Is your child struggling to understand why someone they love is gone?

Are you searching for the right words to explain death or loss to a young heart?

Do you need a gentle way to help your child express feelings they can’t yet name?

I Can’t Believe They’re Gone is the award-winning children’s grief book endorsed by grief professionals. Follow a loving mouse family as Wise Old Bear helps each one understand their unique feelings – showing children (and adults) that there’s no wrong way to grieve.

Awards & Recognition:

Winner – Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal (Children’s Grief)

Winner – Firebird Book Award (Children’s Grief)

Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews

Endorsed by psychologists, therapists, and grief professionals

Used by police chaplains and first responders

Available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Written by award-winning Australian author and former primary school teacher Karen Brough, whose books are used by psychologists, schools, grief professionals, and families around the world, I Can’t Believe They’re Gone offers a gentle, story-based way to help children understand loss and express big emotions safely.

I Can’t Believe They’re Gone is proudly endorsed by psychologists, therapists, healthcare professionals, and Australia’s foremost childhood grief authority.

Disclaimer: This endorsement is offered in a professional capacity and relates to this book only. It does not necessarily imply endorsement of the author’s personal beliefs, worldview, or other content.

From First Responders & Frontline Professionals

From Clinical Psychologists & Therapists

From Publication Reviews

I Can’t Believe They’re Gone doesn’t present grief as a one-size-fits-all experience. Instead, it shows five different family members, each experiencing loss in their own unique way:

Mumma Mouse feels sad and cries tears. She finds comfort in prayer, baking, and creative expression.

Papa Mouse feels flat and exhausted. He keeps busy, fixing things and staying productive.

Big Mouse feels angry and has energy that needs to come out. He bangs and crashes, plays drums, kicks the soccer ball.

Small Mouse feels guilty and worried. She cuddles her teddy, writes in her journal, and wonders “if only…”

Tiny Mouse feels numb and silent. He withdraws, can’t sleep, and struggles to feel anything at all – until Bear helps him find his voice.

Children see themselves in these responses and learn that however they’re feeling is okay. This book aims to show readers that grief isn’t a linear experience, but an often messy one. 

Wise Old Bear – The Heart of the Story

Throughout the story, each mouse visits Wise Old Bear to understand why they feel the way they do. Bear’s gentle, validating responses give both children and adults the language to talk about grief:

“You’re sad because you’ve lost someone dear.”

“Maybe you’re flat because you’ve used up a lot of energy with all that has happened.”

“Maybe because you’ve lost someone dear, you miss them, and can’t do anything to change it?”

“Maybe you feel guilty because you’ve lost someone dear, and you wish they could be here, just like you.”

“Feeling numb means you’ve lost someone dear. And you’re trying to work out what life will be like, without them near.”

And always, Bear’s reassuring refrain: “Emotions aren’t good or bad, or right or wrong – they just are.”

This story is not a clinical therapy manual or heavy educational text.

It is a gentle, comforting story designed to open conversations, validate feelings, and help children express emotions in safe and natural ways.

Families, educators, therapists, and chaplains often use this book as a starting point for meaningful conversations about grief, loss, and big life changes.

While Karen’s personal faith informs the compassion behind her writing, this story itself is gentle, inclusive, and accessible to families of all backgrounds. It focuses on emotional understanding, comfort, and connection, making it suitable for homes, schools, counselling settings, and community use.

I Can’t Believe They’re Gone is for anyone supporting a child through grief – and for anyone grieving alongside them.

For Children Who Are Grieving:

Ages 4-8 experiencing grief or loss – whether recent or ongoing

Children struggling to understand or express their emotions

Children who need reassurance that their feelings are normal

Children who respond to stories about animals and gentle characters

Children who need help understanding that everyone grieves differently

This Book Helps Children Navigate Many Kinds of Grief

Grief isn’t only about death – children grieve many changes and losses in their lives. This book helps children understand their feelings around:

Death & Bereavement:

Death of a grandparent, parent, sibling, or other family member

Death of a pet

Death of a friend or classmate

Family Changes:

Divorce or separation of parents

A parent being away (military deployment, work, prison)

Family estrangement or losing contact with a loved one

Friendship & Social Grief:

A best friend moving away

End of a friendship

Feeling left out or excluded

Life Transitions:

Moving house or changing schools

A beloved teacher, caregiver, or nanny leaving

A new sibling changing family dynamics

Loss of routine or “normal life” due to illness or disability

Loss of Dreams or Expectations:

A parent’s illness changing what life looks like

Not making a team or missing an opportunity

Life not turning out how they expected

The beauty of Wise Old Bear’s message – “Emotions aren’t good or bad, or right or wrong – they just are” – applies to ALL of these situations.

