The Grief Jar

Aim

Help to publish a heart warming book for children about a little bear's journey with grief - of human nature and the kindness of friends

*Ordering The Grief Jar*

The book is now in print and the date of publication is the 28th October 2022 and the book is available to buy here or at https://www.bearandgoosedesigns.co.uk/childrens-books/the-grief-jar/

About The Grief Jar

This book is aimed at 3 - 8 year olds(although can be appreciated by children and adults alike) consists of 32 pages and is an honest but gentle telling of a little bear's story of grief.  The story begins with Bear sitting in a dark room alone with a big heavy jar filled with feelings that he can't move by himself. His friends want him to come out and play but they can see that he's sad and don't know what to do.  Each animal friend comes in to see if they can help, and one by one ask him about his Daddy.  

As Bear shares stories about his Daddy, he begins to feel he may be able to lift the jar if he can get a little help from his friends.  They begin to assist him in carrying his jar, coming up with practical ways to make it easier to carry.  

The story aims to show that grief is a weight that people carry around with them, and they cannot simply put it down, but family and friends can find ways of helping them carry that grief and make them feel less alone.  Grief can mean tears and sadness, but grief can also mean sharing joyful memories of the person we've lost.

My story

I'm Lynsey, and I'm an Illustrator and Graphic Designer living with my husband and young daughter in Plymouth, Devon.  In June 2020 I lost my Dad to cancer, and due to the pandemic I was unable to visit him in the last 3 months of his life.  His funeral was very limited and we were unable to gather to grieve collectively as a family at the time.  I feel that this ignited a passion in me to channel my grief into something that could help others with their own loss, or of those around them.  The pandemic robbed many families of loved ones, and time with loved ones in their last hours.

However despite this widespread loss, the subject of grief and death is still avoided in conversation, because it's considered an awkward subject.  I wanted to normalise the story of grief particularly among children, so that they feel less isolated and they grow to be adults that know how to support those going through loss.  I wish that people would ask me about my Dad as telling stories about him makes those feelings of grief lighter, and allows him to live on in our story telling.

I have illustrated three previous children books for other authors, but this will be the very first book that I have both written and illustrated.  This is an emotional project for me, as I've been able to illustrate my own memories of my Dad into Bear's stories and hope to read it to my daughter to carry on the conversation of what he meant to me, and what he was like.

What will the money be used for?

The money will be used to fund the self publishing and first print run of this very first book illustrated and written by myself.  It will then be sent out to all those who have pledged to preorder a copy of the book. The higher tiers of the fundraiser will also contribute copies of the book to grief charities, hospices and funeral homes detailed below.  The amount of money raised will dictate the quality and look of the cover and content of the book - the more we can raise, the more detailed and intricate the cover's details can be - gold foil, special finishes etc.  Having worked for a design and print firm in Cornwall that printed my first two children's books I know the process of arranging a book for print, and will be organising the process from beginning to end, keeping the production of this book within Devon & Cornwall.

Upon the success of the crowdfunder I will be first of all organising an event with Plymouth Libraries to do a reading of the book with local children to raise awareness of grief and loss and will be arranging further events from that point on in the local area and beyond.

Where will books be donated?

Rainbows Bereavement GB

Rainbows is a well respected national charity having a proven, positive impact on the lives of children, young people and adults grieving a significant and often devastating loss in their lives.

Rainbows Review on "The Grief Jar":

"The Grief Jar is a moving tale about the warmth of human nature and the kindness of friends. A sensitively told story about the feelings of loss, beautifully illustrated and appealing to both children and adults. I will be recommending it."

Eleanor Clarke, National Co-Director, Rainbows Bereavement Support GB 

Penhaligan's Friends

We are a Cornish charity supporting bereaved children, young people, parents and carers throughout the county. We offer children and young people the chance to meet others and share their experiences, as well as practical resources for children and parents.

Penhaligan's Friends review of "The Grief Jar":

"The Grief Jar is a delightful book that demonstrates how, with the help of friends, and sharing memories children can begin to manage their feelings, and not feel so overwhelmed by their grief. The delightful illustrations and gentle story are uplifting and will be so beneficial for many bereaved families to read together. We will definitely be adding it to our resources list!"  

Julie Parker CEO Penhaligan's Friends

Still not convinced?

Contributing to this project will not only bring a much needed resource to those experiencing grief but the higher tiers will donate books to charities making a real difference to those experiencing grief and loss.  Plus the more you donate, the greater reward you can receive in thanks for your contributions - a copy of the finished book, accessories featuring characters from the book, bookmarks, artwork prints, or your name inside the cover!?

Thanks so much for your time reading this, and please feel free to share the project.

This project successfully funded on 25th August 2022