Not fair...

"Have you ever found yourself tongue-tied when encountering someone suffering, dying, or having just lost someone close, and reduced to the cliche, I really don t know what to say? Well, people of faith should have something to say at those sacred, delicate moments. Father Kempf, with grace and sensitivity, helps us learn what to say and do in moments when our people long for a word of hope and consolation."
~Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

While these words were written as a review of Father Kempf's book No One Cries the Wrong Way, I think that they apply equally well to Sometimes Life is Just Not Fair: Hope for Kids through Grief and Loss.

This book is an excellent resource for adults who are helping children cope with others' suffering, the death of a loved one, or grief due to a loss. While I wish that there were no need for this book to exist, I appreciate having this book for future reference and expect that I will recommend it to others (or send them a copy). Most of us could use a primer on how to help others cope with grief and loss, whether we're supporting a child or an adult.
I have one objection, of a theological nature, to the content of this book. I do not believe that we can definitively know where someone's soul goes after death. I cringe when people tell me that my brother is in heaven, say that he is with God, or in some way "declare him a saint." I believe in heaven, hell and purgatory, as well as God's divine mercy. I appreciate that the Catholic Tradition has prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, that we pray for the dead because we do not know the fate of anyone's soul (until Holy Mother Church declares one's canonization). And do not want this comfort to be stripped away and replaced with cherubs seated on clouds and playing harps. Some of the poems and the song at the end suggest that a decreased individual is in heaven. This is not explicit, and the text does note that heaven is not a physical place. However, for a child the imagery might not be clear. 
I offer the caution that although it looks like a children's book, I do not believe that it would be appropriate to give it to a child. An adult should preview the book to ensure that the content is consistent with their beliefs, and then either share the book with the child or simply use the wisdom therein to guide your conversation with the child.

Note: This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Sometimes Life is Just Not Fair. The Catholic Company is the best resource for all your family Advent activities and supplies this year, such as Advent wreaths and calendars for kids, as well as Christmas decorations such as nativity scene sets and religious Christmas gifts for the whole family.