The WiSSP Resource Library

ART/LITERATURE/POETRY

1.    Grieving, Healing, Growing, by West Suburban Chapter of the Compassionate Friends, Hinsdale, IL, 1983.

     A collection of writings by bereaved parents and bereavement professionals.

2.   Jason's Picture - The Butterfly and The Frog, by Centering Corporation, Omaha, NE, 1984.

     Short pamphlet that describes the art work and story of a grieving child as shared with his counselor.

3.   She Was Born, She Died, by Marion Cohen; Centering Corporation, Human Services Press, Omaha, 1983.

     A collection of poems written following the death of an infant.

4.   A Rainbow After the Storm, by Susan Erling; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Clinic, St. Paul, MN, 1983.

    The author's tribute to her stillborn son, Jesse. A collection of poems and writings about the birth and death of Jesse and the subsequent birth of premature twins.

5.   In the Midst of Winter: Selections from the Literature of Mourning, by Mary Jane Moffat (ed.); Vintage Books, 1982.

    A collection of passages from world literature. Although the passages reflect the thoughts and actions of individuals who have survived the death of someone they loved, they also apply to other forms of loss one might endure.

6.   Annie and the Old One, by Miska Miles; Little, Brown & Co., 1971.

    The sensitive story of a young Indian girl coming to terms with the death of her grandmother. Death is described as the eventual end of all living things.

7.   The Limits of Miracles, by Marion Deutsche Cohen; Bergin & Garvey Publishers, Massachusetts, 1985.

    Poems about adoption and loss of babies through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death.

8.   Song for Sarah, by Paula D'Arcy; Harold Shaw Publishers.

    A diary written by a woman who is pregnant and subsequently loses her daughter and husband in an accident.  The diary begins with prenatal thoughts of the daughter and continues on after the deaths.

9.    Meditations for Bereaved Parents, edited by Judy Osgood; Gilgal Publications.

    Contains short (1-2 pp) messages from a number of parents who share by writing their anger and anguish as well as their insights that have enabled them to heal after the death of a child.  Contains Bible verses, short prayers and some short poems.

10.  Tiny Baby - Poetry on Miscarriage, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center.

    A collection of poems by mothers of miscarried babies. It offers an intimate look into the hearts of others who have suffered a similar loss. (Reprinted from booklet forward).

11.  The Shadow of an Angel, by Marion Deutsche Cohen; The Liberal Press, 1986.

    This is the diary of a pregnant mother following a previous pregnancy which ended in neonatal death.  The author reveals her memories, fears, hopes, and eventual joy as she discovers that the loss of one child was not the end of her reproductive years.

12.  Dear Parents - Letters to Bereaved Parents, by Centering Corporation, Omaha, Nebraska, 1989.

    A collection of letters written by bereaved parents and nationally known educators, authors, and public leaders. The authors share their personal thoughts, feelings, and advice following the death of a child. Their reflections include experiences with miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, and the death of older children.

13.  The Anguish of Loss, by Julie Fritsch with Sherokee Isle; Pregnancy & Infant Loss Center of MN, 1988.

    This is a compilation of 21 pictures of emotionally moving sculptures, with accompanying prose, that conveys the anguish of "what might have been" by visually expressing the tremendous grief, sorrow and barrenness experienced by parents who have suffered the loss of a child/infant/wanted pregnancy.

14.  Baby by Patricia MacLachlan; Delacourte Press, 1993.

    This is a short novel which tells the story of a family which takes in an abandoned baby. Some of the members of the family are afraid to love the baby, because she was left with a note from her mother saying she would be back for her someday. Having lost a baby to stillbirth a year before, the family fears the pain of another loss. Through coping with the impending loss of the baby which they have taken in, the family must grapple with unresolved issues about the stillbirth of their own baby. This well-written book explores loss and the healing powers of language and love. The language of the book is simple enough to be appropriate for an adolescent, but it is powerful and provocative enough to be of value to adults.

15.  A Child Dies:  A Portrait of Family Grief (Second Edition) by Joan Hagan Arnold and Penelope Buschman Gemma; The Charles Press, Publishers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1994.

    This classic resource on parental bereavement is a wonderful book for the professional library.

     The book opens with a few chapters which outline the meaning of loss, the role of children within a family, and the process of grieving a child’s death.  The following chapters are then devoted to discussing the impact of the loss of a child at various stages in development.  The response of parents, siblings and other survivors is then reviewed in following chapters.  The final sections are spent aiding the professional in working with grieving families. 

     One strength of this book is its poignant use of art (illustrations, photographs, poetry, and various writings) to reflect the impact of a child’s loss on those who are grieving.  Accounts of the experiences of real families in grief also serve to enhance this book.  Particular attention is paid to stillbirth in the chapter on death before birth and during infancy. 

     This book is geared towards professionals working with grieving families; however, some families may benefit from this well-written bereavement resource. 

16.  I Knew You For A Moment by Donna L. Roehl and Charlene Danielson Nelson, eds, ; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center, Inc., 1995.

    A collection of touching poems written by family members who have suffered the loss of a baby, written in memory of those lost, this book provides an intimate look into the hearts and minds of grieving parents, grandparents, and siblings. 

17.  Sand and Water, by Beth Neilsen Chapman; c. 1997, Reprise Records

    Music is another form of creative expression that may be helpful in coping with grief. Beth Nielsen Chapman's on her CD, Sand and Water , is a compilation of songs written by Chapman that chronicle her grief following the death of her husband from cancer in 1994.  (The title song, "Sand and Water" may be familiar, as it has received frequent air time.)  The CD also includes guest artists Michael MacDonald ("Seven Shades of Blue") and Bonnie Raitt ("Heads Up for the Wrecking Ball"). 

     Chapman says, "The songs on this album reflect many stages of grief and healing for me....I hope this music will touch a chord with others who have lost a loved one."  Parents may want to listen to the music as a way of remembering and coping, or may find a song appropriate for inclusion in a memorial service.   The grief she writes and sings about can be understood by all who mourn, whether the loved one lost is a baby or an adult. 

18.    Whispers from the Heart—A Collection of Poems and Thoughts Lovingly Written and Dedicated to All Our Babies.  SHARE Celebrates 20 Years — Circle of Compassion Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, October, 1997.

     Whispers from the  Heart is a collection of writings by parents and other family members whose baby died through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death.  The collection includes poetry, memorials, journal entries and other forms of remembrances. 

     For bereaved families who find comfort in the written word, or for those who want to know they are not alone but don't have access to or would not feel comfortable in a support group, this booklet would be a good choice.  Not available for purchase, Whispers from the  Heart can be borrowed from the WiSSP lending library.