16 Powerful Books To Help Kids Cope With Grief And Loss
Losing someone special is one of the hardest things a child can face, and feelings of grief can be confusing, lonely, and heavy for kids.
It can be hard to know what to say and do to support kids who are in this situation. From explaining death to helping kids express their emotions, these 16 books make the tough topic of grief and loss easier to navigate.
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something very sad happened by bonnie zucker
Recommended Grades: Pre-K to K
In this story, a little boy is coping with the death of his grandma. The book explains what death is, how it changes things, and what still stays the same - love.
the goodbye book by todd parr
Recommended Grades: Pre-K to 1
This book explains what the experience might be like when you have to say goodbye. It talks about how you might feel and what you might want to do (or not do). Then, it moves into the joy that can come from remembering special memories and moving forward with courage.
I miss you: A first look at death by pat thomas
Recommended Grades: Pre-K to 2
This book explains death in a way that young readers will understand. It explains what death is, and the ways that it can affect us. This book is a great resource for friends/family of someone experiencing the loss of a loved one, to help better understand what that person is going through.
the heart and the bottle by oliver jeffers
Recommended Grades: K to 2
After the death of her grandfather, the girl in this book decides to bottle up her heart to keep it safe. Eventually, she realizes that she needs to get her heart back out. With the help of a younger child, she is able to return her heart back to where it belongs. This is a great book about not holding in your feelings.
feeling all my grief by kim t.s.
Recommended Grades: K to 2
This book explains the grief that comes after the death of a loved one. It does a great job at showing how we all grieve differently, and that the feelings we have and the ways that we react to what’s happening are okay. It ends with hope that the grief will become less consuming and that it’s possible to move forward while holding on to memories and love.
always remember by cece meng
Recommended Grades: K to 3
After Old Turtle dies, the other sea creatures reflect on their memories of him, and realize that he will always be remembered. A great reminder that even if a loved one has died, his or her memory lives on!
the memory box: a book about grief by joanna rowland
Recommended Grades: K to 3
The main character in this book reflects honestly on the loss of a loved one and moving on without them. This is a great book that children will easily identify with as they face a new normal.
you’ll find me by amanda r. hill
Recommended Grades: K to 3
The narrator of this book shares that even though they won’t always be there, their love and care will still be present through everyday moments. This is a great book for supporting kids who may be facing the death of a loved one in the near future.
a stopwatch from grampa by loretta garbutt
Recommended Grades: K to 3
In this story, the child’s grampa dies and gives them a stopwatch. The grief makes it hard for the child to do anything fun, including using the stopwatch. One day, the child decides to embrace the stopwatch and what it represents and begins to find joy in remembering their grampa.
ida, always by caron levis
Recommended Grades: K to 4
Gus’s best friend Ida becomes very sick, and eventually dies. This tender book takes readers through Gus’s journey as his best friend experiences sickness and death. Although Gus is sad, he remembers that Ida will always be with him.
badger’s parting gifts by susan varley
Recommended Grades: K to 5
Badger was getting old, and he knew his time on Earth was growing short. After he died, his friends were very sad and missed his care and comfort. When they got back together after the winter, Badger’s friends shared the many memories they had of Badger and the great things he taught them. Eventually, their sadness began to fade as it was replaced by joy for all of the gifts and memories Badger had given them.
everywhere, still by m.h. clark
Recommended Grades: 1 to 3
In this book, the little girl shares her feelings of grief after a loved one is gone. Even though she is hurting, she knows that there is so much that is still the same - like her thoughts and memories of the loved one and the love that keeps them connected.
the memory tree by britta teckentrup
Recommended Grades: 1 to 3
When fox dies, all the animals in the forest come to say goodbye and share all of the great memories they’ve had with him. As they spoke, a tree began to grow in the exact spot where fox had died. The tree grew to be a big tree that supported the animals in the forest just like fox did.
life is like the wind by shona innes and irisz agocs
Recommended Grades: 1 to 3
This book helps readers understand life (and death) by comparing it to the wind. It gives a variety of comforting possibilities about what happens after death and how we can manage the sadness that comes when someone around us dies.
the abc’s of grief by jessica correnti
Recommended Grades: 1 to 4
This book offers a great explanation of grief and the topics surrounding it. For each letter of the alphabet, kids will explore some of the details of what grief entails and how they may experience it.
what does grief feel like? by korie leigh
Recommended Grades: 2 to 5
Someone who was special to the child in this book died. The child shares what this experience has been like, and asks questions to the reader that will encourage them to reflect on their experience as well. Although the child in the story is experiencing grief because of the death of a loved one, they also explain that there can be other reasons for grief as well. This book is perfect for opening up conversation in a gentle and relatable way.
Whether you’re a counselor, teacher, or parent, these 16 picture books will help you support kids as they work through their experiences with grief and loss.
