LibraryAware Tough Topics

Cape
by Johnson, Kevin

After losing the person in his life he loves more than anything, a young child holds onto a cape as a source of comfort and strength as he navigates the sadness and joy of his memories. 40,000 first printing. Illustrations.

Sitting shiva
by Silver, Erin

A little girl grieves the loss of her mother. Her friends and family arrive at her house to sit shiva, the Jewish practice of mourning the death of a family member, but she refuses to come downstairs. Eventually, she comes out of hiding and feels solace with others. A beautiful, heartfelt story about grief, loss, comfort and the importance of community. (back cover)

Always sisters
by Mir, Saira

When she discovers her baby sister won't be coming home after all, Raya feels confused and sad, but with the help of family, friends and her school counselor, she finds a way to grieve this loss and share the love she'll always feel for her sister. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Walking Grandma home
by Flood, Bo

A child psychologist and counselor presents this touching and relatable story about a young boy's grief over losing his beloved grandma to help children better understand the emotions, language and concepts around losing a loved one. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

An ofrenda for Perro
by Valdâes B., Judith

"Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the flores de cempasuchil, candles, pan de muertos, photographs, and sharing memories of departed loved ones. By creating his own special altar for Perro, he realizes that his love for his beloved companion, and the happiness Perro gave him, will always remain. Told with honesty and hope, this heartfelt book is the perfect story for any child coping with loss, and for those who celebrate--or want to learn more about--Dâia de los Muertos"

Two homes, one heart
by Young, Jessica

"A touching, lyrical picture book about a family going through a divorce and the emotional journey of a young girl facing a tough change in her home life."--Provided by publisher

My big fantastic family
by Guillain, Adam

Funny and heartfelt, this picture book follows Lily-May as she learns to embrace the positive aspects of her blended family after her parents get divorced, discovering just how many people love her!

Simon y el sauce llorón / Simon and the Weeping Willow
by Coronado, Ingrid

Simon is a very happy child, but everything changes when his parents announce that they're going to divorce, and it takes a magical and wise willow who becomes his friend to help him through the difficult moment of his parents' separation. Preschool-Gr K

Fred stays with me
by Coffelt, Nancy

A little girl describes how she sometimes lives with her mother and sometimes with her father, but her dog, Fred, is her constant companion, in a heartwarming book that celebrates friendship.

Thursday
by Bonwill, Ann

A true friend can help us through anything . . . When a little girl learns about her parents' divorce on a Thursday, it ruins her favorite day of the week. But her stuffed-unicorn friend steps in to help, taking her on adventures to cheer her up and staying by her side to comfort her when feelings are hard. Then, slowly, the little girl and her unicorn friend awaken to the natural world that surrounds them as life continues to shift and change...until the day that Thursday can become just Thursday again.Told with great sensitivity and beauty, this is a book of healing and hope for children experiencing divorce and a testament to the power of friendship in helping us to overcome life's biggest obstacles

Knock knock
by Beaty, Daniel

Features evocative illustrations by the Caldecott Honor- and Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist of Fifty Cents and a Dream and follows the experiences of a young child who taps his inner strength in spite of having an absent father. 25,000 first printing.

Milo imagines the world
by de la Pena, Matt

The team behind the Newbery Medal-winning Last Stop on Market Street follows the experiences of a little boy who creatively imagines the stories of fellow passengers on a long subway ride. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Far apart, close in heart
by Birtha, Becky

A story for children who have a parent in jail explores the feelings of anger, sadness, loneliness and fear that they may experience and how they can find comfort by sending letters, talking with trusted adults, visiting and recognizing that they are not alone.

