Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused drastic changes in all areas. This is a situation for which the world has turned out to be unprepared. High levels of morbidity and high mortality have had irreparable effects on the emotional and mental state of millions of people. The subject of death has become the center of daily conversation, a topic that is painful for adults and frightening and incomprehensible to children. Many children have lost loved ones without being prepared for how to deal with the pain. Many families and professionals have had to talk to their children about death and look for a more psychologically gentle way to present information.

There are countless publications on how and when to talk to children about death. According to a number of authors, it is important to do it early and not to hide from the children, to be honest with them and to give them a logical explanation for what is happening. Many children's works interpret the topic of death in an easy and accessible way for children, so they can be used in the process of discussing the topic. Also, in times of loss, literature can be an ally to help the child find answers for themselves and feel supported. There is no one-size-fits-all work that can heal a child's soul, but there are many works that can give me the tools to deal with periods of emotional crisis caused by loss. According to the authors in the period of a global pandemic, reading can be an opportunity for more painless understanding and coping.

The purpose of the report is to examine the possibilities of using the books to support the processes related to the perception of loss by children. According to the authors of the report, the therapeutic function of reading is extremely fundamental and can be used as a powerful tool in conversations about death. A survey was conducted among parents of children of different ages who used the power of books to explain to their children the loss of their loved one. A study was made of publications on social networks and electronic media in which to discuss how and when to talk to children about death. Examples from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the present day have been used for the study.

Keywords:

Books, Support, Perception of Loss, Children.