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Loss of a Loved One Books for Grieving Children
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Boats for Papa by Jessixa BagleyBuckley and his mother cope with the loss of their father/husband by sending small wooden boats, built by Buckley, off into the ocean. (Ages 4 - 8)
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Grandpa's stories by Joseph CoelhoA young girl reflects on a year of exploring and laughing with her beloved Grandpa, remembering many special moments as she seeks a way to honor him after his death.
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The Rabbit Listened by Cori DoerrfeldA metaphorical tale of empathy and friendship follows the experiences of a small child who is offered well-intentioned advice from his animal friends in the wake of a loss but only finds comfort with the last animal, a rabbit who just quietly listens. (Ages 3 - 8)
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Always and Forever by Alan DurantWhen Fox dies, Mole, Hare, and Otter have a hard time adjusting to his loss until Squirrel reminds them of all the good times they shared in the past--reassuring them that Fox will always be alive in their hearts and minds. (Ages 3 - 8)
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You'll Find Me by Amanda Rawson HillIllustrations and easy-to-read text highlight ways to find reminders of loved ones in everyday actions, even after they are gone.
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Dance Like a Leaf by A. J. IrvingAs her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions.
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The Funeral by Matt JamesAlthough Norma does not understand all the rituals that happen when she attends a funeral with her family, she does enjoy playing with her cousin and feels certain of one thing: Uncle Frank would have enjoyed his funeral. This sensitive and life-affirming story will lead young readers to ask their own questions about life, death and how we remember those who have gone before us. (Ages 4 - 8)
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Cape by Kevin JohnsonAfter 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.
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The Treasure Box by David KeaneAfter her beloved grandpa passes away, a little girl learns how to continue the tradition of collecting treasures with the help of her Granny, who shows her that memories of time together are the greatest treasures of all.
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Ida, Always by Caron LevisWhen his best friend and fellow polar bear, Ida, becomes terminally ill, a sad Gus spends their final days together whispering, sniffling, cuddling and laughing with Ida in their home at the Central Park Zoo. (Ages 5 - 8)
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Remembering Crystal by Sebastian LothCrystal had lived in the garden for many years and she was growing old--Zelda was just starting out in life and though she was young, she and Crystal were best friends, but one day Crystal was not in the garden, she had died; in this gentle, beautifully illustrated story, children learn, with Zelda, that true friendship is a gift that doesn't die. (Ages 3 - 8)
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Always Rememberby Cece MengA lyrical tribute to the loss of a loved one follows the farewell of Old Turtle, whose grieving friends lovingly remember how he impacted their lives and will continue to influence their world. (Ages 4 - 8)
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All From a Walnut by Ammi-Joan PaquetteWhen her grandfather passes away, Emilia, who learned from him how to cultivate her own seed, finds her walnut sapling looking as sad as she feels but knows just what to do.
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Mom's Sweater by Jayde PerkinA compassionate story for children navigating loss follows the experiences of a little girl who looks for ways to manage the understandable anger, loneliness and jealousy associated with the death of her mother by finding comfort in an old sweater and gradually adjusting to her grief.
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Still Mine by Jayne PillemerThis comforting and reassuring picture book for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one shows how even though your heart hurts and you miss them, they are still there and yours to love, just in a different way.
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Sitting Shiva by Erin SilverSitting Shiva is a beautiful, heartfelt story about grief and loss, but also about comfort and community. It shows that no matter what religion you practice, we are all more similar than we are different.
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Zayde Comes to Live by Sheri Cooper SinykinWhen Rachel's beloved grandfather, Zayde, comes to spend his last days with her family, she worries what will happen when he dies, especially after friends tell her the Christian and Muslim beliefs about the afterlife.
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Dadaji's Paintbrush by Rashmi SirdeshpandeOnce, in a tiny village in India, there was a young boy who loved to paint. He lived with his grandfather, who taught him to paint with his fingers, to make paints from marigolds and brushes made from jasmine flowers. Sometimes, the village children would watch them painting together, and the boy's grandfather would invite them to join in. They didn't have much, but they had each other. After his grandfather dies, the boy notices a little box wrapped in string with a note that read: "From Dadaji, with love," with his grandfather's best paintbrush tucked away inside. But he feels he will never want to paint again. Will the boy overcome his grief and find joy in painting and his dadaji's memory again?
