This Sure Thing: Encourages Children to Carry on After the Loss of a Loved One

 

Inspired by real events, former elementary school counselor turned grief counselor, Sarah Mayfield’s upcoming children’s book, This Sure Thing[Brandylane Publishers, Inc., February 11, 2025] captures a boy's persistence after the death of his younger brother and is a heartfelt, first-person narrative that encourages youth to continue to live the love they have for their person no longer here.

This is a simple, yet meaningful book that illustrates and narrates, how a young boy carries on after the loss of his brother. I think the bonus features that have remembrance activities and grief rituals are a nice touch.

This Sure Thing follows a young boy who imagines what life would be like if his brother were still alive. Days might be filled with football, laughter, and video games! His brother might discover the trick candles on his birthday cake! Despite all he wonders, the boy knows one thingfor sure: his brother is no longer here, but the love he has for him still is. In sharing this unfading love with others, and writing notes to his deceased brother, the boy discovers both meaning and connection on his grief journey.

Twenty-five percent of author's proceeds from book sales go to National Alliance for Children's Grief and Full Circle Grief Center.

About Sarah Mayfield

Sarah Mayfield struggled to find informed grief services for her son, Bradley, after the death of his brother, Elliot. Today, Sarah’s passion is supporting bereaved youth and families while promoting grief awareness.  

Sarah is a Compassionate Bereavement Care™ Certified Provider, is Certified in Thanatology (Association for Death Education and Counseling) and has been a Nationally Certified Counselor since 2007. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Counselor Education from the University of Virginia.  

In her previous nine years as an elementary school counselor, Sarah loved reading picture books aloud to classes on the carpet. It was through the students’ reactions to these books that she discovered a passion for an earnest message packaged in a confident, rewarding rhythm.

Personally, Sarah finds joy in upcycling forsaken furniture, getting lost in the plants (and weeds) of her yard, dancing unapologetically in the kitchen with her husband and kids, and remembering the motto, “Love never fails.”