Sheridan Illustration students help bring Lighthouse book to grieving children

Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Illustration students have partnered with Oakville-based non-profit Lighthouse for Grieving Children & Families to create a book aimed at supporting children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or other close family member or friend. 

Dylan’s Daddy Died, a children’s book written by Lighthouse’s Coordinator of Support Groups Erica Bostwick, highlights five prevalent concerns experienced by grievers: cause, catch, care, cure and connection. Children who are grieving due to a significant loss may find comfort and hope in this book as it allows for discussion and helps lessen feelings of worry and concern.  

Sheridan students illustrated the book with images based on toy stuffed cats that were passed around a circle during one of Lighthouse’s support group activities. The stuffed animals allow children to share their feelings and experiences, while also hearing from their peers, affirming that they are not alone in these feelings. 

"The Lighthouse is incredibly grateful for our partnership with Sheridan College,” said Jason Dockeray, Director of Services at Lighthouse. “The students, working alongside author and Lighthouse staff Erica Bostwick, played a vital role in bringing this amazing project to life. We are confident that their work and the words penned by Erica will provide grieving children and their families with a valuable resource to navigate difficult conversations about death and dying for years to come."

This project has been in development for four years. Lighthouse collaborated with two separate groups of Sheridan co-op students – Erin Chan and Naomi Yurkov (‘23), and Rebeka Keys and Sisi Li (‘24) – to help bring the story to life. The process was completed with the skills of the students over two ten-week terms, beginning with an initial analysis of the story, to the development of visual characters with distinctive, endearing personalities. The students then went on to create visual scenes for the characters, ultimately rendering the project for print publication.  

All of these skills are taught in Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Illustration program. 

“Amplifying their individual talents, students learn illustration is not just about making a picture: It's about creating a world that moves, speaks, and interacts with readers, something that teaches and entertains, brings joy and understanding, takes you on an adventure and builds relationships,” said Maria Gabriele, Field Supervision, Sheridan’s Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design, who supported the students. “The opportunity to participate in a co-op work experience deeply enriches the students’ education – the students contribute to meaningful projects in the community and in turn, they become highly qualified graduates.” 

Dylan’s Daddy Died is available for free from the Lighthouse and will be given to group participants as well as distributed at health fairs. Learn more about Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Illustration program and the Lighthouse for Grieving Children & Families.