A Book for Helping Children Understand Death and Process Loss
A Church pastor for 16+ years, Simon Pastorello is all too familiar with the emotional and spiritual whirlwind following a loved one’s passing, and the challenge it is for concerned adults to help children navigate such waters.
When his father faced a terminal diagnosis, Simon found himself preparing for the conversation no parent wants to have – explaining death to the young children in his own family. As he prayed about it, God gave him a picture that equipped him for the conversation. Now, that picture has become People Are Like Balloons, a gentle, biblically sound story designed to help young children process loss and find hope in Christian truths, while also helping parents foster healthy, helpful conversations around grief.
Through a beautiful story, People Are Like Balloons explores how people are made of visible and invisible parts – one that wears out, and one that remains – just like balloons. God created both, giving us his own breath, and those who love Jesus return to him when they leave their body. It’s an illustration simple enough for a child to grasp, yet profound enough to carry real hope.
Why is this book important?
It gives you a gentle, truthful way to explain death to young children. When a loved one dies, parents and caregivers often struggle to find the right words. Simon’s beautiful balloon illustration — that people are made of a visible part that wears out and an invisible part that returns to God — is simple enough for a young child to grasp, yet profound enough to carry real hope. This book hands you the conversation you didn’t know how to start.
It anchors grief in biblical truth without overwhelming little hearts. People Are Like Balloons doesn’t shy away from the reality of loss, but it frames it within the hope of Christian faith — that God created us with his own breath, and those who love Jesus return to him. Children don’t just receive comfort; they receive truth they can hold onto as they grow.
It was written by someone who has lived on both sides of grief. Simon Pastorello has walked alongside bereaved families as a pastor for over 16 years, and faced his own family’s grief when his father received a terminal diagnosis. This isn’t a theoretical resource — it’s a book born from prayer, personal pain, and pastoral wisdom. Families facing loss will feel that on every page.
How can I help?
You can now order this book as a precious resource for your own family and others, directly from us. Ordering on our website helps us to finance the publication costs and print runs, and supports our mission, helping first-time authors like Simon get their books into the world without a huge financial outlay.
Sponsor this book
High-quality children’s book illustrations are essential but costly. They’re what transform words on a page into a gentle companion for a frightened child. They’re what helps a 5-year-old understand that people, like balloons, may leave us, but those who love Jesus can find comfort from him in their hour of need. Publication also come with its own set of challenges and costs which are rarely covered by sales alone.
Your sponsorship could:
- Fund professional illustrations that speak to young hearts
- Help churches and ministries access this resource
- Ensure families facing grief have the tools they need, even if they can’t afford it
- Bring comfort to children when they need it most
‘This is the book nobody wants to need,’ Simon says, ‘but will feel like a Godsend to those who do.’
You can sponsor this project below: