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After You Lose Someone You Love (father)
Author: Amy, Allie & David Dennison
Three kids, ages 8(twins) and 4, tell what it was like when their dad died and give practical advice for overcoming loss and moving on with life. Ages 9-12
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Always My Brother (brother)
Author: Jean Reagan
Becky and her brother were best buddies. After he dies, Becky is devastated and gives up many of the things she loved doing. Finally, as she begins to adjust to her life without him, she realizes that her brother would want her to be happy in spite of his absence. Ages 8-12
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And What Comes After a Thousand (friend)
Author: Anette Bley
When her elderly friend dies, a little girl comes to understand that memories live beyond death. Ages 5-8
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Annie and the Old One (grandmother)
Author: Miska Miles
A Navajo girl secretly unravels a day’s weaving on a rug whose completion, she believes, will mean the death of her grandmother. When the grandmother explains her beliefs to her granddaughter, Annie understands that nature must take its course. Ages 5-8
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Berenstain Bears Lose a Friend (gold fish)
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Sister Bear loves taking care of her pet goldfish, Goldie, the best goldfish in the world. Mama & Papa find Goldie floating belly-up and worry how to tell Sister. Ages 5-9
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Bone Dog (dog)
Author: Eric Rohmann
Although devastated when his pet dog dies, a young boy goes trick-or-treating and receives a timely visit from an old friend during a scary encounter with graveyard skeletons.
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Cat Heaven (cat)
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Visit Cat Heaven, a place where cats have an eternal supply of catnip, tuna, and warm laps. Ages 5-9
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City Dog, Country Frog (frog friend)
Author: Mo Willems
City Dog begins a friendship in the country with an unusual companion for a canine: a frog. When he returns the next year, though, Country Frog is no longer there. Although City Dog finds a new buddy, a chipmunk this time, he never forgets his time with his first country friend. Ages 5-8
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Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye (cat)
Author: Jane Yolen
A cat whose kitten days are far behind her says goodbye to her human family, and the animals and places that have made her life special, before leaving this life behind. Ages 5-8
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Death (overview)
Author: Patricia Murphy
A good introduction to understanding death and the grieving process. All ages.
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Death and Dying
Author: Bruce Sanders
Examines what happens when people die and how to deal with the pain. Ages 6 – 11
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Death in a Nut (mother)
Author: Eric Maddern
In this retelling of a Scottish folktale, a young man tricks Death into getting trapped in a nut. At first, Jack thinks only of having saved his ailing mother’s life. But when the eggs cannot be cracked and the farm animals cannot be eaten, Jack realizes that dying is a necessary part of life. All ages.
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Each Little Bird That Sings (uncle)
Author: Deborah Wiles
Comfort Snowberger is well acquainted with death since her family runs the funeral parlor in their small southern town, but even so the ten-year-old is unprepared for the series of heart-wrenching events that begins with the sudden death of her beloved great-uncle, Edisto. Ages 9-12
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Forever Dog (dog)
Author: Bill Cochran
Mike and his dog Corky plan to be best friends forever, so when Corky becomes sick and dies, Mike is angry about the broken promise. Ages 5-9
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Getting Near to Baby (baby)
Author: Audrey Couloumbis
Although thirteen-year-old Willa Jo and her Aunt Patty seem to be constantly at odds, staying with her and Uncle Hob helps Willa Jo and her younger sister come to terms with the death of their family's and her younger sister come to terms with the death of their family's baby. Ages 9-12
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Good-Bye Jeepers; What to Expect When Your Pet Dies (guinea pig)
Author: Nancy Loewen
When his pet guinea pig, Jeepers, dies, a boy's parents help him deal with the confusing emotions he feels and show him how to cope with the tough times. Ages 5-9
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Good-bye, Sheepie (dog)
Author: Robert Burleigh
A young boy learns about death and remembering a pet and his father teaches his young son about death and remembrance as he buries their beloved dog. Ages 4-8.
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Grandma’s Gloves (grandmother)
Author: Cecil Castellucci
When a young girl’s Grandma suffers from Alzheimer’s and cannot remember her family members’ names, the older woman is still able to tend her plants. After Grandma passes away, the girl honors her legacy by continuing to garden with Grandma’s gloves. Ages 5-8
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Harry & Hopper (dog)
Author: Margaret Wild
One day Harry comes home from school but his faithful companion Hopper isn't there to greet him. A touching story about the process of healing after losing a beloved pet. Ages 2-5
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I Remember (dog)
Author: Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
Helps children deal with grief by showing how a young boy explores his feelings about loss and sadness after the death of his pet. Includes notes for discussion for parents. Ages 5-9
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Kate, the Ghost Dog (dog)
Author: Wayne L. Wilson
Aleta’s family and friends help her understand that she can have happy memories of her dog. A list of methods for coping with the death of a pet is included at the end of the book. Ages 5-8
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Kindred Souls (grandfather)
Author: Patricia MacLachlan
Jake’s grandfather, Billy is eighty-eight years old, and is going to live forever. Even when Billy gets sick, Jake knows that everything will go on as always. But there’s one thing Billy wants; to rebuild the sod house where he grew up. Can Jake give him this one special thing? Ages 7-10
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Mimi (mother)
Author: John Newman
Mimi is determined not to give up on anyone or anything. But since Mammy died, her father never smiles, her sister Sally is in a bad mood, brother Conor keeps to himself, and even Sparkler the dog does not want to go for walks. Ages 9-12
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Missing May
Author: Cynthia Rylant
4. 10 year old Summer lives with her Uncle Ob, a man heartbroken by the death of his wife May. Summer and Uncle Ob, along with the help of a school friend of Summers’ named Cletus, discover what it takes to come to terms with the loss of a loved one and what it takes to find the desire to live life to the fullest.
