The list below mixes current titles with older publications so some of the suggestions may be hard to find. However, I’ve included them because they might show up in the library, a second hand bookstore or the book section of your favourite charity shop.
For another excellent list have a look at the Blog: Books that Heal Kids in the Death and Grief Section
by Laura Olivieri, illustrated by Kristin Elder (2007)
Self published by the mother of a young child whose father committed suicide when he was just three years old. Mother wrote this gentle, simple story of a grieving little boy in part because many picture books on grief were aimed at older children. As she points out, children’s questions indicate the level of information they are able to process and are a good guide for adult explanations. The conversation is an ongoing one.
Ages 3+
by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Christian Robinson (Harper Collins 2016)
The children find a dead bird and bury it in the forest.
Ages 4+
by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen (Bantam Books, 1983)
Every living thing has a beginning and an ending and in between there is living – that is a lifetime. Full of examples from nature.
Ages 4+
by Annette Bley (Kane Miller Book Publishers, Inc. 2007)
Slingshots, fruit from the garden and a fascination with numbers are some of the things old Otto and young Lisa share. Then Otto can’t get out of bed anymore and Lisa must say good-bye.
Ages 4+
by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown (Little Brown and Company, 1996)
Answers children's many questions about death in clear, simple language and pictures.
Ages 4+
A gentle philosophical story that places value on being in the present.
Ages 4+
by Jess M. Braillier, illustrated by Peter H Reynolds (HarperCollins 2001, 2009)
Tess’s beloved tree must be taken down and she is devastated. She organizes a beautiful memorial service and learns about others who have also loved the tree.
Ages 3+
by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Kay Life (Simon &Schuster, 1993)
Leah's grandfather has died and she is afraid to sit in his chair, She is also worried that her Gram will die too.
Ages 4+
by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave (Groundwood Books, 2005)
In four days Shi-shi-etko must leave her beautiful world and her family to attend residential school. She carefully says good-bye and collects memories for safekeeping.
Ages 4+
by Janis Silverman (Fairview Press,1999)
An art therapy book for children who are saying goodbye to someone who is dying and/or who has died. Expressing feelings in words and pictures helps children to prepare for and cope with grief.
Ages 4+
by Marge Heegaard meant to be illustrated by children (Woodland Press, 1996).
A tool for allowing children to explore their feelings. Particularly appropriate for children dealing with hospital or hospice visits. Children are encouraged to write, draw and colour. Book provides information and projects and poses questions. Meant to be shared by child and adult – therapist or parent.
Ages 4+
by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by William Pene du Bois (1974, reprint Harper Collins Canada, 1989)
Young Lewis only knew his grandfather for a short time but he is able to share his memories with his mother.
Ages 4+
by Margaret M. Holmes, illustrated by Cary Pillo (Magination Press, 2000)
Something terrible happened to Sherman – something so frightening and awful that he couldn’t bear to think about it. But trying not to think about it led to all sorts of problems – nightmares, stomachaches, and angry, nervous feelings. When Sherman meets Ms. Maple and gets a chance to talk and draw about what happened he begins to feel better. For children who have witnessed violent or traumatic events. Includes an afterword for caregivers with suggestions for how to help children in these circumstances.
Ages 4+
by Joyce C. Mills, illustrated by Cary Pillo (Magination Press, 1993)
Willow is very sick and her forest friends do their best to comfort her and themselves. Written for children who may not survive their illnesses and for the children who know them. Includes Note to Parents with guidelines on talking to children about death and dying.
Ages 4+
by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2010)
A little girl moves from a life filled with wonder to one in which she must keep her heart safe in a bottle. Can she get it back again?
Ages 4+
by Sandy Lanton, illustrated by Shelly O. Haas (Kar-Ben Publishing, 1991)
Michael's father has died of cancer. Initially he won't let anyone sit in Daddy's chair, but little by little adjustments are made. Michael's mother explains Shiva. (May be hard to find.)
Ages 4+
by Pat Thomas, illustrated by Lesley Harker (Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. 2001)
Helping children to understand death and grief. Includes suggestions on how to include children in the family’s grieving
Ages 4+
by Susan Varley (HarperCollins, 1984)
Badger is old and must soon die. His friends, the woodland creatures, are left deeply grieving. Then they share the memories that Badger left them and feel better.
