Beyond the Innocence of Childhood, Volume 3: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Death and Bereavement (Professional Practices in Adult Education and Human Resource)

Death is not a mere possibility but a certainty for all of us. Yet, today's society unrealistically portrays childhood as a time of unremittant joy and freedom. Unfortunately, the reality of life may suddenly bring children face to face with tragic circumstances such as the death of their pet, the terminal illness of their parent, their own struggle with life-threatening disease, the accidental death of their sibling, or the suicide of a friend. The gravity of any of these situations takes children beyond the innocence of childhood and plunges them into a world that is frightening and full of uncertainty. Unfortunately, our perceptions and attitudes toward death do not equip children with the tools to help them cope adequately with such overwhelming experiences.

Beyond the Innocence of Childhood is a collection of forty chapters which are divided into three separate volumes. The overall purpose of this series is to answer the question: How do we as educators, clinicians, other professionals, and parents help children and adolescents deal with threat to their lives, dying, death, and bereavement?

In this three volume set the editors have brought together a number of well-known educators, researchers, and practitioners who share their knowledge and expertise concerning the care and well-being of children and adolescents.

Specific to Volume 2

The first part of the second volume of Beyond the Innocence of Childhood focuses on the difficulties and challenges that children and adolescents must face as they try to cope with life-threatening illness or attempted suicide. Therapeutic techniques are explained and useful intervention strategies are offered to health care providers and other professionals. Highlights of this section include:
The use of art
Storytelling
Music therapy
Therapeutic play
Benefits of humor and laughter
Pets as a source of empowerment
Camps as a therapeutic adjunct
Etiology and treatment of suicidal adolescents
Suffering imposed by life-threatening illness
The second part of this volume directly addresses the world of dying children and families whose lives are permanently changed and filled with difficult emotions and formidable challenges. A comprehensive review of factors which influence the dying process and useful guidelines for intervention are provided for caregivers, other professionals, and parents. Features of this section include:
Palliative care
Hospital care versus home care
Lessons from dying adolescents
Therapeutic imagery for pain control
Truthtelling
Influence of spirituality
Developing a children's hospice
Storytelling and reading resource

"Easy to read, it is an excellent resource for adults living and working with children― teachers, counselors, and caregivers alike.  . . .The text provides many practical examples that can be applied in a professional and home setting.  . . .The book covers a breadth of information and vital questions are asked about the way we as adults and as a society view and cope with death. I commend Adams and Deveau for addressing the crux of the issue."
―Kylie Bartolo, Victoria University, Victoria, Canada, Journal of Family Studies, Vol. 5, No. 1, April 1999

"This three volume book is full of fascinating insights into the issues surrounding death and bereavement in childhood and adolescence. It covers more relevant topics than any book I have read for a long time. While some chapters approach the subject academically and analytically, many use practical examples and case histories to illustrate the children's views and issuesEasy to read, it is an excellent resource for adults living and working with children― teachers, counselors, and caregivers alike.  . . .The text provides many practical examples that can be applied in a professional and home setting.  . . .The book covers a breadth of information and vital questions are asked about the way we as adults and as a society view and cope with death. I commend Adams and Deveau for addressing the crux of the issue."
―Kylie Bartolo, Victoria University, Victoria, Canada, Journal of Family Studies, Vol. 5, No. 1, April 1999

"This three volume book is full of fascinating insights into the issues surrounding death and bereavement in childhood and adolescence. It covers more relevant topics than any book I have read for a long time. While some chapters approach the subject academically and analytically, many use practical examples and case histories to illustrate the children's views and issues.  . . . The subject matter is handled well and I did not find the book distressing; indeed I found most chapters easy to read.  . . . It is unusual to come across a book which has so much to offer hospital play specialists even those who do not frequently work with terminally ill children or adolescents.  . . . I recommend that every play department has a copy."

―Judy Walker, The Journal of the Association of Hospital Play, Winter 1998
"Overall, this book is notable for its practical suggestions for caregivers and clinicians and for the diversity of themes addressed. The expertise and humanity of the contributors are often evident in their writing, giving the reader some assurance that the authors have been touched by and learned from their experiences with children, adolescents, and families affected by life-threatening illness. For those working in the field, Beyond the Innocence of Childhood is recommended as a valuable reference and guide for expanding the creative aspects of one's practice."

―Michael A. Bull, The Flinders University of South Australia, Journal of Family Studies, Vol. 5, No. 2, October 1999

"Editors Adams and Deveau present a pertinent collection of contemporary issues inherent in paediatric illness and palliative care. Rich in practical knowledge and workplace models, this volume serves as an applicable and constructive aid to those working with children and adolescents with a life-threatening illness."
―Eileen Hennessy, Manager, Clinical Programs, Center for Grief Education, Victoria, Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement, Winter 2002 .  . . . The subject matter is handled well and I did not find the book distressing; indeed I found most chapters easy to read.  . . . It is unusual to come across a book which has so much to offer hospital play specialists even those who do not frequently work with terminally ill children or adolescents.  . . . I recommend that every play department has a copy."

―Judy Walker, The Journal of the Association of Hospital Play, Winter 1998
"Overall, this book is notable for its practical suggestions for caregivers and clinicians and for the diversity of themes addressed. The expertise and humanity of the contributors are often evident in their writing, giving the reader some assurance that the authors have been touched by and learned from their experiences with children, adolescents, and families affected by life-threatening illness. For those working in the field, Beyond the Innocence of Childhood is recommended as a valuable reference and guide for expanding the creative aspects of one's practice."

―Michael A. Bull, The Flinders University of South Australia, Journal of Family Studies, Vol. 5, No. 2, October 1999

"Editors Adams and Deveau present a pertinent collection of contemporary issues inherent in paediatric illness and palliative care. Rich in practical knowledge and workplace models, this volume serves as an applicable and constructive aid to those working with children and adolescents with a life-threatening illness."
―Eileen Hennessy, Manager, Clinical Programs, Center for Grief Education, Victoria, Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement, Winter 2002