Who will cut the grass?

‘Who will cut the grass?’ was written by the leading local charity’s family service co-ordinator, Rachel Smith, and illustrated by another staff member, art therapist Joanne Boal.

“I meet families every day who are facing very tough and sad times. Cancer is traumatic, not only for the person but for the whole family. Children love stories so I thought this would be the perfect way to talk to them on their level,” Rachel explained.

“I’ve found that many children worry about the practicalities of everyday living when a close adult has cancer. They worry about who will pick them up from school, make them lunch or help them lace their shoes.

 “The idea for the book came from a little boy whose dad was very sick. When his dad died he asked me ‘Who’s going to cut the grass?’

“This story is told by nine-year-old Elliott just as his dad Harvey, a firefighter, is diagnosed with cancer. The story follows him, his sister and brother as Harvey grows sicker and then dies.

 “It looks at how cancer affects children when Dad is ill and how Mum has to learn to do things that he used to do. With its beautiful, touching pictures, ‘Who will cut the grass?’ deals with some of the difficult questions children may have.

 “It’s a sad story but I have given a star role to my cat Sharon - a lot of families have a pet and I think they add a few smiles to a very sad situation,” she explained.

Rachel sometimes reads the story to children herself or she will give it to parents to read to their child. “The children identify with the characters and themes in the book and I feel it gives them some comfort,” she added.

This is Rachel and Joanne’s second book. Their first is called ‘Who will do my hair?’ about a little girl who worries when her mum is sick. Joanne’s dog Boris makes a friendly appearance too.

The Family Support Service also offers one-to-one support, support in the home, group sessions and programmes for children.

The books are free to Cancer Focus service users and are also available to others for £3 each from Cancer Focus at 44 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. For more information call 028 90663281. Email [email protected] or visit www.cancerfocusni.org.

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Pic caption: Andrew Bond (10) from Richhill, who attends the Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Family Support Service, and Firefighter Fintan Burns, Green Watch, Newry, read 'Who will cut the grass?' Photo by Paul McCambridge.