Badger's Parting Gifts

Badger is very old and tired, when he dies Mole, Frog, Rabbit and Fox are sad that he is no longer alive. The story shows that being upset or crying at the death of a loved one is normal, but that the feelings will pass. The friends meet to remember Badger, each telling the story of how he helped them and encouraged them at things that have become important to them. In thinking about the special care that that Badger took to teach them these skills, they understand that he was giving them a gift to remember him by. The happy memories of these times with Badger live on in their hearts, showing that the pain of grief passes and that at some point, we can remember those who have died with a smile instead of feeling sad. The illustrations are simple but have appropriate detail with a colour palate of gentle blues, greens and yellows.

This book can be a gentle introduction for children to the experience of someone close to them dying. First published in 1984, this 40th anniversary edition of Badger’s Parting Gifts has a section written by Child Bereavement UK on how to use the book to discuss death with young children. During a time of grief parents or carers may not feel equipped to explain what has happened, making this section particularly helpful.