See you soon
by Kaba, Mariame

"From New York Times Bestselling Author Mariame Kaba, a poignant, beautifully illustrated story of a little girl's worries when her Mama goes to jail, and the love that bridges the distance between them: "Even though I'm away, My love is always here to stay. See you soon, Queenie. Love, Mama." Queenie loves living with Mama and Grandma Louise. Together, they go to the grocery store, eat ice cream, and play games in the park. Mama braids Queenie's hair and helps her with her homework. Sometimes, when Mamais sick, she has to go away. One day, Queenie and Grandma ride the bus with Mama to the county jail. Queenie is worried about what will happen when Mama goes to jail. She's afraid to ask questions, and overcome with feelings of worry and sadness. Does Mama have a warm bed to sleep in? When will Queenie see her again? Soon after she and Grandma return home, Queenie opens a letter from Mama, and savors every word. She knows her Mama loves her, and looks forward to their upcoming visit"--Provided by publisher

My brother is away
by Greenwood, Sara

"When her Mama and Daddy take her to visit her brother in prison, a young girl who has been struggling with the confusing feelings his absence creates feels her fears melting away when she sees him, realizing his love hasn't changed. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations."

Some days
by Stamm, Julie A.

Some days Wyatt and his mom have big adventures and some days, when his mom's multiple sclerosis flares up, they have small adventures

When a kid like me fights cancer
by Stier, Catherine

When Ben finds out he has cancer, he discovers that even though many things change, the most important things stay the same, and everyone around him wants to help him fight

Dear girl
by Swerts, An

"Something is different about Grandpa. He forgets things very easily--he even forgets what simple words mean. Grandpa can remember a lot from his childhood, but his granddaughter, Cathy, knows that something is wrong. Join Cathy and her family as they learn about dementia and find things that Grandpa will hold dear, just like his dear girl, Cathy"

Cloud babies
by Colfer, Eoin

Returning to school after being in the hospital for a while, 6-year-old Erin, whose favorite game is spotting animals in the clouds, finds things much different until she comes to see that by sharing her experience, she can find happiness again in just being herself. Illustrations.

Sometimes when I'm sad
by Serani, Deborah

Counseling children on the importance of recognizing when their sadness is temporary and when they need help, a practical self-help resource shares advice about talking with a trusted adult and managing difficult feelings through art and activities. Illustrations.

You are not alone
by McGaw, Kaitlin

Inspired by the Alphabet Rocker's empowering song“Not Alone,” this uplifting picture book encourages kids to love themselves, stand up to hate, step up for one another and have each other's backs, no matter what. Illustrations.

The big bad wolf in my house
by Fontaine, Valâerie

"The young girl tells us that her mom's new friend is just like the big bad wolf. At first the wolf is sweet and kind to her mom, though the girl notices the wolf's cold eyes from the very beginning. When her mom arrives home late one day, the wolf suddenly hurls angry words and terrible names at her. From that day on her mother doesn't smile anymore. The girl is careful to clean her room and brush her teeth and do everything to keep the peace, but the wolf is unpredictable, throwing plates on the floor,yelling at her mother and holding the girl's arm so tightly she is left with bruises. Whenever the yelling begins, she hides under the covers in her room. How will she and her mom cope as the wolf becomes increasingly fierce? Valâerie Fontaine and Nathalie Dion have created a powerful, moving story about violence in the home that ends on a note of hope"

Saturday at the food pantry
by O'Neill, Diane

Molly and her mom do not always have enough food, so when they visit their local food pantry Molly she sees her classmate Caitlin who is embarrassed to be there, so Molly helps Caitlin realize everyone needs help sometimes

Just like a mama
by Duncan, Alice Faye

"A celebration of the heart connection between adopted children and the forever families who welcome them with kindness, care and unconditional love is powerfully portrayed in this picture book from the author of ""Honey Baby Sugar Child"". 25,000 first printing. Illustrations."

My shoes and I
by Colato Laâinez, Renâe

As a boy and his Papâa travel from El Salvador to the United States to be reunited with Mamâa, his wonderful new shoes help to distract him from the long and difficult journey

For additional reading ideas, talk with your library staff