Is daddy coming back in a minute? : explaining (sudden) death to very young children in words they can understand

Elke Barber's life changed in April 2009 when her husband Martin suffered a fatal heart attack. Aged only 34, she found herself a young widow and a single mum to two kids under four. A self-employed graphic designer and long-time lover of children's books, she decided to share their story to help others in similar situations. Using the conversations she had with her then three-year old son, together they wrote Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute? and What Happened to Daddy's Body? - both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She is now happily remarried, a mum and step mum to seven children, soulmate to John and a public speaker who is passionate about improving the bereavement support for young children. If you want to find out more about Elke and her family, please visit www.isdaddycomingback.com

Alex Barber is now ten years old. He was only three when his daddy died. He misses him every day, and will never stop missing him. He loves Doctor Who and his favourite hobby is football. He helped his mum Elke write Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute? and What Happened to Daddy's Body? by asking the many direct and difficult questions only a young child can ask. He calls his mum's new husband 'Dad' (not 'Daddy'!), and says he is lucky because he has two dads, only one of them can't be here.