Life Is Like the Wind

by Shona Innes, Írisz Agócs

B.E.S. A Big Hug series offers a gentle and direct approach to the emotional issues that children face. Written by a clinical child psychologist, these books encourage youngsters to share and discuss tough topics with family and friends. Life is Like the Wind introduces the concept of death to young readers by likening life to the ever-moving wind. When the wind is present, things move and fly and flutter about. When the wind goes away, things become very still. "Life is like the wind.
When life goes away, the body is very still
The body cannot move or feel
or do anything anymore.
Where does life go when it goes from the body?" From there, the authors explore the feelings we have when a loved one's life goes away, how we cope with missing them, and how we can celebrate their memory. It also introduces the various things people believe happens to a life that has moved on. Endearing illustrations of animals enjoying, missing, comforting, and honoring one another do a wonderful job of conveying the message that although life is very precious, "when it is time for the life to leave, it will go."

Genres: Death, Picture Books, Childrens, Grief, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2014

Reviews

[Dream.M · Rating 3 out of 5]

کی میگه مرگ یه اتفاق طبیعیه؟

[Rana Heshmati · Rating 3 out of 5]

(سه و نيم ستاره)
يه جاهايی خيلی قشنگ مطرح كرده بود قضيه رو،‌ اما يه جاهايی هم احساس می‌كنم خيلی رو بود. می‌زد تو ذوق.

[Fatemeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

کاش کودک بودم. خیلی کتاب‌های کودک خوبن. 🥲

[A. Aвdι · Rating 3 out of 5]

زندگي شبيه باد است :)
كتابي راجع به كودكان و مفهوم زندگي و مرگ

زندگي شبيه باد است. با اينكه نمي‌شود باد را ديد، مي‌دانيم يك جايي همين دور و بر است ^_^

[Ayda · Rating 2 out of 5]

فکر نمی‌کنم مفاهیمش برای یک کودک مناسب باشه...
بعضی بخش‌ها خوب؛ بعصی دیگه واقعا نیازی به بیان نداشت... مثل تجزیه‌ی بدن!
در حوزه‌ی سوگ برای کودکان، کتاب‌های بهتری هست

[Courtney Lauren Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Is Like the Wind by Shona Innes has to be one of the best children's books I have read in a while. Many people may disagree and say that the topic of this book is far beyond what a child should be reading about. I think that is why I enjoyed it so much. The story talks about life and death and what they both really mean. Some people may be put off by the idea of their child learning about death at a young age, but what better way to explain it than with a children's book?

One part that stuck out to me the most in this story was this quote,
"Life is like the wind.
When life goes away, the body is very still
The body cannot move or feel
or do anything anymore.
Where does life go when it goes from the body?"

That is a very difficult question for an adult to answer, much less a child. The story is a great way to help a child understand what it means to die. Life is not always rainbows and butterflies. There will be difficult conversations to have and I think Shona Innes wrote this book beautifully and explained what life and death really mean in a way that a child can understand. It is hard to always know just what to say, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who does need a little help in explaining life and death to their child. Besides the overall message of the book, the text and illustrations were very nicely done and contributed to the over all amazing quality of the book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful yet simple explanation about death. Written clearly and in terms a younger child will understand. Soft and simplistic watercolor illustrations support the message found in the text. Highly recommended.

[Son · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was wonderful. I loved that the author chose to give equal treatment to all beliefs as to what might happen after one dies.

[Shirin · Rating 2 out of 5]

"زندگی شبیه باد است.با اینکه نمی‌شود باد را دید می‌دانیم یک جایی همین دور و بر است."
"زندگی همیشه یک جای تازه برای رفتن پیدا می‌کند."
فکر میکنم یه جایی خوب توضیح داده بود ولی یه جاهایی هم خیلی مناسب نبود.

[Astiazh · Rating 5 out of 5]

نسخه ی فارسی این کتاب رو مثل یسری از کتابهای خوب دیگه ندیدم اینجا ولی خب معرفیش می کنم.
یکی دیگه از کتابهای خوب که مفهوم مرگ رو برای بچه ها به زیبایی توضیح میده.
زندگی مثل باد دیده نمی شود اما باعث حرکت ماست و وقتی میره بدن ما از حرکت میمونه.
کتاب تو ایران توسط انتشارات لوپه تو در مجموعه ای تحت عنوان# چی مثل چیه #با نام ##زندگی مثل باد## است چاپ شده با ترجمه آزاد افسانه شعبان نژاد.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new go-to book on death for young children. Written in a way that is sensitive to varied belief systems and world views this explains death clearly and honestly in way that is not frightening but peaceful. A++

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, simple book about death for children. It doesn’t profess to answer the hard questions, but it discusses what people think in a matter of fact way. Just lovely.

