Top Children's Books to Help Kids Understand Death, Grief and Loss
There are many beautiful and poignant children’s books that thoughtfully address difficult topics such as serious illness, bereavement, and the loss of a parent, sibling, friend, or pet. These stories provide comfort and understanding, helping children navigate feelings of grief and loss with sensitivity and hope.
Here are eleven books I have recommended to clients that gently explore the emotions children experience when they lose someone significant, offering both reassurance and a sense of hope for healing.
1. Grace and Mr Milligan by Caz Goodwin
Grace lives next door to old Mr Milligan and his goat Charlie. They are the best of friends. But when Mr Milligan’ s beloved goat dies, everything changes. Will Grace be able to help her friend overcome his sadness? Grace and Mr Milligan is a heart-warming story of grief, love and the healing power of friendship.
2. The Tiny Star by Mem Fox & Freya Blackwood
A story about a star falling to Earth, turning into a baby, living a loving fulfilling life, dying, than returning to the heavens as a star. It beautifully tackles death, grief and loss associated with the passing of a beloved family member.
3. The Memory Box: A Book about Grief by Joanna Rowland, illustrated by Thea Baker
A beautiful book to help navigate the emotions of loss. "I'm scared I'll forget you”. Told from the perspective of a young child, this beautiful story 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.
4. The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup
A beautiful and heartfelt picture book to help children celebrate the memories left behind when a loved one dies.
5. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethhoff
This well-known story offers children a tangible understanding of love and teaches the world about the String that “even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it in your heart and know that you are always connected to everyone you love.” – even when they are no longer with us.
6. The Fix-It Man by Dimity Powell, illustrated by Nicky Johnson
In this poignant and honest story, written in the words of a young girl, Dad is the ultimate ‘Fix-It Man’, with amazing abilities to mend broken things. But what does it feel like when your Mama is so sick that she can’t be ‘fixed’?
7. The Garden of Hope by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Katie Rewse
This book sensitively focuses on the loss of a parent and how Maya, her dad and Pip the dog get through those harder days. When the sadness and anxiety is getting too much, Dad tells Maya how her mum used the garden to shine a little light when her happiness was lost. “…Your mum knew that by the time the seeds had grown, these worries would have faded away. She called them her seeds of hope.” So Maya starts planting small little seeds and watching them grow into ‘…something new and beautiful.’ From the new bountiful garden come other things that give Maya hope; birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, and ladybirds. The garden encapsulated the grief and carried Mayas worries away.
8. Missing Mummy by Rebecca Cobb
Honest and straightforward, this touching story explores the many emotions a bereaved child may experience, from anger and guilt to sadness and bewilderment. Ultimately, Missing Mommy focuses on the positive--the recognition that the child is not alone but still part of a family that loves and supports him.
9. The River by Tom Percival
This story focuses on Rowan who loves exploring the countryside with his dog. The river that flows through the story provides a metaphor for Rowan’s ever-changing emotions: it is sometimes quiet and calm, sometimes light and playful, and at other times wild and angry, just like Rowan. Then one particularly cruel winter, Rowan’s beloved dog dies, and he descends into a deep and inescapable sadness. The love and support of his parents and the warm spring and summer sunshine fail to melt the ice, and it’s not until the autumn, and the arrival of an injured bird to care for, that Rowan’s heart begins to thaw and heal. As the bird recovers and is able to fly freely, once again the river flows and Rowan realises how much his emotions are like the river: constantly changing.
- When I'm Gone by Marguerite McLaren and Hayley Wells
When someone you love has died there will be sad days and angry days but also happy days and fun days. Nobody lives forever and some wish they could have stayed for longer. This sensitively-written and deeply-moving picture book will help children grieve, celebrate and learn how to live and love life when a parent is gone. Includes expert advice from the charity, Child Bereavement UK.
- I Can't Believe They're Gone: A kid's grief book that hugs, helps, and gives hope by Karen Brough, illustrated by, Hiruni Kariyawasam
Join the mouse family on an emotional journey as Bear, their empathetic companion, helps them navigate the complexities of grief and its unique expressions. mThis beautifully written picture storybook helps children discover the stages of grief, common feelings, and meaningful ways to honour the memory of their loved ones. With tender storytelling, this picture book reminds us that emotions aren't good or bad, right or wrong; they just are and that healing and hope are possible.
As always, take the time to read through a book before sharing it with a child to ensure it is appropriate and relevant to their unique circumstances and family situation.
Have you come across any children’s books that you would recommend? I would love to hear your suggestions!