One of the best ways to help your child process their grief is to share stories and books by experts. Whether you’re introducing the concept to them for the first time, or trying to help them navigate ongoing grief, this reading list is specially curated for children of all ages. While there are many books on this subject, here is a diverse selection for you to share with your family.
Anticipating Grief
A Different Kind of Passoverby Linda Leopold-Strauss
When Jessica’s Grandpa is too sick to join the family seder, she and her family find creative ways to include him, reminding us that with love and imagination, we can adapt holiday traditions to include those who are ill or nearing the end of their lives.
Cinnamon Roll Sunday
by Jennifer Allen
Cinnamon Roll Sunday follows seven-year-old Noah as he navigates the challenges of his father’s serious illness, offering a tender and resilient exploration of anticipatory grief for children.
Ages 4-6
The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup
When Fox passes away, his forest friends gather to share cherished memories, and as they do, an orange tree grows in his honor, symbolizing how his kindness and love live on in their hearts—a gentle way to introduce themes of death, grief, and enduring love.
The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown
Margaret Wise Brown’s 1938 story The Dead Bird follows four children who find and bury a dead bird, providing a poignant exploration of loss, grief, and the beauty of caring for others—even those we barely know.
Ages 6-8
The Invisible String
by Geoff Stevenson
Written to address children’s fear of being apart from loved ones, The Invisible String delivers a compelling message in today’s uncertain times that though we may be separated from the ones we care for through anger, distance or even death, love is the connection that binds us all.
The Healing Book
by Ellen Sabin
This interactive book helps children and families express their feelings and explore memories of a loved one who has passed away. It serves as a versatile activity book and journal, fostering communication and creating a lasting scrapbook of memories during the grieving process.
Ages 8-12
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
This lyrical novella follows an old man grieving for his late wife and his deteriorating mind, as he teaches his grandson Noah how to say a perfect goodbye, reminding readers that those we mourn have also experienced grief and cherished memories.
The Empty Place: A Child’s Guide Through Grief
by Roberta Temes
When a nine-year-old boy’s beloved big sister dies, he is confused, angry and fearful. For the first time he must face the finality of death and the pain of loss. His parents, also grieving, seem distant, until a counselor teaches them all how to cope and heal.
Ages 12-14 The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
After her former best friend Franny dies in a drowning accident, 12-year-old Suzy, unable to accept the explanation, becomes obsessed with the idea that a jellyfish sting caused Franny’s death, leading her on a journey of scientific inquiry through the complicated emotions of personal grief.
When Death Walks In
by Mark Scrivani
When Death Walks in offers supportive information for facing grief during the teen years. In addition to providing important information about grief, it also helps adolescents learn what they can do about anger, sadness and all the emotions that come when death walks in.
Ages 15-17
Weird is Normal When Teenagers Grieve
by Jenny Lee Wheeler
Written by an actively grieving teen, Jenny Lee Wheeler helps normalize that there is no ‘right way’ for teenagers to grieve and validates that it is perfectly normal to experience the many feelings and emotions associated with grief differently than adults.
Help for the Hard Times, Getting Through Loss
by Earl Hipp
This illustrated guide that helps teens understand how they experience grief and loss, how our culture in general doesn’t often acknowledge their losses or give them tools to grieve, and how they can keep their loss from overflowing.
Reach Out if You Need More Resources
Children process grief differently at each stage of life. While this journey is never easy, we hope this list of thoughtfully curated books serves as a helpful resource for parents seeking to support their children through the grieving process. If you still need help or more resources, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information.