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Mockingbird (brother)
Author: Kathryn Erskine
Although she has trouble empathizing due to Asperger’s syndrome, Caitlin’s brother Devon has always helped her process the world around her in a way that makes sense. Now that he has been killed, how will she deal with the emotions surrounding his unexpected death? Ages 9-12
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My Grandma Died (grandmother)
Author: Lory Britain
A young girl talks about the emotions felt after her grandmother dies. Includes a list of "Things I can do when someone I love dies." Ages 5-8
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Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs (great-grandparent)
Author: Tomie DePaola
Four-year-old Tommy enjoys his relationship with his grandmother and great-grandmother, but eventually learns to face their inevitable death. Ages 5-8
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No dogs allowed! (horse)
Author: Bill Wallace
Twelve-year-old Kristina, still struggling to come to terms with the death of her beloved horse, finds it difficult to accept the new dog she receives for her birthday. Ages 8-12
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Our Tree Named Steve (tree)
Author: Alan Zweibel
In a letter to his children, a father recounts memories of the role Steve, the tree in their front yard, has played in their lives. Ages 5-8
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Pearl Verses the World (grandmother)
Author: Sally Murphy
Pearl feels like an island in school, isolated and alone, but at home she feels loved and secure until her grandmother's illness changes the way Pearl views her world. Ages 8-12
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Remembering Mrs. Rossi (mother & teacher)
Author: Amy Hest
Annie Rossi’s mom was a teacher. For most of the novel, we get Annie’s perspective on how her mother’s death has affected her and her father. At the end of the book, however, we hear from some of Mrs. Rossi’s former students, showing the impact that Mrs. Rossi made with her life as an educator. Ages 9-12
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Remembering Pets: a Book for Children..(overview)
Author: Gina Dalpra-Berman
A little girl has fond memories of her pet bird and invites the reader to remember their fond memories of their pets too. Ages 5-9
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Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (child)
Author: Eleanor Coerr
Twelve-year-old Sadako Sasaki was a hibakusha, a survivor of the atom bombings at Hiroshima. When Sadako was later diagnosed with a cancer caused by those bombings, she knew that she had only a short time to live. During that time, she started an origami movement for peace, showing that a young person can face her own death with grace and a sense of greater purpose. Ages 8-12
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Saying Goodbye to Lulu (dog)
Author: Corinne Demas
Although he is a very tough pirate, Boris von der Borch cries when his parrot dies. Ages 5-9
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Saying Good-bye to Uncle Joe: What to Expect When Someone You Love Dies
Author: Nancy Loewen
A boy feels sad and scared when his Uncle Joe dies and struggles to deal with the difficult emotions he feels. Ages 5-8
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Scar (mother)
Author: Charlotte Moundlic
When his mother dies, a little boy is angry at his loss but does everything he can to hold onto the memory of her scent, her voice, and the special things she did for him. Ages 3-8
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Still My Grandma (grandmother)
Author: Veronique Van den Abeele
A young girl describes her relationship with her grandmother, both before and after she contracts Alzheimer's disease. Ages 5-8
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Taste of Blackberries (friend)
Author: Doris Smith
A boy recounts his efforts to adjust to the accidental death of his friend. Ages 9-12
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Tenth good thing about Barney (cat)
Author: Judith Viorst
In an attempt to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the ten best things about his dead cat. Ages 5-9
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Umbrella Summer (brother)
Author: Lisa Graff
After her brother dies, Annie becomes an extremely careful person in an attempt to stave off future misfortunes. Her quirky behavior persists until a neighbor shows her that there are ways to cope that do not involve overly cautious behavior. Ages 9-12
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When a pet dies (overview)
Author: Fred Rogers
This book explores the feelings of frustration, sadness, and loneliness that a child may feel when a pet dies. Ages 5-8
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When Dinosaurs Die: a Guide to Understanding Death (overview)
Author: Lauren Brown
Explains in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died. Ages 5-8
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When People Die (overview)
Author: Sarah Levete
A simple guide to understanding death, the reasons for it, and the emotions surrounding it, this book concludes with a section of more resources for grieving children. Ages 5-8
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Where Do People Go When They Die? (overview)
Author: Mindy Portnoy
Children ask different adults and themselves questions about dying and receive a variety of answers. Ages 5-8
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