1. Ageing
2. Animals
3. Birds
4. Death
5. Grief
6. Illness
7. Nature
8. Plants

Picture book classics often appear modest. ‘Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between’ is such a book. Published in 1983, it is available in multiple editions and translations, with many copies in libraries. it offers a simple but highly effective presentation of the life cycle. The book lacks a religious tone and does not mention an afterlife thus making it appropriate for different settings. Here readers are introduced to plants, people, birds, fish, animals and insects. Each lifetime includes a unique beginning, ending and living in between. The text is lyrical and comforting with its rhythm and repetition of phrasing. Robert Ingpen’s highly detailed and realistic artwork fills the page opposite the text, each featuring a cream-coloured background and mesmerising images that are so lifelike they invite stroking and intense inspection.

This is not a book just for times of sorrow and grief. These simple explanations about the cycle of life and death for animals, plants and people is presented in a matter of fact, yet poignant way. Most importantly, words and images invite discussion and possibly offer comfort for those grieving. ‘Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between’ explains that dying is as much a part of living as being born.

1. National Centre for Childhood Grief. Comments 8 Nov 2019 by Dianne McKissock OAM on ‘Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between’ https://childhoodgrief.org.au/beginnings-endings-with-lifetimes-in-between/#:~:text=It's%20called%20LIFETIMES%2C%20a%20book,the%20very%20beginning%20of%20life
2. Ellena Reads 22 Mar 2014 ‘Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between’ by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen. YouTube 6 min 39 sec (contains a reading of the book) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq0Z1WjSQZQ
3. Roman Chimienti 26 Jul 2011, ‘Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between’ by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen. YouTube 9 min 11 sec (contains a reading of the book with animation and music) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwwGBVa1j9A
4. Children’s Books Daily review 17 Oct 2013 by Megan Daley of ‘Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between’ by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen https://childrensbooksdaily.com/book_reviews/beginnings-and-endings-with-lifetimes-in-between/
5. Montessori Child review of ‘Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between’ by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen https://www.montessorichild.com.au/products/lifetimes
6. StoryLinks Reading List #28, 2019 ‘Death, Grief and Loss in Picture Books’, annotated list of 21 picture books from around the world https://storylinks.booklinks.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/r-l-28-death-grief-and-loss-in-picture-books.pdf