How to talk to kids about death, in Haiti and at home--would it work for me?

I stumbled upon this article at the Tablet: A New Read On Jewish Life, because it mentions one of my books. But I found the discussion fascinating.

Here is the direct link t the posting:http://www.tabletmag.com/life-and-religion/24799/falling-down/

I remember my first time learning that all will die some day, and my despair at trying to grasp the idea that everyone I loved, including myself, were in danger of dying some day. It was New Years; people were braking piñatas and toasting for good life, and I was scared. Non of my parents reassurances--that it will probably wouldn't happen for me in a long time--made me feel safer.

Years latter, when one of my favorite uncles died, I remember that my father struggled over my sisters and my questions of whether he could be sure that our beloved uncle was gone forever. I remember his answer: My uncle's body was still here but his soul had flown away. He was still here (which was the answer I wanted), but he wasn't (which broke my heart)? I was even more confused now! Is it perhaps that ambiguity allows room for false hopes(hope that hurts)?

Being a parent is a heroic job.

It is time to celebrate Grandma Beetle’s birthday!

Can’t come to the party? I dare you to take a quiz instead. Come on, go ahead, see if you do!

Could you?

Open Wide, Look Inside: Just a Minute podcast

Published by Tricia Stohr-Hunt at Open Wide, Look Inside, and narrated by Laura Bradlee, here is a podcast about using Just a Minute: A trickster Tale and Counting Book across the curriculum.

Just a Minute video

Just a Minute has been produced in video, and my first copies arrived on time for the celebrations.
The story is narrated by su servidora, yours truly. The producers at Nutmeg Media asked me earlier this year to do the recording where I read Just a Minute, counted from one to ten in English and Spanish, and also talked about creating the book.
So there I am narrating in English the story of Señor Calavera and Grandma Beetle in all my glorious Mexican accent. I would say I better get used to it because my English intonations are here to last me for the rest of my life.