Recommended books on loss, grief, and dying.
An invaluable tool for kids to discuss death, explore grief, and honor the life of loved ones.
Life is full of sunshine for inseparable friends Violet and Mia. Until one day, Violet leaves school sick and doesn't get better. Without her best friend, Mia slips into a gloomy existence. As she moves through the stages of grief like the colors of a rainbow, Mia wonders if she will ever feel like herself again.
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A picture book by Ken Schept and illustrated by Romina Galotta about the power of remembrance and intergenerational tradition.
A moving and universal picture book about empathy and kindness, sure to soothe heartaches big and small—now a New York Times bestseller and a perfect gift for any special occasion
When someone we love gets sick, we little piggies worry! Luckily, there is one good thing we peaceful piggies can do: meditate.
When someone we love gets sick, we little piggies worry! It can feel scary when a person we care about is sick or in a hospital.
In this moving account of loss, a boy takes a walk in the woods and makes a discovery that changes his understanding of his father.
week after the funeral
I stare in the morning mirror
Angry that my father’s eyes
Stare back at me.
Help kids understand what death means and how to cope when they’ve lost a special person.
What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? speaks directly to kids about what death means and how to cope. The book explores the questions kids have about death—Why? How? What next? Is it my fault? What’s a funeral?—in basic, straightforward terms.
A poignant, gorgeously-illustrated story about a girl's bond with her grandfather and how it evolves after his death.
From bestselling author Todd Parr, a poignant and reassuring story about loss.
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An ordinary day in an ordinary neighborhood turns out to be quite extraordinary in this moving story about the circle of life.
It’s an average day in the neighborhood—children play, roses are watered, and a crow watches over it all.
A little girl grieves the loss of her mother, but she can't grieve alone.
A Caldecott Honor Book
An ALA Notable Book
A breathtakingly beautiful and luminescent book that is pitch-perfect for anyone of any age who has experienced any type of loss or disappointment, from New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Brian Lies.
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
This heartwarming classic picture book by beloved children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown is gorgeously reillustrated for a contemporary audience by the critically acclaimed, award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson.
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My cat Barney died this Friday. I was very sad. My mother said we could have a funeral for him, and I should think of ten good things about Barney so I could tell them...
But the small boy who loved Barney can only think of nine. Later, while talking with his father, he discovers the tenth -- and begins to understand.
Straightforward and compassionate, When Dinosaurs Die explains death, dying, and coping with grief and loss in simple and accessible language for young kids and families.
Losing a pet is hard, but this picture book told through a Day of the Dead celebration will show readers that the love they have for their beloved companion will always remain.
Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken.
With over 1.5 million copies sold, this accessible, bestselling picture book phenomenon about the unbreakable connections between loved ones has healed generations of children and adults alike. Also available: Spanish edition (El hilo invisible) and a companion workbook (The Invisible String Workbook).
Parents, educators, therapists, an
From Dene artist and bioethicist Lisa Boivin comes this healing story of hope, dreams, and the special bond between grandfather and granddaughter.
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Grandmother lives with Grace's family. She teaches her how to measure water for rice. She tells her stories about growing up in China and together they savor the flavors of her childhood. Grandmother says goodbye when she drops Grace off at school every morning and hello when she picks her up at the end of the day.
"The way to Cat Heaven is a field of sweet grass, where crickets and butterflies play!"
In Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant's classic bestseller, the author comforts readers young and old who have lost a dog, as she did for cats in the bestselling companion book, CAT HEAVEN. Recommended highly by pet lovers around the world, DOG HEAVEN not only comforts but also brings a tear to anyone who is devoted to a pet.
When a close friend or family member dies, it can be sad for kids and difficult for them to express the big feelings they are experiencing. This book will help explain in a gentle way that death is a natural complement to life and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings to have following the death of a loved one.
"Filled with wonder and sorrow and happiness." --Alison McGhee, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Someday
A heartfelt story of a young girl seeking beauty and connection in a busy world.
A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears.
Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always.
Then one sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn’t going to get better.
This book was designed to teach basic concepts of death and help children understand and express the many feelings they have when someone special dies. Communication is increased and coping skills are developed as they illustrate their books with their personal story.
"The gentle message holds particular validity for children and is conveyed in a tenderhearted manner." —Booklist
“Warm and sensitive.” —Publishers Weekly
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This story by Leo Buscaglia is a warm, wonderfully wise and strikingly simple story about a leaf names Freddie.
Norma and her parents are going to her great-uncle Frank's funeral, and Norma is more excited than sad. She is looking forward to playing with her favorite cousin, Ray, but when she arrives at the church, she is confronted with rituals and ideas that have never occurred to her before.
A picture book edition of the board book about grief, offering adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.