For Parents & Caregivers Who:

Are struggling to find the right words to help their grieving child

Want a gentle tool to open conversations about death and loss

Need reassurance that their family’s grief responses are normal

Want a book that validates all emotions without judgement

For Professionals Who:

Are psychologists, therapists, or counselors working with grieving children

Are school counselors needing resources for bereaved students

Are teachers wanting to support grieving children in their classroom

Work in pediatric healthcare, hospice, or bereavement support

Are police chaplains, first responders, or crisis support workers

Need a resource to leave with families after a loss

The Story Journey:

The mouse family has lost someone dear. Each family member experiences grief differently – and each visits Wise Old Bear to understand their feelings.

Mumma Mouse is sad and cries. Bear helps her understand this is love.

Papa Mouse feels flat and keeps busy. Bear explains he’s used up his energy.

Big Mouse is angry and needs to move. Bear validates his need to release.

Small Mouse feels guilty and worried. Bear reassures her she did nothing wrong.

Tiny Mouse is numb and silent – until Bear gently helps him find his voice.

The family comes together for a memory picnic, celebrating their loved one while honoring their different ways of grieving.

Beautiful Illustrations

Illustrator Hiruni Kariyawasam brings this emotional journey to life with beautiful watercolor and ink illustrations.

“Son’s Favorite Grief Book”

“We lost my husband last year. There have been a handful of books I have purchased but this one brought my 8yo (now 9) peace about the different feelings of grief. He couldn’t tell me exactly why he liked it but I believe it’s that everyone feels differently and the repeating line of, ‘feelings aren’t good or bad, they just are.’ I think it allowed him to give himself permission to feel whatever he is feeling. At one point we were reading it every day because it just helped him.”

— Verified Amazon Purchase

“As a Teacher, Librarian and Parent, I Highly Recommend This Book”

“This is a beautiful story written by an author who truly understands how to help children voice their feelings. It stands out… through the simple yet powerful concept of teaching children that any response to grief is normal. I’m teaching in high school now and I see the struggles even teens endure. This is why the book stands out. The story is gentle and thoughtful and not overtly didactic like other books out there. This one truly opens the door for discussion when read together with an adult.”

— Verified Amazon Purchase (Teacher, Librarian & Parent)

“Helped Our Whole Family After Losing Grandma”

“Even though this book is a children’s picture book for processing grief, it touched the deep places of each of us as adults. Each of us shared which character in the Mouse family we related to in our ways of experiencing grief. Some of us felt angry, others felt sad, some dived into work mode, others felt numb. It was healing to know ’emotions aren’t good or bad, right or wrong – they just are.’ We give thanks for this beautiful book and read it over and over again.”

– Verified Amazon Purchase

“All Ages Connected With It”

“I purchased this after my husband and I both lost a parent in the last year. The message is important for adults and kids alike; grief can come in different shapes and sizes. My 12 and 9 year old read this on their own and then found me to tell me about it being a really good book :)”

– Verified Amazon Purchase

“After Losing Our Dog”

“I read this to my 5yo and it supported us to manage our own grief following the recent loss of our family dog. The themes in the book are just as relevant to children as they are to adults; I too felt some warm reminders as we moved through the book together.”

– Goodreads Review

“Simply Wonderful”

“This books is simply wonderful. The author obviously knows how to speak to kids! Technically a kids book but I found that it really spoke to my heart and brought some healing too.”

– Verified Amazon Purchase

“Opens Up Important Conversations”

“This simple yet profound story uses a tale of a family of mice to gently explore what we go through after we lose a close family member or friend. Beautifully illustrated and clearly written from the heart, it is a pleasure to read, but also a resource that can be used in a situation of grief and will open up those all-important conversations with little ones about their feelings.”

– Amazon UK Review

“The Right Words When You Don’t Know What to Say”

“The story is presented in a simple but effective way. When children experience the loss of someone, and we need to counsel them, we might not find the exact words to say at that moment. This book is a way to help us reach out effectively to children when they go through that particular moment in their lives.”

– Verified Amazon Purchase

“Fabulously Written”

“Fabulously written, brilliant use of repetition and really good message for children feeling big complex feelings around losing someone. Can not recommend enough.”

– Amazon UK Review

Karen Brough — Author

Karen wrote this book after walking through significant grief in her own life.

During a year spent studying grief alongside a counsellor, she came to understand more deeply the many ways grief and loss touches the human heart.

At the end of that year, a dear friend died, leaving behind a grieving family and entire community. Wanting to offer genuine comfort and support, Karen found herself asking: How can I truly help?

This gentle story was the answer that poured from her heart. Today, her books are used by families, schools, therapists, and grief support professionals around the world.

Karen Brough is an award-winning author from Melbourne, Australia, with a heart for creating stories that bring comfort and hope.

