The Complete List of Children's Books about Death & Grief

From bestselling author Todd Parr, a poignant and reassuring story about loss.
hrough the lens of a pet fish who has lost his companion, Todd Parr tells a moving and wholly accessible story about saying goodbye. Touching upon the host of emotions children experience, Todd reminds readers that it's okay not to know all the answers, and that someone will always be there to support them. An invaluable resource for life's toughest moments.

For over 25 years, families have used When Dinosaurs Die to explain death, dying, and coping with grief and loss -- from the creators of the beloved Dino Tales: Life Guide for Families series, which has sold over 1.5 million copies.
traightforward and comprehensive, this indispensable book is a comforting aid to help young kids and families through a difficult time in their lives. No one can really understand death, but to children, the passing away of a loved one can be especially perplexing and troublesome. This is true whether the loss is a family member, friend, or pet. Here to offer advice and reassurance are the wise dinosaurs from the bestselling Dino Tale series. This succinct and thorough guide helps dispel the mystery and negative connotations associated with death, providing answers to kids' most-often asked questions.opics covered include: What Does Alive Mean? * Why Does Someone Die? * What Does Dead Mean? * Feelings about Death? * Saying Goodbye * Keeping Customs * What Comes After Death? * Ways to Remember SomeoneDon't miss these other Dino Tales: Life Guides for Families:
emocracy for Dinosaurs: A Guide for Young Citizens
inosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families

A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears.
us 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.
hen one sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn’t going to get better. The friends help each other face the difficult news with whispers, sniffles, cuddles, and even laughs. Slowly Gus realizes that even after Ida is gone, she will still be with him—through the sounds of their city, and the memories that live in their favorite spots.
da, Always is an exquisitely told story of two best friends—inspired by a real bear friendship—and a gentle, moving, needed reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always.

A lyrically told, beautifully illustrated book that brings comfort to children--and adults--who have lost someone they love
fter Old Turtle swims his last swim and breathes his last breath, and the waves gently take him away, his friends lovingly remember how he impacted each and every one of them. As the sea animals think back on how much better Old Turtle made their lives and their world, they realize that he is not truly gone, because his memory and legacy will last forever.

Jago's gorgeous illustrations accompany Cece Meng's serene text in a book that will help chidren understand and cope with the death of a loved one.


Praise for Always Remember:

Loaded with positive, life-affirming advice for coping with loss as a child, this guide tells children what they need to know after a loss--that the world is still safe; life is good; and hurting hearts do mend. Written by a school counselor, this book helps comfort children facing of the worst and hardest kind of reality. Full color.

Chester Raccoon's good friend Skiddel Squirrel has had an accident and will not be returning - ever. Chester is upset that he won't get to play with his friend anymore. Mrs. Raccoon suggests that Chester and his friends create some memories of Skiddel, so that they will have good memories when they miss him. Chester, his brother Ronny, and their friends decide to gather at the pond, where they combine their memories and create a touching celebration of their friend's life.
any young children must face the loss of loved ones or the need to attend a funeral. This sweet story will help children to understand the positive purpose behind memorial services and how "making memories" can provide cheer and comfort when missing an absent loved one.

A girl grieves the loss of her dog in an achingly beautiful wordless epic from the Caldecott Honor–winning creator of Journey.
his year’s summer vacation will be very different for a young girl and her family without Sascha, the beloved family dog, along for the ride. But a wistful walk along the beach to gather cool, polished stones becomes a brilliant turning point in the girl’s grief. There, at the edge of a vast ocean beneath an infinite sky, she uncovers, alongside the reader, a profound and joyous truth. In his first picture book following the conclusion of his best-selling Journey trilogy, Aaron Becker achieves a tremendous feat, connecting the private, personal loss of one child to a cycle spanning millennia — and delivering a stunningly layered tale that demands to be pored over again and again.

After his father dies, Kai experiences all kinds of emotions: sadness, anger, fear, guilt. Sometimes they crash and mix together. Other times, there are no emotions at all―just flatness. As Kai and his family adjust to life without Dad, the waves still roll in. But with the help of friends and one another, they learn to cope―and, eventually, heal. A lyrical story about grieving for anyone encountering loss.

“A lush, haunting story that brings together a grandmother and her grandchild. . . . Soetoro-Ng, maternal half-sister of Barack Obama, has written this story of compassion as a tribute to their mother." —Booklist (starred review)
ittle Suhaila wishes she could have known her grandma, who would wrap her arms around the whole world if she could, Mama says. And one night, Suhaila gets her wish when a golden ladder appears at her window and Grandma Annie invites the girl to go along with her on a magical journey. Maya Soetoro-Ng and Yuyi Morales’s dreamlike tale reminds us that loved ones lost are always with us, and that sometimes we need only look at the moon and remember.

