Nothing Lasts Forever: A children book about the loss of attachment

The loss of an attachment figure profoundly destabilizes a child's world, yet age-appropriate resources to navigate this grief remain scarce. This creative thesis addresses this gap through Nothing Lasts Forever, a picture book series designed to help children process attachment loss. The study explores the specific effects of loss on five protagonistsWira, Mei Lin, Liana, Clara, and Ryan—and investigates the internal processes required for resolution. Utilizing a creative practice-based methodology within the genre of magical realism, the narratives are grounded in John Bowlby’s attachment theory. The work demonstrates that loss manifests functionally as protest (which is expressed as anger in Wira, Liana, and Mei Lin, as well as denial in Clara and Ryan) and despair (which is expressed as withdrawal in all characters). These behaviors are presented not as maladaptive defiance but as necessary distress signals. Resolution is achieved when a caregiver provides a safe haven for validation and a secure base for re-engagement, enabling the child to form a continuing bond through symbolic objects or rituals. The thesis concludes that psychologically grounded children's literature serves as a vital therapeutic tool, reframing "negative" behaviors and offering a pathway to emotional resilience.

KEVIN ATMADJAYA RAHARDJA Liem Satya Limanta (Advisor 1); Jenny Mochtar Djundjung (Examination Committee 1); Ribut Basuki (Examination Committee 2) Universitas Kristen Petra Indonesian Digital Theses Undergraduate Thesis A Creative Thesis A Creative Thesis No. 01012472/ING/2025; Kevin Atmadjaya Rahardja (A11220016) ATTACHMENT BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN-JUVENILE LITERATURE; LOSS (PSYCHOLOGY) IN CHILDREN--JUVENILE LITERATURE

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