A Devon mother-of-two, inspired to write a story as part of coming to terms with the death of her husband when her sons were only eight and ten, has seen her dream of publishing her story realised, by collaborating with a talented local artist and Devon-based publisher, Southgate Publishers.
Saying Goodbye to Hare will be available to buy from Southgate Publishers and Waterstones Exeter High Street and Roman Gate stores, priced at £3.95 per copy.
The idea for Saying Goodbye to Hare came to Carol Lee as a dream in summer 2011, and she sat down and wrote the emotionally charged, original story in just four hours. She approached friend and illustrator, Donna Bell, to create the beautiful illustrations, which help to tell the tale of young Rabbit witnessing the life, illness and death of his dear friend, Hare.
Saying Goodbye to Hare has its own story behind the story – one of healing after loss. Carol’s husband, Andy, died a year and a day after he was first diagnosed with cancer. Carol is all too aware of how afraid we are of pain and death in our culture and how difficult it can be to find the ‘right words’ – particularly when talking to our children.
The warm and honest story explores some of the feelings and questions that children have about death and dying and enables them to voice their feelings. As Carol has realised through the healing journey she has been on, “What children need most is facts, honesty and a chance to explore and voice their feelings and their natural, optimistic nature. The way they always look forward in life means that they will naturally move on and heal much more easily than adults.”
Carol is also a Grief Support Worker for Balloons, a local charity that provides support for children, young people and their families before an expected death, or following the death, of someone significant in their lives. The author and illustrator have undertaken their work on the book as a gift to Balloons, which will benefit from the sales of the book.
Whilst Saying Goodbye to Hare is a Devon-grown publication, it will be sold nationally – helping schools, hospices, charities and families to support children to better understand, and talk about, bereavement.
For Carol, this really is a dream come true. “For me, writing this book and seeing it going out into the world brings some sort of resolution to my healing journey, as I have come to terms with Andy’s death. To make something positive out of Andy’s death feels amazing and transforming. I can’t put into words how exciting it is for me and the boys.”
Saying Goodbye to Hare can be ordered from SOUTHGATE PUBLISHERS, The Square, Sandford, Crediton, Devon EX17 4LW; Tel: 01363 776888. Email: info@southgatepublishers.co.uk; Web: www.southgatepublishers.co.uk. Books cost £3.95 per copy (and add £2.50 P&P) and there are discounts for multiple copy purchases. Alternatively, the book can be purchased from Waterstones Exeter High Street and Exeter Roman Gate stores.