Aeron in the Sky

Description

Losing our son Aeron in 2018 has easily been the most painful moment of parenthood. In addition to our sudden grief, we were uncertain how we should share these life-changing events with his toddler sister. This beautifully illustrated children's book shares professional and personal ways to start tender conversations with little ones walking through loss and grief. Our family has chosen to take subtle moments in nature as a reminder that our relationship with loved ones continues beyond death. If you or your child has experienced the loss of a loved one, we hope that our story may help you honor that very special relationship and the precious memories that remain. One evening, on our way back from visiting Aeron's grave, our daughter started to say, "Mama, Dada . . . tell Aeron no-no." At first, we were confused and asked what she meant. She responded by saying, "You said to only color on paper, but look! Aeron is coloring the sky, so tell him no-no!" We looked up to see the vibrant colors of sunset. It was an unexpected yet beautiful moment of continued sibling connection. We celebrate special moments like this with our book's title, Aeron in the Sky. Jenn & James ___________________________________________________ "An absolutely beautiful, poignant book about grief, Jennifer Su explores the death of a child family member with an honesty that is tender and thoughtful. Few children's books have moved my heart the way Aeron in the Sky did." - Joanne Cacciatore, PhD, Professor, Arizona State University, Founder of the MISS Foundation "When the impossible happens and we are at a loss for words, this book offers comfort and a framework by which to understand that we carry those we love with us, always. This book can be a support to children whose sibling has died and provides invaluable and experienced guidance to parents." - Gitanjli Arora, MD, Pediatric Palliative Medicine Physician "Aeron In the Sky is a beautifully illustrated and well-written, thought-out book that will help children talk about death, especially the death of a sibling. Aeron in the sky is unique in that it allows siblings to envision a relationship with a loved one, even after death. It utilizes a relatable approach to allow children to understand death in a beautiful way. As a pediatric psychologist, I would highly recommend this book to help initiate a difficult conversation in a comprehensible way. It ends with the authors utilizing simple and concrete language to provide parents with tips and strategies to explain death to their children." - Priyanka Doshi, PsyD, Child Psychologist, Children's Hospital Los Angeles "Aeron in the Sky transforms the unthinkable- the loss of a child- into a beautiful, colorful, magical guide for both young children and parents on how to talk about death and tragedy. This beautifully written and illustrated book will help any child or parent who has lost a loved one, whether a child or adult, to grieve, to communicate, and most importantly to heal. Thank you Aeron." - Moira Szilagyi MD PhD and Peter Szilagyi MD MPH, Pediatricians, national leaders in child health, parents, and grandparents

Jenn is a pediatric cardiologist, and James is a general pediatrician. After losing their son Aeron to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 2018, they co-founded Aeron's Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a vision to build a future free from the suffering caused by SIDS. They continue to support families through their work as medical doctors as well as Aeron's Foundation and hope to share their personal experience with this special book. Together, Jenn and James live in Los Angeles with Aeron's brother and sister.James is a general pediatrician, and Jenn is a pediatric cardiologist. After losing their son Aeron to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 2018, they co-founded Aeron's Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a vision to build a future free from the suffering caused by SIDS. They continue to support families through their work as medical doctors as well as Aeron's Foundation and hope to share their personal experience with this special book. Together, Jenn and James live in Los Angeles with Aeron's brother and sister.Grace is a children's book illustrator. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. In her free time, she loves to drink boba and go on food adventures with her family.