It’s an inevitable tragedy of life – loved ones pass away, leaving their families and friends to start a new journey. As adults we seem better equipped to deal with grieving. Not our kids, though. Children in these situations suffer immensely because they can be confused about how to cope with their grief and the grieving process.

Kathryn “Kathy” Graf speaks from her own experience as a mother and young widow. Through her award-winning children’s picture book she reaches out to children with her simple story of a boy dealing with the loss of his dad. [amazon_link id=”1463512155″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Always My Dad[/amazon_link] offers the idea that, even though their loved ones are physically gone, their love and guidance still have a significant impact on their lives.

In addition to writing a children’s book about grieving, Kathy also wrote about her experience as a widow in her one-person play, Surviving David. Originally an actress on a variety of television shows, she is now a highly-acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, including the multiple award-winning and nominated Hermetically Sealed (Critics’ Choice, L.A. Times).

Please welcome Kathy to the Alumni Spotlight!

MCA: Welcome to the spotlight Kathy! Can you please tell us about what motivated you to create your book about grieving for kids?

Kathy: My husband died when my children were young. This book represents the words I wished I had shared with my own children during that time.

MCA: Now that you have an award-winning book, what are your goals for the next year?

Kathy: My illustrator, Hiphung Lam, and I recently attended BookExpo America (BEA) in New York. We talked with a lot of people, and we are considering continuing with the theme and expanding it to include a series of books, and plan to start with “Always My Mom.”

I will continue to market our book and get the word out. I plan to do a large mailing to grief centers and other institutions that help children coping with grief and enduring the grieving process. [amazon_link id=”1463512155″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]

MCA:  Getting the message out is always so important. Have you put together your strategy and identified ways that your Mom’s Choice Award® will help you attain your goals?

Kathy: Having the Mom’s Choice Award® Honoring Excellence seal on the cover helps counselors, therapists, schools, churches, temples, and other institutions know instantly that Always My Dad is worthwhile and a positive coping tool for children.

There are so many books out there – and so little funding – they want to know that when they are picking a book about grieving for a child, that it is a good fit. The Mom’s Choice Awards® gold seal helps with that.

Because of the reputation of Mom’s Choice, these institutions trust the book at first sight and are more likely to read it and consider recommending it.

MCA: With so many Baby Boomers in their lives, it seems inevitable that today’s kids will be dealing with grief and grieving a lot in their youth. Your family has already traveled this journey. Can you share with us what you learned about yourself as an writer in creating your award-winning book?

Kathy: I’ve changed my life considerably the last ten years, since my husband died.

One way was trading in the acting business for the writing one. I write plays mostly, and how I know I got a good story is when I become almost a conduit to something greater than myself. I take walks in the woods and the words and ideas just come to me.

That’s how I wrote Always My Dad. It just came to me.

MCA: Since launching your book, what has been your most rewarding experience in promoting or sharing it with the public? Do you have a favorite memory?

Kathy: When people ask me to sign a copy of their book for them – I feel like a real author!

MCA: As a new honoree, do you have any questions you’d like some of the “old hands” to answer for you?

Kathy: It is all SO new to me – only a few months – that I don’t even know what to ask just now. I’m enjoying the community of the Mom’s Choice Awards® and like to check out the Facebook and Twitter stuff.

Thanks Mom’s Choice!

Mom’s Choice Awards® Honors

[amazon_link id=”1463512155″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link][amazon_link id=”1463512155″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Always My Dad[/amazon_link] by Kathryn Graf
Children’s Picture Book
Gold 2011 – Growing Up/Personal Growth

Contact, Connect, and Network with Kathy

The Alumni Spotlight is a periodic feature on the official Mom’s Choice Awards® blog. It is part of our ongoing effort to “shine the spotlight” on you and your award-winning, family-friendly products, services, and media.