ABOUT THE BOOK

Ruairí’s Rocket to heaven is a children’s book written to help families, carers and professionals explore, and navigate the difficult topic of death and bereavement with children from the age of 4+ years old.

It is a story of heartbreak, and hope, and of everlasting love and connection between two brothers. Unfortunately it’s a story that isn’t just my family’s, many young children have to go through this, and it’s my heartfelt hope that this book can provide some guidance, comfort, understanding and hope to other children and their families as they navigate the difficult and complex landscape of grief.

The story is about the life and love between two brothers, Charlie and Ruairí, their time together, and Charlie’s journey navigating life after his brother’s death.

In the first part of the story, it describes a beautiful little boy Ruairí, his life with his older brother Charlie and the things they enjoyed together e.g. playing, bath-time, cuddles and more.

The second part of the story is about Charlie’s journey finding his way in life without his brother as a young boy, learning to understand the big and difficult feelings grief brings such as sadness, anger, confusion and fear, and discovering ways to find comfort in his memories and express his love for his baby brother.

The story was illustrated by Beth Cole. Beth is an amazingly talented, considered and intuitive artist. She illustrated my boys and the emotion inside each memory within the story so beautifully, just how I envisioned. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Beth. You can find her work at instagram.com/herebythewoods