Children's Books and Family History: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

One of the greatest gifts family history offers is the reminder that love does not end when someone dies. While we cannot stop death from entering our lives, we can choose to remember. We can tell stories, preserve photographs, record memories, and continue speaking the names of those who helped shape us. In many ways, family history is an expression of enduring love.

This is one of the reasons I chose to spotlight The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. Beneath the mystery, adventure, and fantasy lies a deeply moving story about love, loss, grief, and the fear of what comes next. As the characters wrestle with difficult questions about death and what it means to let go, readers are gently reminded that grief is a reflection of love and that remembering those we have lost is part of healing.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book is that it doesn't pretend grief is simple. Instead, it acknowledges that love and loss often exist together. That truth feels deeply connected to family history. Every photograph we preserve, every story we record, and every memory we share is a way of saying, "Your life mattered, and you will not be forgotten."

As I read The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest, I found myself thinking about my grandma. One of the themes that runs throughout the story is the fear of what comes next after death. It reminded me of something shared at my grandma's funeral that has stayed with me ever since.

A close family friend visited my grandma while she was receiving hospice care. During their conversation, my grandma admitted that she was afraid to die. Like Clare in the story, she was facing the unknown. Then she shared something remarkable. She told her friend that my grandpa, who had passed away just a few years earlier, had come to visit her and reassure her that everything would be okay.

That experience brought tremendous peace to my grandma. It also brought comfort to our family. It strengthened my testimony that life continues beyond death and that the bonds we form with those we love do not end when this life does.

One of the beautiful truths I have come to believe through family history is that our ancestors are not simply people from the past. They continue to care about us. President Joseph F. Smith taught:

"We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever."

President Ezra Taft Benson likewise reminded us:

"There are people over there who are pulling for us... our loved ones (parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and friends) who have passed on."

Those teachings have changed the way I think about family history. It is not just about discovering names on a pedigree chart. It is about strengthening relationships that continue beyond this life. We preserve stories because love continues. We remember because our family relationships are eternal. And perhaps, just as my grandpa comforted my grandma, our ancestors are still cheering us on, hoping we will continue the story they helped begin.

ACTIVITY: Love Lives On

The people we love continue to shape our lives through the memories we cherish, the lessons they teach us, and the love they share. Think about someone who has made a difference in your life. Draw or write your answers below.

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