[Åmîrö ghaderi (≡^∇^≡) · Rating 5 out of 5]

خیلی مفهوم مرگ رو قشنگ توضیح داده

[Arghavan · Rating 2 out of 5]

هیچ از صحبت درمورد مفاهیم انتزاعی مثل جان/روح و بهشت و خدا و غیره برای بچه‌ای که سوگوار شده خوشم نمی‌آد و به جاش ترجیح می‌دم که درمورد مواجهه با احساساتمون پس از ازدست‌دادن صحبت کنیم. ضمن این که توضیح پدیده‌ی «تدفین» واقعن خوشایند نیست که هیچ، ترسناک هم می‌تونه باشه برای بچه‌ها. واقعن موافقِ اون همه تفصیلِ مساله‌ی «جان» نبودم و نیستم و این کتاب رو هم نپسندیدم.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely adorable. It gives children an idea of what death is like for others who may have experienced it without actually using the word death. This book has a nice meaning behind it and is very sweet.

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very gentle story on the concept of death and what happens to us when we are gone. I think this was really well done.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book on the topic of life and death. Very accessible and a good place to begin discussing it.

[Aylar Solhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

سلام. این‌ها رو برای یه آدم بزرگ‌ دیگه مثل خودم نوشته بودم.
"می‌دونی چی خیلی جالبه؟ دقیقا همین‌ که تو می‌تونی فقط با نگاه کردن به تصویر از داستان سر دربیاری و توی هر صفحه فقط چندتا جمله کوتاه نوشته شده. آدم اینجوری احساس می‌کنه می‌تونه تموم مشکلات رو به آرومی و سادگی حل کنه و اصلا هم با پیچیدگیشون اذیت نشه. مثلا من احساس‌ خیلی ترسناکی به مرگ دارم. بعد خوندن این حس کردم ذهنم خالیه و هیچ چیزی هم گنگ و مبهم نیست. اینکه فکر کنی زندگی مثل باد جایی نمی‌مونه خیلی احساس سبکی عجیبی‌ داره. "زندگی راهش را به سمت آسمان کج می‌کند و هر شب از کنار ستاره‌ها، به آن‌هایی که دوستشان‌ داریم چشمک می‌زند."
می‌شه تصور کرد چقدر می‌تونم با این جمله گریه کنم. من دوست دارم فکر کنم که رهام و مثل باد می‌تونم هر جا بوزم."

[Zoraida Rivera Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tackles a difficult topic with regard. Comparing life with the wind is a well chosen example to show kids how things change when it's gone. It, also, shows respect for life and different ways that people view death.

It presents diverse religious and non-religious ways of seeing life. It, also, shows how different people deal with it. The parent must read and decide if the child is ready for this information depending on the child's age and be ready to answer the questions that may arise and explain their beliefs.

As the author explains in her note at the end, this book is meant to provide a means to promote dialogue when facing a loss.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a book to try and explain life and death to a child because they are asking, or life events are happening, THIS is your book. WOW, I was not expecting this when we grabbed this book at library but it is so deep and so beautifully worded for a child's understanding of life in simple to understand terms. Great work of art in explaining a massive concept in a simple, light hearted fashion.

[Okuto Fumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the pictures. Lady birds, the sky filled with stars. I am still reading it sometimes when I miss my dad. It is difficult to let go of the Life, the one you really felt close to. It helps me in this way, to just think about him is okay. Shona has a very strong message in her picture books, and this one really helped me and my son from the loss we had 9 months ago.

[Haaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this at a pretty rough time for me. April marks the anniversary of my dad's passing which is always really tough for me. Even though this is a children's book it was helpful to think about. Life is like the wind. The wind doesn't disappear, it just goes some where else.

[Yong Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding the inevitable of death is the beginning of respecting, cherishing, caring and loving, is our strength to live a meaningful life.

Shona find a very good way to help children understand a topic most of us have difficulty introduce to kids.

Great job, excellent book.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where does life go when it leaves a body? Some say into the ground giving new life to trees and flowers.

This book gives several “some say…”

A good book to invite questions and to validate feelings.

Look also at Friendship is like a Seesaw.

[Zahra tavakoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتابی تصویری برای آشنایی کودکان با مفهوم زندگی و مرگ. متن کتاب داستانی نیست و بیشتر تعلیمی است. تمثیل کتاب جالب و به جاست و به درک مفاهیم مورد نظر کمک می‌کند.تصویرگری این مجموعه را خیلی دوست دارم. به نظرم مناسب بالای شش سال.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book that explains death to children in a factual manner. What it means to die, what happens after we die and the grieving process for those left behind.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this for the children's story at our Unitarian church. It was perfect. Illustrated the many responses to death and grief self-care.

[Nurnajmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebagus itu beb.

[Ni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle loving book written as an analogy about the different meanings of life and death. This book will soothe grieving hearts of children and adults alike.

[Freddie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle approach to teaching children about death and grief. It's open-minded, informative and absolutely lovely. The illustrations are also very sweet.