Dear Brave Friend Launches to a #1 New Release on Amazon and Receives Industry Acclaim.
The author has taken care to capture what it's like for a child to lose a friend and impart a message of hope.
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO (1888PressRelease) August 31, 2019 - Leigh Ann Gerk, Loveland, CO Licensed Professional Counselor, founder and owner of Mourning to Light Pet Loss LLC, and author, has just released her first children’s book on pet loss and grief—Dear Brave Friend. Her release date was impeccable. The book became available for purchase Monday, August 26th which is National Dog Day. She also wanted her launch date to coincide with September 8th, National Pet Memorial Day, which is always recognized the second Sunday in September.
Upon release, Dear Brave Friend earned the #1 New Release designation from Amazon.com. The book has also received professional acclaim:
“This sweet and meaningful book is sure to support the whole family. The author has taken care to capture what it’s like for a child to lose a friend and impart a message of hope.”
—Kathleen Cooney, Veterinarian and end of life specialist
“Dear Brave Friend is a beautiful way to talk with children about pet loss. The story line and illustrations are powerful tools that give a child’s heart permission to know that they might feel a certain way, and it’s perfectly acceptable. Coupled with the practical workbook at the end, this book has it all—not only for children and parents, but for all ages! This is a “highly recommend” read for every pet lover!"
—Coleen A. Ellis, Pet Loss Pioneer; Two Hearts Pet Loss Center
The death of a pet is a significant loss for both children and adults. Gerk states,” . . . pet loss is often felt at an even deeper level than human loss.” Gerk wants to teach children how to grieve in a healthy way, letting them know that it is okay to cry, or feel angry, lonely, and confused. To instill in them life-long skills on how to deal with grief; to know that there is hope, and that they will, indeed, be able to laugh and smile again.
Written in the form of a letter from the dog to the boy, this gentle, heartwarming story is instrumental in helping children understand the many feelings they may be going through after losing a beloved pet, while also offering suggestions on what they can do to get through this most difficult time. Through relatable, real life examples, children are able to recognize how they are feeling, which can then initiate meaningful conversations with their parents or close friends. To help them through this grieving process, Gerk also included story starters, drawing pages, and a place to add pictures of their own beloved pet.
Growing up on a farm East of Loveland, Colorado, Gerk was blessed to have loved many pets;the human-animal bond is, and has always been, very near and dear to her heart. Dear Brave Friend is dedicated to Gerk’s late dog Teddy—a special and silly boy who changed her life and inspired her to write this heartfelt book.
Media contact: Leigh Ann Gerk
Email: leighann ( @ ) mourningtolightpetloss dot com www.mourningtolightpetloss.com
www.facebook.com/dearbravefriend
Dear Brave Friend
By Leigh Ann Gerk
($11.99, paperback, 978-1089400691).
Available on Amazon: www.tinyurl.com/dearbravefriend