Larissa Reinboth and Dr Korie Leigh, The House in Ollie’s Tummy, Possum Portraits, October 2024, 32 pp., RRP $17.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781763516700
Larissa Reinboth is a Western Australian author and illustrator who created this picture book after the passing of her daughter Millie. Larissa is known for her advocacy through Possum Portraits, a project honouring babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. Dr Korie Leigh is an American transpersonal psychologist and grief educator. Together, they have written a warm and inviting book to help children experiencing grief and loss.
The House in Ollie’s Tummy is a gentle and resourceful picture book aimed at children aged 3–8. It could be used for older ages too. The story follows a little boy named Ollie who held a house inside his tummy for his baby sister Millie. When she dies, that house begins to feel topsy-turvy, confusing and heavy for Ollie.
This story for children offers a safe and age-appropriate way to process perinatal loss, sibling grief and family bereavement, by hearing how Ollie experienced his journey with family. The book invites children to feel their grief without fear and helps families, adults and educators on this journey with them. The story supports understanding of emotions and expressing emotions, recognising and describing the changes in relationships and feelings, and lastly provides inclusive, trauma-sensitive activities for children who have experienced loss.
I value this book’s creative retell with the emotional accessibility provided to grieving families that need the help with words for loss. Families will connect to this heartfelt story, the tummy feelings, and the house that doesn’t feel the same anymore from loss. The support pages at the back also guide adults in using this book through a nurturing journey together. This picture book ticks all the boxes for me.
Currently (June 2025), with support from the Australian Government, copies of the second edition of this book are available free from the website.
Reviewed by Chantelle Ciccotosto
