A talented mum has written and published a colourful rhyming story to help bereaved children navigate their grief.
Deborah Goddard, from Lowestoft, has penned and illustrated four books called ‘Sister in the Sky’, ‘Brother in the Sky’, ‘Mummy in the Sky’ and ‘Daddy in the Sky’.
The rhyme and pictures are the same in each, with slight adaptions when referring to the family member that has died, and the aim is to help young readers come to terms with the loss of a loved one.
Deborah has first-hand experience as baby daughter Jovie died in April 2022.
She was just a year and 11 days old, and, afterwards, Deborah and her family received support from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and spent time making memories at The Nook.
“The words came together quite quickly,” said the 40-year-old, who has older children as well as baby twins, Dusty and Kit.
“Initially, I wrote the book for my twins, so they could learn about their sister, and then I decided to publish it off the back of that.
“Writing poetry is something I’ve always done, and it’s my way of coping with things, including grief.
“It’s a way of sharing and expressing feelings, and I’m also the kind of person who likes doing things and keeping busy.
“My babies obviously take up a lot of my time at the moment, but I love talking and writing about Jovie.
“I always say she was sent to this earth for a reason, and hopefully her part in this book will help people in some way.”
Deborah’s books, which are square, full colour and paperback, are aimed at children up to eight years old, priced at £9.99 and available via Amazon.
They also include a resource page for parents and carers, including key points that her family found helpful when dealing with their grief, as well as suggested activities to support a child and spark conversation about their feelings.
“Of course, how people talk about grief is a very personal thing, and people will have different ways of explaining it to their children,” added Deborah.
“However, I’d love to think my poem brings some comfort and understanding, and if it makes that conversation slightly easier for just one family then it’ll be worthwhile.”
Jovie had a severe brain condition that was detected during pregnancy.
She defied the odds by living for over a year, and after her death at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, her body was transferred to The Nook.
Her family were able to create precious memories and spend time together.
“It was an incredibly tough time,” said Deborah, who read one of her poems to children at a recent memory day at The Nook.
“Jovie did amazingly, and we feel blessed to have had a year together, because she wasn’t expected to live that long.
“EACH was there in the background when she was alive, in terms of helping with symptom management.
“Then, after she passed, we had the chance to spend some days at the hospice.
“It was still a shock, despite being expected, and gave us an opportunity to process everything that was going on.
“We felt looked after and had the chance to bath and dress Jovie.
“We made hand and footprint casts, creating precious memories that I’ll forever hold close to my heart.
“It wouldn’t have been possible otherwise, so I’ll always be grateful.”
Deborah, a professional photographer, is no stranger to the world of publishing.
Her first book, ‘Her Story To Tell: because every life has a purpose’, was published in March 2024, reflecting on the first year of Jovie’s life, and became an Amazon bestseller.
She then started working on a second book about grief but had to put it on hold after falling pregnant with her twins, who are seven months old.