Karen has always had a passion for books, spending countless school lunchtimes in the library. She eventually became a primary school teacher, maintaining her connection with children’s literature.

She loves to make reading fun and tells a great yarn in children’s books. Most of her stories are based on real-life events. In all her writing, you’ll be left feeling better about yourself, hopeful, inspired, and ready to spread the love with those around you.

Other Award-Winning Books by Karen:

Angie Loves to Dance

A heartwarming tale about following your dreams

Hiruni Kariyawasam – Illustrator

Hiruni is from Sri Lanka and lives in her hometown, Ambalangoda. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design from the University of Moratuwa, and today is a full-time illustrator.

She enjoys doing paintings, fine illustrations, and especially illustrations for children’s books in her unique style, mixing digital and watercolour techniques.

Title: I Can’t Believe They’re Gone

Subtitle: A Kid’s Grief Book That Hugs, Helps, and Gives Hope

Author: Karen Brough

Illustrator: Hiruni Kariyawasam

Publisher: Heart Hope Publishing, Melbourne, Australia

First Published: August 2023

Page Count: 32 pages

Reading Time: Approximately 10 minutes

Age Range: Ages 4-8 (though all ages find comfort)

Awards & Recognition:

Winner – Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal (Children’s Grief)

Winner – Firebird Book Award (Children’s Grief)

Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews

Endorsed by Psychologists and Therapists

Used by Victoria Police Chaplaincy

Formats Available:

Paperback (ISBN: 978-0-6454975-40)

Hardback (ISBN: 978-0-6454975-64)

Ebook

Audiobook – Narrated by the author

Available Languages:

English | French | German | Italian | Spanish

If this book has supported your child, you may also find comfort in Karen Brough’s other gentle, award-winning stories designed to help children understand emotions, navigate change, and feel reassured they are not alone.

The Tale of The Little Black Cloud

A tender story about sadness, friendship, and feeling lighter again.

Used by psychologists and educators to support emotional expression.

The Coast is Clear

A calming bedtime story with a unique mirror-poem structure designed to help children relax and feel safe at bedtime.

Angie Loves to Dance

A joyful story about living fully, carrying joy in your heart, and celebrating the people we love.

This book is frequently recommended by therapists, educators, chaplains, and grief support professionals searching for gentle, story-based resources to help children understand loss, express emotions safely, and feel reassured that their responses to grief are normal.

What age is this book for?

I Can’t Believe They’re Gone is designed for children ages 4-8. However, as Police Chaplain Rev Jim Jung notes, “I’ve found equal response from all age groups.” Many families report that adults find comfort in the book’s messages too.

Will this book help my child who is grieving?

Yes – in a gentle way that doesn’t force emotions. As Dianne McKissock OAM (Co-founder, National Centre for Childhood Grief) writes: “I can imagine many parents, teachers and others who care, facilitating invaluable individual and family discussions as they hold this precious book in their hands.”

Does this book only address grief from death?

No – while the story centres on a family who has lost someone dear, the book’s message applies to ALL kinds of grief: divorce, a friend moving away, changing schools, a parent being away, family changes, and any situation where children experience loss or big emotions. Wise Old Bear’s message – “Emotions aren’t good or bad, or right or wrong – they just are” – helps children with any kind of grief.

Can therapists and counselors use this book professionally?

Absolutely! The book is endorsed and used by registered psychologists, clinical social workers, school counselors, and police chaplains. It aligns with therapeutic frameworks including Attachment Theory, Dual Process Model, and Continuing Bonds.

What’s the key message of the book?

The central message, repeated throughout by Wise Old Bear, is: “Emotions aren’t good or bad, or right or wrong – they just are.” This gives children (and adults) permission to feel whatever they’re feeling without shame.

Can I order in bulk for my organization?

Yes! Contact Karen directly for bulk pricing for schools, hospitals, chaplaincy services, hospices, and grief support organizations.

Available in:

Perfect for:

• Families experiencing loss

• School counseling libraries

• Therapy practices

• Police chaplaincy & first responder services

• Pediatric healthcare settings

• Hospice and bereavement programs

• Churches and faith communities

For Bulk Orders: Contact Karen directly for bulk pricing for organizations.

The I Can’t Believe They’re Gone Workbook & Toddler Edition

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Sign up at: karenbrough.com/free-resources

Karen Brough is an author from Melbourne, Australia, passionate about creating stories that bring comfort and hope to children and adults alike.

Website: www.karenbrough.com

Children’s Books: www.karenbrough.com/kids

Free Resources: www.karenbrough.com/free-resources

Social Media:

Publisher:

Heart Hope Publishing Melbourne, Australia

Has this book helped your family or your practice?

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Thank you for supporting families through grief.