I love you every day. And now I will miss you every day." - Mitch Albom
Books for Dealing with grief.
Remember Me in Heaven: Helping children go from sorrow to joy
by- Christina Stanley |
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In her children's book, "Remember Me in Heaven", Ms. Christina Stanley depicts memories of her late grandmother. Christina describes precious moments her grandmother shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a Christian author, Christina's children's book also portrays how young children can reflect on pleasant memories of a loved one(s) who has gone to Heaven. |
The Goodbye Book
by- Todd Parr |
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Through 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. |
The Invisible String
by- Patrice Karst
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When Liza and Jeremy run to their mother during a scary storm, she comforts them by telling them about the Invisible String, which connects people who love each other no matter where they are and means that they are never alone. |
Farewell, Grandpa Elephant: What Happens When a Loved One Dies?
by- Isabel Abedi
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Grandpa Elephant knows that it is his time to go to the elephant graveyard, and so he begins his farewell to his grandchildren. The young elephants are confused, but they soon realize that although there is sadness, the mystery of death holds countless possibilities. Maybe Grandpa Elephant will go to heaven and walk on clouds, or maybe he will come back to earth in a new form. Even he does not know. Though the little elephants will never see Grandpa Elephant again, they learn that he will live on in their thoughts and dreams. |
Someone I Love Died
by- Christine Harder Tangvald
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First published in 1988, Someone I Love Died has long comforted the hearts of children 4 to 8 who have lost someone close. It gently leads children through grief with age-appropriate words and solid biblical truth that understands a child's hurting heart. The added interactive resources ensure this book will become a treasured keepsake. Once complete, children create a memory book of the loved one's life. And it offers grown-ups a tool that turns what could be a difficult season into a meaningful time of healing. |
Remembering Blue Fish
by- Becky Friedman |
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When Daniel's pet fish dies, he learns to ask questions about what happened to help him understand what death means and how to handle his feelings. A much-needed book for parents looking for age appropriate resources on loss. |
Grandmother's Visit
by- Betty Quan
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Grandmother lives with Grace’s family. She teaches her how to measure water for rice. She tells her stories about growing up in China and together they savor the flavors of her childhood. Grandmother says goodbye when she drops Grace off at school every morning and hello when she picks her up at the end of the day. Then, Grandmother stops walking Grace to and from school, and the door to her room stays closed. Father comes home early to make dinner, but the rice bowls stay full. One day, Grandmother’s room is empty. And one day, Grandmother is buried. After the funeral, Grace’s mom turns on all the outside lights so that Grandmother’s spirit can find its way home for one final goodbye. Carmen Mok’s gentle illustrations show the love between a child and her grandmother in this story that will resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one. Betty Quan’s picture-book debut is haunting yet hopeful. |
The Sad Dragon: A Dragon Book About Grief and Loss
by- Stever Herman
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Having a pet dragon is very fun! He can sit, roll over, and play… He can candle a birthday cake, lit a campfire, or so many other fun things that will make you laugh… But sometimes, not every story is a happy one… What if your dragon is suffering from a loss of a loved one? What if he’s sad, angry, and heartbroken because his loved one passed away, and he cries and cries and cries? What should you do? You teach him about Grief and Loss. You explain death to him, and help him get through this difficult time! |
Bigger Than a Dream
by- Jef Aerts
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People fear death (apparently just a tiny bit less than public speaking). We don't know how to talk about it, especially to children, and we're afraid to bring it up for fear of making people sadder. Yet children, especially, have questions, and this incredibly gentle and surprisingly light story is full of both comfort and vividly imagined "answers." The first one gives the book its title: A boy hears the voice of his sister calling him one day, a sister he's never met because she died before he was born. The sister in the faded photograph on the wall. So that night he asks his mother what death is like and she tells him, "It's like dreaming, only bigger." That's lovely, but he still has questions, which it turns out his sister can answer! On a dreamy, carefree adventure they ride their bikes together, (not always on the ground), visiting places that were special to her when she was alive. And she talks to him in the older sister, teasing, straightforward, loving way that is exactly what he needs. (It turns out that death is not the only thing that can be Bigger Than a Dream.) Much, much more than bibliotherapy, this is a work of art that speaks with honesty and tenderness about one of life's great mysteries |
Maybe Tomorrow
by- Charolotte Agell
