It’s Lydie’s birthday today but she’s not here.

In this honest and heartfelt story two brothers go on an emotional journey to find a way to connect with their baby sister.

A true and uplifting story for young children about love, loss and hope.

 
 

Sands Garden Day Remembrance Event 2022

 

Sands Garden Day Remembrance Event 2022

 

I was honoured to be part of this very special event - the Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity) Garden Day Remembrance Event at the National Memorial Arboretum, where there is a dedicated Sands Memorial Garden, and where I later placed a pebble for Lydie…

A river of pebbles before me, all different, all placed ever so gently, ever so carefully. As I stood there alone I could feel so much love and an enveloping feeling of being held, of standing with so many, in remembrance, in understanding, in stillness.
— Emma Poore

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About Emma Poore, Author and Illustrator

In 2010 when we left hospital without our daughter and only a handful of baby loss leaflets to hand, as parents we struggled to find anything suitable to read with our 3 year old son. There were a few books that vaguely touched on “death” but they didn’t address the death of a baby. We desperately needed a picture book that might help him and, in turn, us all as a family. George could not understand where Lydie had gone and why she had left. Could he go and see her in a rocket and take her his favourite teddy bear? Was she cold and lonely? Who would look after her?

SANDS were able to support us in travelling through this unbearable minefield of grief and specifically George’s childhood loss of a sibling, together, as a family.

Three years ago I attended a book writing course. I didn’t go with the intention to write a book for young children about childhood loss but the words just came pouring out. It’s my sincere hope and wish that it might help other children and families who find themselves walking the same path as us.

 
 
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Extracts from the book

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A review by SANDS

 
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Where are you Lydie? A book about childhood loss and bereavement

 “Where are You Lydie?” is a beautifully illustrated exploration of the death of a sibling for children of all ages. The matter of fact conversations which touch on profound issues and then bounce back to “What’s for tea?”, so typical of children, are beautifully captured and provide a safe and inspiring space for children and adults alike to explore bereavement.

Sands is delighted to recommend this special book, which will support families experiencing bereavement of any type and will have an extra special place for those families who have lost a baby before, during or shortly after birth.

— Jen Coates, Director of Bereavement Support, Sands

Download the Sands Bereavement Support Book or the Sands Bereavement Support App on your device, or by visiting www.sands.org.uk/app Find out about other ways Sands offers support at www.sands.org.uk/support

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“Only angels can come down and spend time on earth so I want Lydie to be an angel.”