The Glow - Life, death & the light within

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Glow: Life, Death & The Light Within about?

The Glow is a gentle, beautifully illustrated children's picture book that helps kids (ages roughly 4–10) understand the concepts of life, death, and what happens when someone or something we love dies. It uses the comforting metaphor of an inner "glow"—a unique, loving light inside every living thing that connects us all—to explain that when a person or pet dies, their glow returns home, but it lives on forever in our hearts, memories, and the love we shared. The poetic story reassures children that loved ones are never truly gone, reducing fear around death while honouring the sadness of loss.

How does The Glow help parents explain death to young children?

The book provides a tender, spiritual-yet-inclusive way to start conversations about death without being scary. It encourages using honest, clear words (like "died" instead of euphemisms) and offers practical and comprehensive parent/teacher notes in the back with tips on supporting grieving kids—such as giving them space to feel big emotions, offering hugs and reassurance (it's not their fault), and ways to remember loved ones through photos, stories, memory boxes, or talking about happy times. The "glow" metaphor adapts easily to different family beliefs (soul, energy, divine light, etc.), making it a versatile tool for families, teachers, or caregivers navigating loss.

Is The Glow suitable for children dealing with grief or the death of a pet/family member?

Yes—it's specifically designed as a comforting resource for children experiencing grief, whether from losing a grandparent, parent, sibling, friend, or pet. The story gently addresses the pain of saying goodbye while emphasizing lasting connection and love. It helps normalise mixed feelings (sadness, confusion, anger) and shows that grief is a natural part of life. Many families use it during tough times to open safe discussions and help kids feel less alone or afraid.

What age group is The Glow: Life, Death & The Light Within best for?

It's ideal for children aged approximately 4–10 years old (preschool through early elementary), though it can be read with younger ones alongside parents or adapted for slightly older kids. The rhythmic verses, evocative illustrations, and simple yet profound message make it accessible and emotionally supportive. Adults (parents, teachers, counsellors) find the included guidance notes invaluable for facilitating age-appropriate talks about life cycles, loss, and staying connected to those who've died.

Why choose The Glow over other children's books about death and dying?

Unlike many books on the topic, The Glow takes a warm, spiritual approach using the universal metaphor of an inner light/glow, which feels inclusive across beliefs and avoids being overly religious or clinical. It focuses on hope, connection, and love enduring beyond physical death, paired with practical adult notes from an end-of-life educator perspective (praised by experts like Tilly Stevens for reducing fear around dying). As part of the Wildling Books collection (which includes emotional intelligence tools like How Do I Feel? and Let It Go), it pairs beautifully with resources for naming and releasing feelings during grief.

A story to help with navigating the concept of death for children.

Discover a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children understand death and dying in a comforting, spiritual way. The Glow uses the metaphor of an inner light—a unique "glow" that connects all living things—to explain the cycle of life, loss, and lasting love. Perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers seeking a tender resource for explaining death to kids or supporting children's grief.

About the Book

Inside every person and every living thing shines a beautiful, loving glow. This unique light connects us to everything around us, guiding us through life with love and warmth. But one day, the glow must return home—a natural part of the journey we all share.

The Glow is a poetic story that gently introduces children to the concepts of life, death, and the light within. Through rhythmic verses and evocative imagery—like twinkling stars and inner glows—it reassures young readers that loved ones never truly leave us. Their light lives on in memories, in our hearts, and as part of our own glow.

Why Parents and Experts Love The Glow

Talking to children about death can feel overwhelming, but experts agree it's essential. Open, honest conversations help reduce fear, anxiety, and confusion around loss. As end-of-life educator Tilly Stevens notes:

“From the moment we are born right through until the moment we die, we are continually exposed to the possibility of change, loss, and grief... The Glow offers adults and children a tender way to begin and continue conversations that help to reduce the fear around death and dying, encouraging ways to remain connected to those we love who have died. The notes for adults in the back are invaluable.”

The book includes comprehensive parent/teacher notes with guidance on:

• Understanding grief (it's not just sadness—children may show it through behavior changes)
• Being honest: Use clear words like "died" to avoid confusion
• Supporting grieving children: Give space, hugs, and reassurance it's not their fault
• Ways to remember loved ones: Memory boxes, photos, or talking about happy times

This spiritual yet inclusive approach adapts to your family's beliefs—whether viewing the "light" as a soul, energy, God, or divine love.

Perfect For...

• Families experiencing loss (of a person, pet, or loved one)
• Parents searching for children's books on grief and loss
• Teachers facilitating discussions on emotions and life cycles
• Anyone helping kids process big questions like "Where do we go when we die?"

Pair with companion books from Wildling Books:

• How Do I Feel? – A dictionary of over 60 emotions to help name feelings during grief
• Let It Go and Let It Flow – Healthy ways to release emotions

Back Cover Blurb

Inside every person and every living thing is a beautiful, loving glow. Our unique wisp is connected to everything and lives inside us, guiding us through life. Helping us share love and light with those around us. But eventually the glow has to return home and it can be really difficult to say goodbye to those who have shared their glow with us.

Talking about death is important as every living thing will die, and as sad as that is, it is part of life, and some would say it is why life is so precious. I hope The Glow will open conversations around death and help children to understand and process it.

Like with all our books, I hope that it opens up conversations about topics that are at times different but yet so important. I have held this story in me since a little girl. I decided I needed to share this story when my eldest son, who was just five years old, realised that one day I too would die. It was a bittersweet moment to see his pure love for me as he cried and held onto me, while at the same time seeing the heartache and loss he would one day experience. I hope it can help even one child. Bex