A new edition of A Kids Book About School Shootings, for survivors
In response to the Uvalde school shooting, our team released A Kids Book About School Shootings as a free ebook download, an accessible resource to use as a starting point to explain the tragedy to the kids in our lives. At the time, we had a resource that was obvious to share, but the question of what to say to kids specifically who survived still stood. The original book is meant to explain the topic of school shootings for people who’ve never experienced one before. So, we felt called to create a book for kids who have.
As a means of offering our support, we reached out to author of A Kids Book About School Shootings and survivor of the Columbine High School massacre, Crystal Woodman Miller, to write a book specifically for the survivors of school shootings. Our hope is that kids remember that they are not alone in their experience. They have a community ready to support them as they heal and move forward.
A letter from the author:
After surviving the shooting at Columbine High School when I was a teenager, I had very little understanding of what it meant to be a survivor or how to live as one. There were — and still are — very few resources that speak directly to survivors. Which is why I wrote this book.
I want to share some things that helped me heal from this specific kind of trauma. I also want to share what I learned from others, as well as what I wish I had been told during that time. My goal is to offer tools, encouragement, hope, and the understanding that you are not alone.
As a young person whose life was turned upside down by trauma, I didn’t feel there were many people who understood what I went through. Yet, with others who had that shared experience, I felt a sense of belonging and community. We are not meant to suffer alone, but rather to heal together.
I want survivors to know that life is fragile, but they are not. They are stronger and more resilient than they know. I am proof that you can heal and even thrive on the other side of this trauma, and there are still bright days ahead for all of them.
Love, Crystal.
A Kids Book About School Shootings for Survivors is available as a free download today. We encourage you to share this book with someone who might need it.
The hardback will be available for purchase and donation in Fall 2022.
