GRIEF HEROES
🌍 Coming August 2026
Children everywhere experience big feelings after loss, separation, change, or uncertainty. Grief Heroes was created to help them understand those emotions and discover the healing tools already inside them.
✨ The Grief Heroes Universe includes:
• An animated YouTube series
• The children’s book “The Villains Among Us”
• Community stories from families around the world
• Additional emotional wellness resources for parents, educators, and caregivers
To reach children everywhere, the series will include multilingual captions, allowing families, schools, and communities across the globe to access the stories and tools they need to talk about grief.
Because no child should have to navigate big feelings alone.
💙 Follow the journey and subscribe to watch the Grief Heroes animated series and be part of a global movement helping children turn emotions into courage.
#GriefHeroes #ChildhoodGrief #KidsEmotionalHealth #SocialEmotionalLearning #GlobalHealing
THE SEVEN VILLAINS & HERO TOOLS
1. THE CONFUSER
- What it feels like: Confusion, forgetfulness, brain fog, lots of questions
- Hero Tools: Routines, writing things down, asking questions, prayer
2. THE ANGRY STORM
- What it feels like: Anger, frustration, irritability, outbursts
- Hero Tools: Safe expression (punching pillows, running), deep breathing, talking to God
3. THE HEAVY WEIGHT
- What it feels like: Deep sadness, crying, heaviness in the chest
- Hero Tools: Comfort kits, memory boxes, permission to cry, honoring the person lost
4. THE WORRY MONSTER
- What it feels like: Anxiety, "what if" thoughts, fear, restlessness
- Hero Tools: Grounding techniques (5 senses), worry jar, giving worries to God
5. THE GUILT GOBLIN
- What it feels like: Guilt, "if only" thoughts, feeling responsible
- Hero Tools: Truth-telling, forgiveness practices, self-compassion, scripture reminder
6. THE LONELY SHADOW
- What it feels like: Loneliness, isolation, feeling misunderstood
- Hero Tools: Connection activities, reaching out, remembering God is always with you
7. THE NUMB ROBOT
- What it feels like: Emotional numbness, feeling "flat," disconnection
- Hero Tools: Sensory activities (music, textures, movement), patience, gentle re-engagement
WHAT IS THE VILLAINS AMONGST US?
A Revolutionary Approach to Youth Grief Education
The Villains Amongst Us is a comprehensive grief education program designed specifically for children ages 7-13. Created by certified grief counselor Cortne' Lee Smith, this program uses creative villain metaphors to help children externalize and understand their grief emotions.Instead of feeling overwhelmed by abstract feelings, children meet seven relatable villains:
- The Confuser – confusion and forgetfulness
- The Angry Storm – anger and frustration
- The Heavy Weight – deep sadness
- The Worry Monster – anxiety and fear
- The Guilt Goblin – guilt and "what if" thoughts
- The Lonely Shadow – loneliness and isolation
- The Numb Robot – emotional numbness
Each villain comes with practical Hero Tools—faith-based coping strategies that empower children to process grief in healthy, age-appropriate ways.
Sneak Peek One Free Chapter!
Meet Alex & Friends.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Parents & Caregivers
Educators & School Counselors
Educators & School Counselors
If your child has experienced the death of a loved one, this program provides:
- Age-appropriate language to discuss loss
- Structured activities to process emotions
- Faith-based comfort and reassurance
- Tools you can use together at home
Educators & School Counselors
Educators & School Counselors
Educators & School Counselors
Bring grief education into your classroom or counseling office:
- Curriculum-ready content
- Group or individual use
- Printable resources for multiple students
- Professional guidance from a certified grief counselor
Faith-Based Organizations
Educators & School Counselors
Faith-Based Organizations
Churches, youth groups, and faith communities can:
- Support grieving families in your congregation
- Integrate biblical principles with emotional health
- Offer workshops or small group studies
- Provide resources to families in crisis
Therapists & Counselors
Educators & School Counselors
Faith-Based Organizations
I
Licensed professionals can use this program:
- As a therapeutic tool in sessions
- To assign homework between appointments
- To help children externalize complex emotions
- As a framework for family therapy
