Matthew is looking forward to the new baby. He is planning how he will help with looking after his little brother or sister and the games they will play when the baby is older.

Then there is sad news. The doctor tells Matthew's parents that the baby is not growing properly inside its mother and will not be able to live after it is born.

Written by the author to help her own son cope with the death of their new baby at birth, All Shining in the Spring is a child-centred, simply-written book. It is intended to give a child a clear and sympathetic understanding of the death of a baby, be it a family member or not, and to deal with the feelings and questions which such a death raises.

The book can be read to or by a child and would be ideal in a family situation, in schools, for carers, social workers and maternity hospitals.