Grace and Mr Milligan

Grace and Mr Milligan is a touching story about love, loss and friendship. Grace lives next door to Mr Milligan and his goat, Charlie. The trio share a special bond, but when Charlie passes away, Mr Milligan is overwhelmed with sadness. Grace gently supports her friend through his grief, showing young readers the power of compassion and empathy. This beautifully illustrated picture book sensitively addresses themes of death and emotional healing in an age-appropriate way. With warmth and simplicity, it models how children can navigate complex emotions and support others, making it a valuable resource for social-emotional learning.

Educational benefits

• Promotes emotional literacy and understanding of grief.
• Encourages empathy, kindness and supportive relationships.
• Develops comprehension through character-driven storytelling.
• Facilitates conversations around change and emotional resilience.

Classroom ideas

• Discussion: Talk about different ways people show care.
• Writing: Write a letter from Grace to Mr Milligan.
• Art: Draw a memory garden for someone special.
• Role-play: Act out ways to support a friend who is sad.

Information

• Ages: 6-10 years
• Picture book format
• Suitable for use in wellbeing programs and classroom libraries