BUT WON'T GRANNY NEED HER SOCKS?: DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH CHILDREN'S CONCERNS ABOUT DEATH AND DYING Donald W. Knowles and Nancy Reeves. Dubuque (Iowa), Kendall/Hunt Publishing, c1983. Distributed by Nancy Reeves, 4021 Prospect Lake Rd., Victoria, B.C.,V8X 3X3. 82pp, paper, $11.95. ISBN 0-8403-2902-4. Parents, Professional. Reviewed by Glenn DiPasquale. Volume 12 Number 2 1984 March The authors are both psychologists who teach at the University of Victoria and both have extensive experience working with children. They have produced a small, polished, powerful book that provides essential knowledge and skills for helping children cope with their concerns about death and dying. Initially, and then throughout the book, the authors attempt to get readers involved by having them examine their own personal feelings and beliefs about death. In the next few chapters information is presented pertaining to what we know about children's understanding of death and how this changes and develops with age. Both the classical research of Piaget agd more recent research by authors such as Elkind and Kubler-Ross are clearly presented. The explanation of the stages of grieving and how these interact with stages of cognitive development is particularly enlightening. The next step, in chapter five, is to provide the reader with general guidelines for responding to children's questions and concerns about death. This chapter is the climax of the book and contains some of the most important information, information not just about providing for the child's needs, but for doing it within the context of one's own feelings and beliefs. After reading this book, one thing that struck me was how quickly and easily I had read it. The style is so smooth and literate that one is aware only of absorbing information. Also, one is particularly aware of the authors' great sensitivity and does not feel threatened by the material despite its rather delicate content. This is an important book. It could be one of the single most important books that a parent, educator, or counsellor could read, since it covers with honesty and clarity a subject we will all have to deal with at some point. We all accept that death is inevitable, but few of us consider that each death will leave curious, bewildered, or hurt children in need of our support. Reading this book would be an excellent first step in preparing for this task. Glenn DiPasquale, York County Board of Education, Newmarket, ON.