My Heart Sings a Sad Song (Shockley)

All the Feels

Kind and caring, warm and honest, My Heart Sings a Sad Song helps children process their grief after the death of a loved one.

"Everyone says that I'll be okay—but this minute,
I don't think it's true.
There's an ache deep inside me, way down in my heart,
and it comes from being without you."

Through the pages of My Heart Sings a Sad Song, a young rabbit expresses sadness, loneliness, frustration, disbelief, and a longing for joy again. Included at the book's conclusion: eight recommendations for helping the child in your life grieve a loved one's death, and blank pages for children to draw/write about their feelings and memories.

Praise for My Heart Sings a Sad Song

"Gary Shockley has written a lovely, comforting, uncomplicated story to honor 'those who died and now live forever in our hearts.'"
— Penny V. Phillips, hospice chaplain

"The illustration of talking 'to my heart' is especially meaningful, offering children a model of how to engage their emotions and their memories."
— Jennifer Fargo Lathrop, hospice chaplain

About the Author

Gary Alan Shockley is an artist and author who is dedicated to creating children's books that promote healthy values, social awareness, self-esteem, and empathy. A full elder in the United Methodist Church, Gary is also a spiritual director and certified grief counselor. He has also written Sammie's Flat Dog.

Hardcover 10" x 8", 32 pages
ISBN 978-0-8298-0150-7
2024