Ages 4+
by Aliki (Programs and Genres, 1987)
From the day of her birth until his death the little girl and her grandfather look after one another.
Ages 4+
by Marge Heegaard meant to be illustrated by children (Woodland Press, 1996).
A tool for allowing children to explore their feelings around a trauma in their lives. Children are encouraged to write, draw and colour. Book provides information and projects and poses questions. Meant to be shared by child and adult – therapist or parent.
Ages 4+
by Marge Heegaard meant to be illustrated by children (Woodland Press, 1996). An art therapy book for children experiencing the loss of a pet. Children are encouraged to write, draw and colour. Book provides information and projects and poses questions. Meant to be shared by child and adult – therapist or parent.
Ages 4+
by Kathleen Maresh Hemery, illustrated by Ron Boldt (Centering Corp, 1998)
Molly's mother has died and now, at school, she is being asked to draw a picture of her family.
Ages 4+
by Marge Heegaard meant to be illustrated by children (Woodland Press, 1996)
A tool for allowing children to explore their feelings around a death in their lives. Children are encouraged to write, draw and colour. Book provides information and projects and poses questions. Meant to be shared by child and adult – therapist or parent.
Ages 4+
by Kathleen Maresh Hemery, illustrated by Kyra Teis (Centering Corp, 2001)
Samantha and her Grandma talk about death and a storm during which a tree was struck by lightning. The tree is slowly able to heal just as they are.
Ages 5+
Author Kathleen Maresh Hemery has also written a memoir for adult readers called They Came Bearing Wine (Centering Corporation, 2014) which follows the first year after her husband’s death from ALS.
by Sarah S. Kilborne, paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (Dragonfly Books, 1994)
Peach knows that she won’t live forever and she longs to see the world before it is too late. Blue – a blue-bellied toad – is inspired to help her and become the legs she needs to explore. Their friendship is a beautiful gift to both of them. How lovely the world becomes and what inner resources we discover when we know that time together is limited.
Age 5+
by Michaelene Mundy, illustrated by R.W. Alley.
Helps children explore feelings of loss and suggests ways they can cope with grief. Includes passages about God. Elf-help Books series
Ages 5+
Ages 5+
by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen (HarperCollins Canada, 2001)
Mags and her younger brother Cody have wonderful memories of Grandma and Gramps' farm and the visiting bluebirds, but after Grandma's death, some of the land is sold, there are weeds in the garden and the birds are gone. Mags and Cody do what they can to bring the birds back and in so doing pay tribute to their Grandmother. This book was named the Golden Kite Award - Honor Book for Picture Book Text for 2002 by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. It was also named a Notable Book in the Language Arts by the Children’s Literature Assembly 2002
Ages 5 -12
by E. Sandy Powell, illustrated by Graef (Carolrhoda books, 1990)
Timothy disappoints his father when he declines to join him on their annual outing to buy geraniums. Timothy's father never returns. He is killed in a car accident on the way home. Frannie is the new girl at school and her mother is dying. Fortunately Timothy and Frannie find each other.
Ages 6+
by Mavis Jukes, illustrated by Thomas B Allen (Knopf, 2002)
Nine year old Austin visits his grandmother after his grandpa's death. Together they manage to fill the void and create a new way of being together. (Newberry Honour Book)
Ages 7+
by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen, illustrated by Taylor Bills (Grief Watch, 1999)
Grandy must make her very own Tear Soup and not everyone understands. For those who are grieving and for those who want to support someone in grief this book provides insight and support.
by Cori Doerrfeld (Dial Books, 2018)
In the wake of a disappointment, Taylor’s animals all have their own ideas about what he needs. Each animal embodies a different emotional response which helps children articulate feelings.
A beautiful reminder for adults that simply listening is often the best help one can offer an upset child.
36 page hardcover activity book for bereaved younger children. Produced by UK Charity Winston’s Wish (link to purchase direct)
Established in 1992, Winston’s Wish is the first charity to provide child bereavement support services across the UK including in-depth therapeutic help in individual, group and residential settings.
by Gayle Byrne, illustrated by Mary Haverfield (Abbeville Kids, 2009)
For a child living with grandparents rather than parents it can mean so much to see their reality reflected in words and pictures.
Winner of the 2012 Book Award for Best Children’s Literature on Aging in the primary reader category from the The K-12 Committee of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE)
