Need Help Explaining Death to Children?
Consider The Dragonfly Door, a Heartfelt Story about Loss and Change
A Mom's Choice Awards® Recipient
What is The Dragonfly Door?
The Dragonfly Door is a fictional story about loss and change, based on the life cycle of the dragonfly. Intended to be read to a child by an adult, The Dragonfly Door offers parents an opportunity to express their own views about life and death.
Teachers and counselors find this book useful because it encourages young children to talk about a death, loss or change. Nym, one of the main characters, grieves the loss of her friend, Lea. Some children identify with Nym and may be more willing to write or talk about a loss after hearing the story. An in-class discussion may also incorporate the real life cycle of the dragonfly, which is included at the back of the book.
Nym continues her life underwater with others in the marsh, still sad because she misses her friend, Lea. Through a vision or dream, Nym learns that someday she will see her friend again in a new world where Lea has gone.
Some parents and grandparents interpret Lea's transformation into a beautiful dragonfly, living in a new place, as a metaphor for heaven or as an analogy to life after death. Based on this interpretation, the core message of the story becomes one of hope for those who grieve the loss of someone.
The Dragonfly Door may serve many purposes, such as comforting a grieving child or providing facts about dragonflies. Beautifully illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson, the book is cherished by parents, grandparents and teachers.
See a child psychologist's comments to parents about this book ...
Download lesson plans for this book ...
Customer Comments about Explaining Death with The Dragonfly Door:
- "In 1998, my father died of cancer; and I never really understood why he left and when I would see him again. About January of '07 I stumbled across this book, and in reading it I found that I really did always have the answers to those and other questions that I had, it just took time for me to realize and understand. And this book really helped me to do that, and others will benefit from The Dragonfly Door....Thank you so much for working so hard on this wonderful story."
- "I took my granddaughter to the Cecil Day Butterfly House at Calloway Gardens in Georgia to share the book with her. She does not share her feelings about her dad's death easily, but after we read the book, she said that she sometimes heard him talking to her just as Nym heard Lea. Thank you for that moment when she opened up a little bit."
- "It's a beautiful story, put simply enough to help young people think less fearfully about death and what happens to their loved ones when they leave this life on earth. The bright pictures captivate the young eye and the sweet story holds the reader's attention. My granddaughter loves hearing me read it to her, after her grandfather died. Thank you for writing it."
An Independent Review:
"The warm, emotional colors ... illustrate this highly recommended picturebook for sharing the bittersweet realities of life with young people."
-- The Midwest Book Review
Read more comments and reviews ...
Book Excerpt:
While Nym slept, she heard Lea's voice saying, "Follow me, Nym. I'm going to show you where I am." "Will I see you again?" Nym asked. "Only when it's time for you to die too," Lea replied. "You won't see me in the marsh ever again. But let me show you what I will look like the next time you see me. Here, close your eyes." Nym closed her eyes. "Now look at me," Lea said. Nym opened her eyes and saw ...
The Dragonfly Door
US $17.95 / Hardcover
40 pages, Ages 5 to 9
Publish Date: January 2007
ISBN-13: 978-1-934066-12-6
ISBN-10: 1-934066-12-5 
Winner Mom's Choice Awards 
Winner Evelyn Thurman Book Award 
Winner Benjamin Franklin Award 
Finalist National Best Books Award
Summary of The Dragonfly Door ...
A dragonfly story about loss and change to help explain a loss to a child.
A beautifully illustrated book to capture a child's imagination.
A parenting tool to help parents express their views about life and death.
A memorial gift in memory of someone special.
A bereavement tool to show children how someone grieving might feel.
A teacher's story for children to help lead discussions on loss.
A story for sunday school teachers to help lead discussions on life and death.
A bereavement tool for counselors to assist in their work with children.
A metaphor for heaven to help parents and grandparents talk about life after death.
A fictional nature story to show the natural cycles of life.
A transformation story that parallels the butterfly's metamorphosis and change.