Sad about Sammy is a must-have for grieving families
and for first responders who come into contact with them.
Carefully developed illustrations and language apply to individual families regardless of gender, race, age, religious preference, and child's cause of death.
No other resource offers so much in one beautiful little package.
Finding the words to help ease children into the reality of the death of a loved one is an overwhelming task for freshly grief-stricken parents.
Sad about Sammy is a first response book designed to assist families. It offers read-aloud text and engaging, colorful illustrations for young children coupled with helpful parent information geared toward navigating delicate matters of sibling grief. The dual-sided approach to telling the story allows for two completely different, yet parallel experiences to happen side by side, parent, and child.
Written with the compassionate voice of a mother who suffered the devastation of losing a child, co-written with the expertise of a Child Development Specialist, Sad about Sammy gives parents gentle and direct language to say what must be said.
“On behalf of the many grieving families I have worked with, I extend my gratitude and deep appreciation...Throughout 26 years of ministry, first as a civilian pastor and now as a military chaplain, I know that there are few resources available with this depth of insight for use with children...Help has arrived for hurting families searching for a way to communicate death to surviving children...Thank you... for this remarkable gift!”
Author and Contributors
Tonya Southwick, Author
Lost her second child during infancy to surgical complications caused by congenital heart defects. This devastating loss heightened her lifelong commitment to helping children. In direct response to her own family's loss, and with hopes to help other families begin their journey toward healing, she authored and illustrated Sad About Sammy.
Currently residing in Ohio, Tonya enjoys working in arts administration, outdoor activities, volunteering for children's charities, and exploring the arts in her free time.
Valette Sopp, Contributing Author
Received her Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology and Child Development from The Ohio State University. She worked with the University in developing their Child Development Field Experience, and has supervised students within that program. She has worked with and been a teacher of young children for seventeen years. Enjoying artistic pursuits, Valette also enjoys painting murals for homes and businesses and currently resides with her husband in Ohio.
Scott Southwick, Graphic Design, Photography
Scott is the first of Tonya's four children, and in memory of his sister, contributed the graphic design, illustration photography, and photo editing for Sad about Sammy.
Scott is a Graphic Designer, living and working in Asheville, NC.