KIDS: Learning About Grief
Addy's Cup of Sugar: Based on a Buddhist Story of Healing
by Jon J. Muth

An uplifting picture book based on an ancient Buddhist legend returns readers to the world of the Caldecott Honor-winning Zen Shorts and finds Stillwater the Panda offering wisdom and comfort to a little girl whose kitten has passed away.
Always Remember
by Cece Meng

A 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.
And So It Goes
by Paloma Valdivia

Explores the way that some people leave the world and others come into it, and how those who come into it eventually leave it.
The Blue Roses
by Linda Boyden

A Native American girl gardens with her grandfather, who helps to raise her, and learns about life and loss when he dies, and then speaks to her from a dream where he is surrounded by blue roses.
Death is Stupid
by Anastasia Higginbotham

"She's in a better place now," adults say again and again. But mortality doesn't seem better, it seems stupid. This 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. 
Duck, Death, and the Tulip
by Wolf Erlbruch

In a strangely heart-warming story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death. Death, Duck and the Tulip will intrigue, haunt and enchant readers of all ages. Simple, warm, and witty, this book deals with a difficult subject in a way that is elegant, straightforward, and life-affirming.
The Forever Sky
by Thomas D Peacock

Two young Ojibwe brothers, Niigaanii and Bineshiinh, look to the stars and spin stories, some inspired by Uncle and some of their own making, as they remember their grandmother.
The Funeral
by Matt James

Norma and her parents are going to her great-uncle Frank's funeral, and Norma is more excited than sad. She is looking forward to playing with her favorite cousin, Ray, but when she arrives at the church, she is confronted with rituals and ideas that have never occurred to her before. While not all questions can be answered, when the day is over Norma is 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.
Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying
by Joyce C. Mills

Amanda 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.
Grandma Lives in a Perfume Village
by Suzhen Fang

When his grandma dies Xiao Le comforts his mother by reminding her of all the ways his grandmother is still with them.
Grandmother's Visit
by Betty Quan

Missing the beloved late grandmother who taught her how to wash rice while sharing stories about her childhood in China, a sad little girl participates in a family tradition of turning on the outside lights so that her grandmother's spirit can return home one last time to say goodbye.
Grandpa's Stories
by Joseph Coelho

A 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.
Goldfish Ghost
by Lemony Snicket

The award-winning author of A Series of Unfortunate Events tales presents a whimsical take on what happens after a favorite goldfish passes away and becomes a ghost who floats around in search of a friend.
The Goodbye Book
by Todd Parr

This title shows readers the emotions they might feel after a loss, and that someone will always be there to support them.
The Heart and the Bottle
by Oliver Jeffers

The creator of The Incredible Book Eating Boy presents an uplifting tale that considers how a lonely young heart can decide to hide from or reach out to others who share the gifts of laughter, imagination and magic.
I Remember
by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

A simple explanation of the natural process of living, growing, and dying reassures youngsters facing the death of a beloved pet and the feelings that arise when this occurs.
Ida, Always
by Caron Levis

When 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.
Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute?: Explaining (Sudden) Death in Words Very Young Children Can Understand
by Elke Barber

Alex is only three when his father suddenly suffers a massive heart attack. All on his own, he manages to get help, but his beloved Daddy dies at the scene. Completely honest and written in Alex's own words, this book tells the story of how his mum helps him understand what happened.
Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children
by Bryan Mellonie

When the death of a relative, a friend, or a pet happens or is about to happen, how can we help a child to understand?
 
Lifetimes is a moving book for children of all ages, even parents too. It lets us explain life and death in a sensitive, caring, beautiful way. Lifetimes tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between. With large, wonderful illustrations, it tells about plants. About animals. About people. It tells that dying is as much a part of living as being born. It helps us to remember. It helps us to understand. 
The Memory Box: A Book About Grief
by Joanna Rowland

Grieving 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.
Missing Mommy: A Book About Bereavement
by Rebecca Cobb

Honest 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.
One Wave at a Time: A Story About Grief and Healing
by Holly Thompson

A boy dealing with the loss of his father describes the many waves of emotion that come with the grieving process: sad waves, mad waves, fear waves, even happy waves. As the boy and his family learn to adjust to life without Dad, the waves still come, but with help from friends, they learn to cope and heal.
The Pond
by Nicola Davies

A 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.
The Purple Balloon
by Christopher Raschka

As captured in the drawings of purple and blue balloons, an inspiring book deals with children who are coping with fatal illnesses and their own mortality through direct and sensitive language.
Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story About Coping with the Loss of a Parent
by Julie B. Kaplow

With the help of her neighbor Mrs. Cooper, Samantha Jane is able to talk about how sad she is since her father died, and then she begins to feel better.
Saturdays Are for Stella
by Candy Wellins

George 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.
Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler's Guide to Understanding Death
by Bonnie Zucker

A story to help two- and three-year-olds understand death and the feelings associated with the loss of a loved one includes information for parents and caregivers on answering questions and helping a child cope with grief.
A Story for Hippo: A Book About Loss
by Simon Puttock

When his best friend Hippo, who is the oldest and sagest animal in the jungle, dies, Monkey is devastated and wonders what he will do without his friend who always told him stories and laughed at his jokes, in a touching book that shows young readers how to cope with loss.
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
by Judith Viorst

In an attempt to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the ten best things about his dead cat.
What Happens When a Loved One Dies?: Our First Talk About Death
by Jillian Roberts

Whether 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. 
Where Do People Go When They Die?
by Mindy Avra Portnoy

Children ask different adults and themselves about death and receive a wide variety of answers. Includes an afterword and suggestions for parents.
Where Do They Go?
by Julia Alvarez
 
A beautifully crafted poem for children that gently addresses the emotional side of death. The book asks, "When somebody dies, where do they go? / Do they go where the wind goes when it blows?  Do they wink back at me when I wish on a star? Do they whisper, 'You're perfect, just as you are'?" A beautiful and comforting meditation on death, asking questions young readers might have about what happens to those they love after they die.
Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You
by Nancy Tillman

A heartfelt book describes the love parents feel for their children—no matter how near or far, young or old, they are. By the creator of the New York Times best-seller, On the Night You Were Born. 
The Yellow suitcase
by Meera Sriram

Asha 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.
You'll Find Me
by Amanda Rawson Hill

Illustrations and easy-to-read text highlight ways to find reminders of loved ones in everyday actions, even after they are gone.