Div. M.S. and Colleen Koziara

Young Tiba the elephant has a lot of emotions and isn't always sure what do with them, especially when those emotions are related to loss. One day, Tiba loses a favorite hat--a reminder of a friend who moved away. Tiba becomes upset and has trouble thinking clearly. It feels like there's a whole bee's nest inside Tiba's chest. This is grief, and it happens often.

When Tiba experiences failure at school, the same negative emotions intrude. Tiba wallows in anger and sadness, but there are ways to heal even the deepest emotional wounds. It's important for young elephants to talk about their emotions and learn from loss. Sometimes, it's helpful to just look at pictures of the ones we miss--but always be open to healing.

Today, young people experience incredible pressure brought about by multiple losses in their lives and around them. More than ever, they need guidance in creating a language to express themselves and begin to cope in healthy ways. Adults also need direction in guiding youth. Sometimes It Takes an Elephant is a unique guide that allows adults to engage children about grief in an entertaining, playful way. Together, parents and children can learn to express difficult emotions and ask difficult questions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Feb 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781480870284

Patricia A. Campbell M.Div. M.S.

Patricia Campbell, M.Div.,M.S.,is a masters level therapist with over twenty years' experience working with children, teens, and families. In addition, she has seven years' experience as a hospice chaplain. She has seen the impact of unresolved loss and grief on emotional health and hopes to teach people how to cope. Campbell currently lives in LaGrange Park, Illinois.

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