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The Yellow Suitcase by Meera SriramAsha travels with her family to India to mourn the passing of her beloved grandma, but Asha has a lot of trouble letting go until she sees that the suitcase that she traveled with contains something special.
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Saturdays are for Stella by Candy WellinsGeorge loves Saturdays. That's because Saturdays mean time with Grandma Stella. The two of them love going on adventures downtown to visit the dinosaur museum and ride on the carousel! Even when they stay in, George and Stella have fun together, making cinnamon rolls without popping open a tube and sharing the biggest, best hugs. Then one day Stella is gone, and George is ready to cancel Saturdays.
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I'll Say Goodbye by Pam ZollmanWith the help of a pet hermit crab, a child finds a way to say goodbye to Uncle Mike after his death from cancer, in a gentle, evocatively illustrated story which addresses illness and loss from a child's perspective.
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The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing by Molly B. BurnhamWhen Grandpa Walter, who is grieving the loss of her Grandma Ima, comes to stay, 10-year-old uber-curious Dottie Bing discovers for the first time in her life that she isn't sure what to ask.
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Jude Banks, Superhero by Ann HoodKatie was Jude's favorite person in the world. And not many brothers say that about their sister and mean it. She was also the person who died. And Jude believes he was the one who killed her. Now, twelve-year-old Jude must figure out what life looks like without his favorite person. It's only when he meets a girl named Clementine, who also lost a sibling, that he begins to imagine a world where maybe things might be okay. But Clementine is nursing a terrible guilt, and even though Katie called Jude a "superhero," he isn't sure he can save her.
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My Father's Words by Patricia MacLachlanDeclan O'Brien always had a gentle word to share, odd phrases he liked to repeat, and songs to sing while he played basketball. His family loved him deeply and always knew they were loved in return. but a terrible accident one day changes their lives forever, and Fiona and Finn O'Brien are left without a father. Their mother is at a loss. What words are there to guide them through such overwhelming grief...Perhaps with time, patience, and their father's gentle words in their hearts, hope will spark once more. (Ages 8 - 12)
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Umbrella Summer by Lisa GraffAfter her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie Richards worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss. (Ages 8 - 12)
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Corey's Rock by Sita BrahmachariA story that beautifully weaves together themes of bereavement, identity and hope, alongside the traditional selkie legend. (Ages 9 and up)
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What Happens at a Funeral? by David CrossmeisterAttending a funeral is often an unfamiliar situation for young children. Grieving people experience many emotions, which could make children scared, confused, or uncomfortable. Through accessible language, this book helps readers understand what they might expect during and after a funeral. (Ages 6 - 10)
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Losing a Family Member by Holly DuhigThe struggles of dealing with a loved one's death, including the grieving process and the difficult questions asked during it, are addressed within this relatable narrative. The carefully crafted text inspires thoughtful discussion about life, death, and grief.
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The Treasure Box by David KeaneAfter her beloved grandpa passes away, a little girl learns how to continue the tradition of collecting treasures with the help of her Granny, who shows her that memories of time together are the greatest treasures of all. (Ages 4 - 8)
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What Happens When a Loved One Dies? : Our First Talk About Death by Jillian RobertsWhether children are experiencing grief and loss for the first time or simply curious, it can be difficult to know how to talk to them about death. Using questions posed in a child's voice and answers that start simply and become more in-depth, this book allows adults to guide the conversation to a natural and reassuring conclusion. (Ages 3 - 7)
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What Happens When My Parent Dies? by Melissa Raé ShofnerThis book touches on many of the emotions that a child might feel during this difficult time--including grief, guilt, and fear--and offers advice on how to talk about these feelings. Some of the changes that may occur in a child's life after the death of a parent are also discussed. (Ages 7 - 10)
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Talking About Death by Louise SpilsburyA positive and proactive book that helps you understand and cope with death. Death tackles situations including: the loss of a grandparent, the loss of a sibling, the death of a parent, and the death of a friend. The book includes top tips for dealing with your emotions and conflict resolution.
