The grief we face when a loved one dies from an overdose has layers of complicated emotions, often including confusion, regret, anger, and guilt on top of sadness. These emotions are hard to face even for adults, and they are compounded by the cultural stigma associated with addiction. Children — having little or no previous experience with which to understand this puzzling mix of feelings — can easily be overwhelmed.
All the Pieces offers a story that helps readers ages four to eight see the parts of this puzzle in an integrated whole. It’s written by Hallie Riggs, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in childhood trauma and healing.
The boy narrating tells us, “I wish you could have met my dad. I miss him every day.” By addressing readers as friends, he brings an immediacy to the story. He starts by sharing happy memories, like his dad’s great storytelling and way of instilling confidence. The boy’s sad recollections, realistic and heartbreaking, come next: the times his dad lay in bed, unresponsive. Scary situations when his dad would lose his temper. And times when “he would forget to come home,” leaving the boy terribly worried.
When boy is hurting, his grandmother reminds him of the wonderful pieces of his dad, which illustrator Adriana Predoi sensitively captures as snapshots in jigsaw-puzzle shapes. It’s okay to feel sad, mad, and confused, his grandmother tells him. She feels that way sometimes, too:
“And then, in my mind and in my heart, I try to send those pieces some love. To help them heal.”
The closing Note to Adult Readers considers how to meet children where they are, validate their feelings, be honest, take care of yourself, and seek professional support if needed. Magination Press, the publisher, is the children’s book imprint of the American Psychological Association and aims to reach young readers and their parents and caregivers to make it easier to navigate life’s challenges.
