Books To Help Children With
Grief and Loss
by Melissa Taylor
Death and loss are part of life. As parents, we often struggle to support our children through their grief. Know that reading and discussing picture books on grief and loss can help. It’s just one of the many steps that authors John W. James and Russell Friedman write about in The Grief Recovery Handbook, explaining that “Recovery from grief or loss is achieved by a series of small and correct action choices made by the griever.”
These books deal with grief, not death. None contain religious explanations. Likewise, none of these books use metaphors about death because experts agree that children need the real words — “death,” “die,” “buried” — not euphemisms such as “went to sleep,” “departed,” or “gone home.”
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The Rabbit Listened
Available from:Knowing how to be there for a loved one in hard times can be challenging. So often our best intentions — to advise, to talk, to share — fail to bring them the comfort we hope. The Rabbit Listened, a simple, evocative, and moving story about loss and love and empathy, is a welcome reminder of the power of simply being present and listening.
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Goodbye: A First Conversation About Grief
Available from:It’s important to have honest and open conversations with our children about tough topics, but it can be difficult to start them. This book offers caregivers and parents an excellent launch pad for a discussion about grief. It addresses the most common questions children have about death and sadness.
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See You on the Other Side
Available from:Singer, dancer, and Broadway star Rachel Montez Minor wrote this sweet book. The rhyming text and beautiful illustrations serve as a gentle reminder that departed loved ones live on in our hearts and memories. Whether your child is trying to make sense of a death, loss, or a significant life change, this book offers comfort and hope.
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I Miss You Most
Available from:A child missing her Grandpa recounts all the ways he's loved and remembered. The lyrical rhyming verse comforts the reader, nicely complimented by the illustrations warm and soothing color palette. It's a highly relatable read that can help children navigate such heavy feelings of grief.
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A Walk in the Woods
Available from:Heartfelt and deeply personal, this award-winning picture book captures a beautiful story about a young boy learning something new about his recently deceased father. The boy finds a map of the woods that his father made and follows it, recalling the memories they made together. When he reaches the end of the map, the boy finds a collection of his father’s drawings and feels a deeper connection to him.
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Where Did Poppy Go?
Available from:A little boy wonders where his grandfather went after he died. In response, his father takes him on a healing walk, pointing out that we can keep our loved ones with us through everything we see and do. This non-religious approach to death focuses on the cycle of life and death that everyone experiences.
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The Storyteller
Available from:Griffin loves listening to his grandmother’s stories and spends every moment he can with her. But when she grows weak and starts to fade, Griffin fears what comes next. Inspired by her stories, he finds a unique and powerful way to keep his grandmother’s memory alive. This beautiful book is an ode to stories and the memories they carry.
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Goodbye, Bear
Available from:When their friend Bear dies, Beaver and Mole have difficulty processing their grief. As time and seasons progress, the friends move through the stages of grief together. Eventually, Beaver and Mole find a unique way to honor their friend and keep his memory alive. This sweet and whimsical picture book is a must-read for any child who has lost someone they love.
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Weather Any Storm
Available from:Life is full of ups and downs, including grief over lost pets and loved ones. This beautiful picture book shows little readers how to weather the storms of life, calm the waters, and enjoy smoother sailing. It’s a must-read for children dealing with big emotions or significant changes.
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A Shelter for Sadness
Available from:Dealing with grief and loss is a time for treating yourself with tenderness and care. In this gentle story, a young boy builds a shelter for his sadness where he can sit with it until it is ready to leave the shelter’s safety. It’s a beautiful reminder that grief gets better with time and attention.
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My Friend, Loonie
Available from:Loonie is a vibrant yellow balloon that brightens every moment for a young child. But when Loonie floats away, the child feels its loss immensely. With time, the child begins to see Loonie in their surroundings and feel joy again. This heartfelt picture book validates young children’s grief over losing a beloved companion.
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Sora’s Seashells: A Name Is a Gift to Be Treasured
Available from:Sora and her grandmother share a special bond over the pretty seashells they find at the beach. When her grandmother goes home to South Korea and passes away, Sora feels sad. However, she learns she can share her heritage and her grandmother’s love with her classmates by sharing her seashell collection. This sweet story is an excellent example of honoring deceased loved ones through small acts of kindness.
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Lost in the Clouds
Available from:Strong emotions often accompany the loss of a loved one. This book is about a boy named Billy, whose mom lives in the clouds. Sometimes, her clouds let the sun through; other times, they are dark and gloomy. It is a gentle picture book that shows children how to process and deal with overwhelming feelings of grief.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024.