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Love Is Forever by Rachael BalsaitisLosing a loved one is difficult for anyone, but it is especially hard on a child who might be experiencing loss for the first time. Love is forever gives caregivers and children a beautiful way to begin talking about loss and grief and how to keep loved ones close in heart and mind through shared memories. (Ages 3 - 8)
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Missing Mommy : A Book About Bereavement by Rebecca CobbHonest and straightforward, this touching story explores the many emotions a bereaved child may experience as a result of the loss of a parent or loved one, from anger and guilt to sadness and bewilderment. (Ages 3 - 7)
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The Pond by Nicola DaviesA young boy and his family struggle to overcome the loss of his father using the small pond that he had begun to build as part of the healing process. (Ages 5 - 7)
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Children Also Grieve : Talking About Death and Healing by Linda GoldmanHenry the dog explains how he felt after his grandfather died, and how the children who make up his family felt and worked through their feelings of grief; includes a "memory book" for young readers who have lost someone.
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Death Is Stupid by Anastasia HigginbothamThis forthright exploration of grief and mourning recognizes the anger, confusion, and fear that we feel about death. Necessary, beautiful, and ultimately reassuring, Death Is Stupid is an invaluable tool for discussing death, but also the possibilities for celebrating life and love. (Ages 4 - 8)
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The Sour Cherry Tree by Naseem HrabAfter her grandfather's death, a young girl wanders through his house. As she tours each room, the objects she discovers stir memories of her grandfather--her baba bozorg. His closet full of clothes reminds her of the mints he kept in his pockets. His favorite teacup conjures thoughts of the fig cookies he would offer her. The curtains in the living room bring up memories of hide-and-seek games and the special relationship that she and her baba bozorg shared, even though they spoke different languages.
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A Last Goodbye by Elin KelseyThis book broaches a difficult topic in a heartfelt way by exploring the beauty in how animals mourn. From elephants to whales, parrots to bonobos, and lemurs to humans, we all have rituals to commemorate our loved ones and to lift each other up in difficult times. (Ages 4 - 9)
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Ben's Flying Flowers by Inger M. MaierEmily introduces her younger brother, Ben, to butterflies, which he calls "flying flowers," and when his illness makes him too weak to go see them she draws him pictures, but after his death she no longer wants to draw happy things. Includes note to parents. (Ages 4 - 8)
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Gentle Willow : A Story for Children About Dying by Joyce C. MillsAmanda the squirrel is upset that she is going to lose her friend Gentle Willow, but the tree wizards give advice that help both her and Gentle Willow accept the change that comes with death. (Ages 4 - 8)
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Remembering Ethan by Lesléa NewmanA young girl misses her deceased brother and wants to talk about him, and she does not understand why her parents do not even want to mention his name.
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The Goodbye Book by Todd ParrA pet fish who has lost his companion imparts a gentle, age-appropriate message about saying goodbye while touching on the emotions commonly experienced by children in the face of loss. (Ages 3 -7)
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Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael RosenA man tells about all the emotions that accompany his sadness over the death of his son, and how he tries to cope. (Ages 8 and up)
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The Memory Box : A Book About Grief by Joanna RowlandGrieving over the death of a special person, a young child creates a memory box to keep mementos and written memories of the loved one. Includes a guide for parents with information from a Christian perspective on helping manage the complex and difficult emotions children feel when they lose someone they love, as well as suggestions on how to create their own memory box, (Ages 4 - 8)
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I Miss You : A First Look at Death by Pat ThomasWhen a close friend or family member dies, it can be difficult for children to express their feelings. This book helps boys and girls understand that death is a natural complement to life, and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings for them to have following a loved one's death. (Ages 4 - 7)
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Lost In The Clouds by Tom Tinn-DisburyChildren find grief and loss a difficult subject and understanding where a loved one has gone, can be a difficult topic to explain... Billy misses his Mommy very much. She lives in the clouds. Some days the sun is shining and Mommy's clouds are nowhere to be seen. Those are Billy's favorite days when he and Daddy would play in the garden all day long, and Billy knows that Mommy is letting the sun shine for them. But not all days are like that. Sometimes Mommy's clouds are dark, and Billy feels sad and alone. This moving and sensitively-written picture book gently explores grief and teaches children how to deal with loss and their emotions surrounding the death of a loved one. (Ages 3 - 6)
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Lasting Love by Caroline WrightIn this story, when a young child's mother gets sick, a magical creature appears. It grows and grows, just like a mother's love. Even as her illness takes a turn for the worse and the child faces tragedy, he can see the creature will always be there. Forever and ever. Terminal illness and its effect on a loved one is a hard thing for anyone to understand, especially a child. Written by a parent who has faced these possibilities, this book can be used to help children cope with grief. (Ages 3 - 8)
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