Public Library Services
Local authorities in Ireland operate a network of public libraries and are open to everyone and most of their services are free.
To become a library member you need to: Go to Library Services in Ireland | Libraries Ireland
- Fill out the application form online or at any branch.
- Provide proof of your identity and of your address.
- Get your parent or guardian’s permission to join the library if you are under 18.
Each library service issues its own library card. Any valid public library card can be used to reserve and borrow items from any public library. You can use this service to order books especially mentioned on this website. Three books are mentioned below for starters especially our own “Why Our Baby”. Have a go and let us know your experience at info@soft ireland.com. More books will be added in the near future.
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Why Our Baby book is is available to order
“Why Our Baby?” has been written by parents who had a baby with either Patau’s Syndrome or Edwards’ Syndrome. It succeeds “Why Our Baby?” which was published in 2008. This book contains a significant amount of information on Patau’s Syndrome and Edwards’ Syndrome.
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All Shining in the Spring
The Story of a Baby who Died. A book that SOFT had been asked to highlight. A book to help children and families cope with the loss of a baby. Matthew is excited about the new baby. But then, one day, something very sad happens. The doctor tells Matthew’s mother that her baby isn’t growing properly and it won’t be strong enough to live outside her body.
Little Island Books
Amazon
All Shining in the Spring, A book that SOFT had been asked to highlight.
The Story of a Baby who died and Matthew is excited about the new baby. But then, one day, something very sad happens. The doctor tells Matthew’s mother that her baby isn’t growing properly and it won’t be strong enough to live outside her body. Matthew and his mother and father will always remember their baby. But as time goes by, they will not feel sad so often. This child-centred book is intended to help children and families who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, perinatal death or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
A new edition of the first published book by Siobhán Parkinson, who later became Ireland’s first Laureate na nÓg (Children’s Laureate). It was writing this book that Parkinson found her voice as a children’s writer, a gift she credits to the baby she lost all those years ago.
Will help families who experience the loss of a baby
Also helpful for children whose friends suffer loss
Addresses an under-discussed issue in a child-friendly way
Ideal for librarians, teachers, carers, social workers, Hospitals
About the author
Siobhán Parkinson was Ireland’s first ever Laureate na nÓg (Children’s Laureate). She has published more than 30 books for children and adults, in English and Irish, with publishers including Puffin,Hodder, O’Brien Press and Little Island Books. In 2010 she founded Little Island Books. She has won many awards and been nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
About the ilustrator Donald Teskey is one of Ireland’s foremost artists and illustrators. He is a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy. He has published books in collaboration with authors including John Banvilleand Derek Mahon.
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The Baby Loss Guide :
Practical and compassionate support with a day-by-day resource to navigate the path of grief / Zoe Clark-Coates. Zoe and her husband Andy have personally faced the loss of five babies. Out of their experiences came the charity The Mariposa Trust (more often known by its primary division Saying Goodbye), offering support to thousands of grieving parents and relatives around the world each week
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We had to say goodbye before we even met
We had to say goodbye before we even met
By Irene Teague (Author), Grainne Knox (Illustrator)
Is now published and available to purchase on Amazon
Caidain was diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome Trisomy 18
Written through the eyes of our oldest daughter Erin-Rose
Irene has asked SOFT to highlight the book
A resource helping to support families affected by pregnancy loss
We Had To Say Goodbye Before We Even Met: A book for children who have lost a sibling through pregnancy or early baby loss
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We had to say Goodbye before we even met is a true story about a family who have experienced the tragic and heart-breaking loss of their baby, Cadain during pregnancy. This beautifully written and illustrated book, is told from the perspective of sibling, Erin-rose, who was so excited about having a new baby brother or sister. In this poignant yet uplifting story, the family are given the devastating news that the baby has a fatal condition and would not survive long after birth. The author who is also a Clinical Psychologist has had personal experience of pregnancy loss and was inspired to write this story in the hope this book will help with explaining what happened and with normalising the grief related thoughts and feelings that children may have. There is also a helpful section for parents with tips for supporting children and themselves during this traumatic time. This book would be invaluable to anyone supporting children affected by pregnancy loss, still birth or early baby loss.
“The idea for this book was inspired by the death of our 2 babies, Anna who was stillborn al 18 weeks in 2017 and Caidain who was stillborn at 33 weeks gestation in 2019. We had 2 children who were very aware of the pregnancies and we struggled to find appropriate resources 10 help explain the loss in a child friendly way. I work as a Clinical Psychologist and think stories are a fantastic resource for children with many benefits.
During my pregnancy with Caidain, we knew at around 23 weeks that Caidain was not going to survive. He was diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome which is a severe chromosomal disorder. Anna was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome at about 16 weeks gestation.
As parents, we wanted to protect our children from this horrific news but knew that we couldn’t and that added to our pain. We were reeling from the news and worried about how and when to tell them and how they would react. Like us, they were very excited and looking forward to meeting the baby.
There was a period when we as parents knew our baby wouldn’t survive but didn’t feel ready to tell the children, however il was very painful to hear their excited hopes for when the baby comes and it just felt so wrong to continue with the silence.
We were so relieved when we told them. It felt like a great weight had been lifted. It enabled open, honest but difficult conversations about what would happen when the baby was born.
This story is our experience of losing Caidain and written through the eyes of our oldest daughter, Erin-Rose who was 8 years old at the time of diagnosis. Our story and contents may not be in keeping with your family’s belief system. I appreciate that every family may deal with this experience differently
In writing this book my sincerest hope is to bring a little comfort to this very painful experience. I also hope that it helps your child 10 know that other children have experienced similar and have had similar thoughts and feelings to them. I also wanted to bring hope, that after terrible tragedy, the intense feelings of grief lessen and they can still think of their brother or sister in spirit and remember them in special ways.
I believe as parents, you carry your child’s grief as swell as your own but understanding your child’s grief and how they can be supported can make the load a little easier. I have included some suggestions at the end on this topic.
I hope you and your child find this book useful and supportive in helping with conversations about the very painful and tragic reality of pregnancy and early baby loss.”
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