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Elba has a big block. She's been dragging it around for a long time. Norris dances everywhere he goes, even uphill. He is always surrounded by a happy cloud of butterflies. Can Norris and his butterflies help ease Elba's sadness and convince her to join them on a trip to the ocean? This tender exploration of loss illuminates the sustaining power of kindness, empathy, and freindship. It will resonate with anyone who has experiences hardship or grief, from the death of a loved one or a pet, to the transition to a new home, family situation, or learning environment. |
Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler's Guide to Understanding Death
by- Bonnie Zucker
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When a loved one dies, it can be hard to know how to explain it to a young child, particularly if you are grieving the loss yourself. Something Very Sad Happened is intended to be read to two- and three-year-old children to help them understand death and process the loss of a loved one. Written at a developmental level that is appropriate for two- and three-year-olds, the story explains death; lets children know that it is okay to feel sad; and reassures children that they can still love the person who died, and the person who died will always love them. Since the two- to three-year-old child cannot read, this story is intended to be personalized; certain words are color-coded in red to cue to you to substitute with the appropriate names and pronouns for the person who died. |
Why Do I Feel So Sad?: A Grief Book for Children
by- Tracy Lambert-Prater, LPC
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Why Do I Feel So Sad? is an inclusive, age-appropriate, illustrated kid's book designed to help young children understand their own grief. The examples and beautiful illustrations are rooted in real life, exploring the truth of loss and change, while remaining comforting and hopeful. Broad enough to encompass many forms of grief, this book reassures kids that they are not alone in their feelings and even suggests simple things they can do to feel better, like drawing, dancing, and talking to friends and family. |
Tell me about Heaven, Grandpa Rabbit!
by- Jenny Album
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The book follows the story of Bradley Bunny and his grandfather, Grandpa Rabbit. When Bradley asks Grandpa Rabbit what heaven is like, Grandpa tells Bradley to imagine 'a place in the sky that feels special'. Bradley Bunny imagines a carrot themed carnival in the sky! Grandpa Rabbit says that he imagines a beautiful garden, full of old friends and delicious food. Either way, when Grandpa Rabbit eventually goes to Heaven, Bradley is secure in the knowledge that that Grandpa will be very happy there. At the beginning of the story, Grandpa Rabbit had given Bradley a gift. At the end of the story, this gift reappears, and serves as a moving reminder to Bradley that, whilst the grandpa he loves has left, in some way, he will always be with him. |
I Will Always Love You
by- Melissa Lyons
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Gently ease a child through the loss of a loved one through comforting story & spellbinding illustration I Will Always Love You; is a simple, thought-provoking and deeply moving story that takes minutes to read but lasts a lifetime in a heart. When words are hard to find, bring peace and comfort to those who have lost a loved one or experienced some type of personal loss. Get hope and a sense of knowing that our loved ones could be somewhere happy and free. Be comforted by the fact that our deliberate choices can alter the way we respond to loss and have the power to bring a sense of joy and the transcendence that lifts us to a higher place of living. The ideal book for explaining death to young children, teens as well as adults dealing with grief who are looking for peace & recovery. |
The Endless Story: Explaining Life and Death to Children
by- Melissa Kircher
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The Endless Story examines death in a way that is frank, but gentle - talking about why people die and what happens to our bodies when we pass. The book explores traditions of remembrance and diverse ideas about a possible afterlife including reincarnation, energy, soul, heaven, and Mother Nature - ending with Love. The Endless Story invites children to engage in dialogue with their parents or caregivers about this weighty topic, providing them with information and engaging their imaginations with unique, colorful artwork. |
A Memory Box: A Book About Grief
by- Joanna Rowland
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From the perspective of a young child, Joanna Rowland artfully describes what it is like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died. The child in the story creates a memory box to keep mementos and written memories of the loved one, to help in the grieving process. Heartfelt and comforting, The Memory Box will help children and adults talk about this very difficult topic together. The unique point of view allows the reader to imagine the loss of any they have loved - a friend, family member, or even a pet. A parent guide in the back includes information on helping children manage the complex and difficult emotions they feel when they lose someone they love, as well as suggestions on how to create their own memory box. |
Grandpa's Stories
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One young girl reflects on a year with her beloved grandpa. She remembers the fields and parks they explored in the springtime and the old toys they fixed up in the summer. She remembers the handmade gifts they exchanged in the fall and the stories Grandpa told by the fi re each winter. But this year, the girl must say good-bye to Grandpa. In the face of her grief, she is determined to find a way to honor him. She decides to record her Grandpa stories in the notebook he made for her and carry Grandpa with her as she grows. An honest and relatable depiction of loss, Grandpa’s Stories celebrates life and the ways in which love lives on. |