Books for Children

Angel Catcher for Kids by Amy Eldon

• A journal to help you remember the person you love who died.

Ben's Flying Flower

• Ben’s Flying Flowers beautifully characterizes a child’s common emotional reactions when a sibling dies and pays specific attention to the child’s experience by way of explanation, imagery, and healing messages.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia, PhD

• Tells the story of a leaf named Freddie who goes through the changes with the passing of the seasons and illustrates the balance between life and death.  

The Fox and the Feather: A children's book for the grieving heart

• This book gives hope to the grieving heart, while strengthening spiritual and emotional intelligence for both children and adults.

The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr

• Through the lens of a pet fish who has lost his companion, Todd Parr tells a moving and wholly accessible story about saying goodbye

The Good Mourning: A Kid's Support Guide for Grief and Mourning Death

• A kid's support guide for grief and mourning death. The book helps other boys and girls deal with the loss of a parent, grandparent, other close relative, or friend. 

How I Feel: Grief Journal for Kids: Guided Prompts to Explore Your Feelings and Find Peace

• This guided journal is filled with prompts and exercises that encourage kids (8-12) to explore their emotions, find comfort and peace, and hold their memories close to their heart forever.

Ida, Always 

• A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears. And a gentle, moving, needed reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always.

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witeck & Christine Roussey

• Celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes in this New York Times bestselling picture book from the Growing Hearts series.

I Remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story 

• In this bilingual book, a young girl is busy helping her family prepare to honor those who have died--especially her grandfather.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst  

• A story that explains how to keep loved ones close at heart by imagining that all the people they love are connected by an invisible string. Helps remind children that they are never alone, and can be helpful in discussing separation or loss.

My Yellow Balloon by Tiffany Papageorge

• A story of love, loss, and letting go that serves as a comforting guide to children who are navigating the complicated emotions of grief

The Next Place by Warren Hansen

• A rhythmic poem with beautiful illustrations that describes what “the next place” might look like without adding a religious context. Appropriate for school age children, parents, and caregivers.  

Since My Brother Died

• A young Spanish speaking boy tells what he sees, what he feels, what he hears from others around him, and how what others say and do impact him after his brother dies. Go along on his journey to keep his brother with him in memory and in love.

Waterbugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Children by Doris Stickney 

• A story about 2 water bugs and what happens to one when it goes above the water and turns into a dragonfly. Talks about a change in the water bug’s physical body, how he tries to return to the water below but finds that he cannot, but realizes that he will be reunited with the other water bugs one day when they become dragonflies.

 We Were Going to Have a Baby but We Had an Angel Instead by Pat Schweibert

• Story of grief following the loss of a baby. The book is told from a sibling’s perspective about anticipating a new baby being in the house and the sadness that ensues when the baby dies unexpectedly.

When Someone Dies: A Children's Mindful How-To Guide on Grief and Loss By Andrea Dorn, MSW

• Written and illustrated by a therapist (and mother), Andrea Dorn, MSW, When Someone Dies walks children through the bereavement process in a simple, concrete, and developmentally appropriate way. Through the lens of mindfulness, children will learn how to say goodbye, make space for any emotions that arise, and work through their grief.

When Someone Dies: A Child-Caregiver Activity Book 

• Contained within the pages of the book are activities for children designed to help them better express, understand, and cope with their grief. Each page also offers guidance about how adults can connect with their child on the very difficult subjects of death, dying, and bereavement.

When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief