When a family experiences grief, children frequently become the focus – how to talk to them about death, how to recognise if they are grieving “normally,” how to foster open communication and dialogue, and so on. When we ask adults what they require in their grief, their first response is frequently what they require for their children.
We’ve talked about journaling, activities, and workbooks for kids, but sometimes telling a storey is the best way to start a conversation. Reading a story can often help children realise they are not alone and normalise their feelings. It can provide a safe environment for children to discuss death and grief in groups, as a family, or one-on-one. We have compiled a list of our favourite children’s books about bereavement and where to find them online. Please leave a comment with your favourites.
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children (kids 5+)
2.The Invisible String (kids 3+)
- Everett Anderson’s Goodbye (Reading Rainbow)(kids 5-8)
- The Tenth Good Thing About Barney(kids 6-9)
- I’ll Always Love You(kids 3-7)
- When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death (Dino Life Guides for Families)(kids 4-8)
- I Miss You: A First Look at Death (First Look at Books)(kids 4+)
- The Saddest Time(kids 6-9)
- Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss(kids 8+)
- The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages(kids 4+)
- Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying(kids 4+)
- Where Are You? A Child’s Book About Loss(kids 4-8)
- Samantha Jane’s Missing Smile: A Story About Coping With the Loss of a Parent(kids 5+)
- The Scar(kids5-9)
- A Terrible Thing Happened(kids 4+)
- The Elephant in the Room: A Childrens Book for Grief and Loss(kids 4+)
- The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Be Sad(kids 4+)
- I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand…: A Child’s Guide to Grief and Loss (Little Imp Books)(kids 9+)
- Water Bugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children(kids 4+)
- When Your Grandparent Dies: A Child’s Guide to Good Grief (Elf-Help Books for Kids)(kids 5+)
- Someone I Love Died(kids 4-8)
- What Happened When Grandma Died?(kids 4+)
- Always and Forever(kids 4+)
- Badger’s Parting Gifts(kids 4-8)
- Ghost Wings(kids 5+)
- Finding Grandpa Everywhere: A Young Child Discovers Memories of a Grandparent(kids 7+)
- Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss (Elf-Help Books for Kids)(kids 6+)
- Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs (Picture Puffins)(kids 4-8)
- Daddy, Up and Down: Sisters Grieve the Loss of Their Daddy(kids 4-8)
- Saying Goodbye to Daddy(kids 4+)
- The Angel with the Golden Glow: A Family’s Journey Through Loss and Healing(kids 4+)
- Where’s Jess: For Children Who Have a Brother or Sister Die(kids 3-6)
- A Taste of Blackberries(kids 8-12)
- Bridge to Terabithia(kids 8-12)
- My Grandson Lew(kids 4-6)
- Aarvy Aardvark Finds Hope: A Read Aloud Story for People of All Ages About Loving and Losing, Friendship and Hope(as the title says, people of all ages!)
- The Empty Place: A Child’s Guide Through Grief (Let’s Talk)(kids 5-10)
- Dancing on the Moon(kids 3+)
- Lost and Found: Remembering a Sister(kids 6+)
- Stacy Had a Little Sister (A Concept Book)(kids 4+)
- Ragtail Remembers: A Story That Helps Children Understand Feelings of Grief(kids 4+)
- Goodbye Mousie(kids 4-8)
- Remembering Crystal(kids 3+)
- Rudi’s Pond(kids 5-8)
- The Memory String(kids 4-8)
- Sammy in the Sky(kids 4-8)
- Where Do People Go When They Die?(kids 3-8)
- Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories(kids 3-8)
- Her Mother’s Face(kids 4-8)
- Remembering Mama(kids 4+)
- Old Pig (Picture Puffin)(kids 3-8)
- Pearl’s Marigolds for Grandpa(kids 3-7)
- Saying Goodbye to Lulu(kids 3-6)
- The Mountains of Tibet(kids 7+)
- Rabbityness(kids 3-7)
- I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand…: A Child’s Guide to Grief and Loss (Little Imp Books)(kids 9+)
- Can You Hear Me Smiling?: A Child Grieves a Sister(kids 8+)
- The Copper Tree(kids 5-8)
- Everybody Feels Sad(kids 4+)
- Grief is Like a Snowflake(kids 4+)
There are a variety of charitable organisations working tirelessly to help support those suffering bereavement. If you would like more information please visit one of the following websites or contact us at Carlyon Funeral Directors for support;
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