With the help of her neighbor Mrs. Cooper, Samantha Jane is able to talk about how sad she is since her father died, and then she begins to feel better.

Losing someone you love is very hard, especially when that wonderful person is your grandma. But she wants you to know that her love never leaves you. There are reminders of her love everywhere in the world around you, and she will be with you every step of the way.

Talking about death with children? Help children identify the beauty and hope in all cycles of life as they follow two insects, Lea and Nym, and the struggles Nym endures when her friend disappears. This is a tender story about loss and change, written to help parents express their views about life and death. Children may identify with Nym, who grieves the loss of her friend, and find it easier to express their unique feelings about a loss after hearing the story. The Dragonfly Door may serve many purposes, such as comforting a grieving child or providing facts about dragonflies. Beautifully illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson, the book is cherished by parents, grandparents and teachers and is often used to help explain death to children or to engage children in an open dialogue about death. It has been adapted into a mini-play in various communities to help children cope with the death of their classmates. Also see The Dragonfly Secret: A Story of Boundless Love, a companion book for ages eight to adult (ISBN 9781934066133).

A little boy responds to his mother's death in a genuine, deeply moving story leavened by glimmers of humor and captivating illustrations.
hen the boy in this story wakes to find that his mother has died, he is overwhelmed with sadness, anger, and fear that he will forget her. He shuts all the windows to keep in his mother’s familiar smell and scratches open the cut on his knee to remember her comforting voice. He doesn’t know how to speak to his dad anymore, and when Grandma visits and throws open the windows, it’s more than the boy can take — until his grandmother shows him another way to feel that his mom’s love is near. With tenderness, touches of humor, and unflinching emotional truth, Charlotte Moundlic captures the loneliness of grief through the eyes of a child, rendered with sympathy and charm in Olivier Tallec’s expressive illustrations.

Seven-year-old Sean hopped off the bus after school one Friday afternoon to terrible news. After his first week of second grade his family had to tell him that his father passed away. The Day My Dad Turned Invisible follows Sean as he experiences death for the first time in his life as he tries to get a grasp of what it really means when someone passes away.
his true story by Sean R. Simmons shares his experience as a young child going through different emotions as he asks his family members questions to get an understanding of the events that went on after his father passed away. Ultimately Sean grasps the meaning of death and learns to deal with it the best he knows how.

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).
arents, educators, therapists, and social workers alike have declared The Invisible String the perfect tool for coping with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss, and grief. In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they're all connected by an invisible string. "That's impossible!" the children insist, but still they want to know more: "What kind of string?" The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away? This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love.
ecommended and adopted by parenting blogs, bereavement support groups, hospice centers, foster care and social service agencies, military library services, church groups, and educators, The Invisible String offers a very simple approach to overcoming loneliness, separation, or loss with an imaginative twist that children easily understand and embrace, and delivers a particularly compelling message in today's uncertain times. This special paperback edition includes vibrant new illustrations and an introduction from the author.ead all the books in The Invisible String series:
The Invisible String Backpack: Your very own tool kit for school—and life!
The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm, and Connect
The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet​
The Invisible Web: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love and Universal Connection
You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby

One day in Hawaii, while doing what he loved most, Dadda is lost in a terrible diving accident. At first, Izzy, Hudson, and Addy don't understand what's happened. Why is Momma so sad? Why hasn't Dadda come home for dinner yet? Why are so many people visiting and giving them new toys? But as time passes, the three siblings start to realize where their Dadda has gone. It takes them a lot of bravery to understand why it's OK to be happy that he gets to dive forever while also being sad because they miss him so much. A Hui Hou: Until We Meet Again is the heart-wrenching true story of a family's devastating loss. But it is also a story about understanding, accepting, and processing death and grief, uniquely narrated by children, for children. Izzy, Hudson, and Addy share their experience in the pure, emotional, and unfiltered way needed to help young minds grasp the impossible: the loss of a loved one.

Bestselling author/artist Nancy Tillman celebrates the ways in which the love between parents and children is forever.
I wanted you more than you'll ever know,
So I sent love to follow wherever you go.
Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It's the one thing they can carry with them each and every day.
f love could take shape it might look something like these heartfelt words and images from the inimitable Nancy Tillman. Wherever You Are is a book to share with your loved ones, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are.

The Death of Cupcake: A Child’s Experience with Loss exposes the intersection of grief and consciousness from a child’s perspective. It opens a conscious dialogue about life and loss, reminding parents and children of their infinite nature. It allows children to view death as a liberation, easing the fears and sorrows surrounding a personal loss. Through the lens of consciousness lies the realization that many children are not given the space to make closure when a loved one transitions because physical death is not easily discussed. Furthermore, many children are excluded from funeral or burial proceedings. Thereby, the unresolved feelings and emotions surrounding the death of a close family member, friend, or beloved pet are often carried over into adulthood. The Death of Cupcake elevates our collective perspective surrounding loss to overcome our societal fears of finality.

A multi-award-winning story about dealing with the loss of a loved one, The Memory Box has been an invaluable resource for thousands of families.
rom the perspective of a young child, author Joanna Rowland artfully describes what it's like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died. The child in the story wonders if she will forget the person who has gone. Other days I wonder if I'll ever stop feeling sad you are gone.
he main character creates a memory box to keep mementos and written memories of her loved one to help with the grieving process. Throughout the narrative, the child's feelings are acknowledged, allowed, and assured that feelings are normal and healthy to express. Heartfelt and comforting, The Memory Box helps children, parents, educators, therapists, and social workers talk about this very difficult topic together.
he unique point of view allows each reader to imagine the loss of someone they've loved -- a friend, family member, or even a pet. A guide in the back includes information to help children manage grief and offers suggestions on how to create a memory box.
ecommended and adopted by parenting blogs, bereavement support groups, hospice centers, social service agencies, military library services, church groups, and educators, The Memory Box offers a very simple approach to overcoming loss, separation, and disappointment while also giving support and encouragement that children easily understand. A perfect companion to this book is The Memory Book: A Grief Journal for Children and Families that helps children record stories, memories, and feelings as an honoring keepsake to be cherished for years to come.

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.
arents, teachers, and gift givers will find:
anguage that is simple, direct, and easy for young children to understand
a helpful tool for coping with loss and grief
a book about bereavement written by a psychotherapist and counselor
a whole series of books for children to explore mental health and emotional issuesThe A First Look At series promotes positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers, and encourages kids to ask questions and confront difficult social and emotional questions. Books feature appealing full-color illustrations on every page plus a page of advice to parents and teachers.
hat parents and educators are saying:
highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with how to help their children deal with their grief.
The book did a wonderful job of presenting the facts about life and death, as well as explaining, and therefore preparing her for, the funeral and memorial service we attended.
There are good questions towards the end that can help to get little ones talking about how they are feeling.
This little book was a great and gentle way to introduce death and feelings associated with loss to my almost 4-year-old son. I recommend it.

From #1 New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers, comes a poignant and beautiful story about finding joy after loss.
here is a wonder and magic to childhood. We don’t realize it at the time, of course . . . yet the adults in our lives do. They encourage us to see things in the stars, to find joy in colors and laughter as we play.
ut what happens when that special someone who encourages such wonder and magic is no longer around? We can hide, we can place our heart in a bottle and grow up . . . or we can find another special someone who understands the magic. And we can encourage them to see things in the stars, find joy among colors and laughter as they play.
liver Jeffers delivers a remarkable book, a touching and resonant tale reminiscent of The Giving Tree that will speak to the hearts of children and parents alike.

When the death of a relative, a friend, or a pet happens or is about to happen . . . how can we help a child to understand?

Lifetimes is a moving book for children of all ages, even parents too. It lets us explain life and death in a sensitive, caring, beautiful way. Lifetimes tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between. With large, wonderful illustrations, it tells about plants. About animals. About people. It tells that dying is as much a part of living as being born. It helps us to remember. It helps us to understand.

Lifetimes . . . a very special, very important book for you and your child. The book that explains—beautifully—that all living things have their own special Lifetimes.

After the phenomenal success of The Storm Whale and On Sudden Hill, this new book by Benji Davies deals with the emotional topic of losing a grandparent. Subtly told, this beautifully illustrated book tackles a difficult subject with great sensitivity and depth.

A gentle and moving story about losing a friend, and the importance of always expressing your love.
lfie the dachshund is the best dog anyone could every ask for. Every day, she and her owner explore and play together. And every night, her owner tells her "I'll always love you." Elfie owner grow up togther, but growing up can mean having to say goodbye to the ones you love. This tender story is a perfect way to make the topic of loss a little less scary for kids (and grownups).