Children’s Books About Death and Loss

Suggested Books for Children About Death and Loss

When Dinosaurs Die, A Guide to Understanding Death  - Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown; 32 pages (ages 4-10)
When Dinosaurs Die 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.

The Two of Them  - Alik;, 32 pages (ages 4-8)
A tender story of a grandfather and his granddaughter sharing many happy memories until the grandfather’s illness and eventual death. The illustrations are moving as is the expression of the granddaughter’s grief. This was a Reading Rainbow Review Book.

After a Suicide, A Workbook for Grieving Kids  - The Dougy Center; 48 pages (ages 6-12)
This is an informational workbook for children who have experienced a loss from suicide. It explores many of the complicated issues of suicide such as what is suicide, why people die by suicide and how to talk to others about suicide.

Stacey Had A Little Sister  - Wendie C. Old; 32 pages (ages 4-8)
Stacy has mixed feelings about her new sister, Ashley, but when the baby dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Stacy is sad and misses her.

After the Funeral  - Jane Loretta Winsch; 31 pages (ages 4 -10)
After the Funeral discusses the various feelings accompanying the death of a loved one, including sadness, grief, and the fear of death itself.

The Day I Saw My Father Cry  - Bill Cosby; 40 pages (ages 6-10)
The Day I Saw My Father Cry describes the grief a father and his sons share after the death of a special friend.

Someone I Loved Died By Suicide  - Doreen Cammarata; 38 pages (ages 6-12)
Someone I Loved Died By Suicide is a story for child survivors and those who care for them.

Mending Peter’s Heart  - Maureen Wittbold; 32 pages (ages 4-10)
Peter’s beloved dog died and Peter is struggling to cope with his feelings. He gets a little help from an older gentleman who listens.

A Little Bit of Rob  - Barbara Turner; 32 pages (ages 4-8)
A Little Bit of Rob is the story of a young girl and her parents learning to cope with the death of Rob, the oldest child in the family.

Sunflowers & Rainbows for Tia, Saying Goodbye to Daddy  - Alesia Alexander-Greene; 24 pages (ages 6-10)
Sunflowers & Rainbows for Tia is about a young girl describing how she feels when her father dies and how she and her family express their sadness and their love for him.

“I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand…”  - Dr. Pat Palmer; 27 pages (ages 4-8)
“I Wish I could Hold Your Hand…” gently helps grieving children identify their feelings from denial and anger to guilt and sadness and learn to accept and deal with them.

Losing Uncle Tim  - MaryKate Jordan; 32 pages (ages 6-12)
Losing Uncle Tim Describes a child’s struggle to find reassurance and understanding after his uncle dies of AIDS.

Everett Anderson’s Goodbye  - Lucille Clifton;22 pages (ages 4-8)
Everett Anderson’s Goodbye describes a child’s struggle to come to terms with his grief after his father dies. A Reading Rainbow Book.

Sam’s Dad Died  - Margaret M. Holmes;12 pages (ages 4-8)
Sam’s Dad Died is a child’s book of hope through grief.

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney  - Judith Viorst; 25 pages (ages 4-8)
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney is a touching book of a young boy whose cat, Barney, has died and how he remembers the good things about Barney.

Molly’s Mom Died  - Margaret M. Holmes; 12 pages (ages 4-8)
Molly’s Mom Died is a child’s book of hope through grief.

What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies?  - Trevor Romain;72 pages (ages 6-12)
What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? describes the overwhelming emotions involved in dealing with the death of a loved one and discusses how to cope with such a situation.

If Nathan Were Here  - Mary Bahr;32 pages (ages 6-10)
If Nathan Were Here explores the grief of a young boy whose best friend has died.

The Accident  - Carol Carrick, (ages 5-10)
After his dog is hit by a truck and killed, Christopher must deal with his own feelings of depression and guilt.

When Someone Very Special Dies  - Marge Heegaard; 32 pages (ages 4-8)
This book was designed to teach basic concepts of death and help children understand and express the many feelings they have when someone special dies.

I Will Remember You; A Guidebook Through Grief for Teens  - Laura Dower; 208 pages.
Each chapter explores a different aspect of grief.

Dad’s in Prison  - Sandra Cain and Michael Speed; 25 pages (ages 6-12)
Mark and Simon are upset and confused when their Dad is sent to prison. This book follows Mark and Simon on their first visit to see their Dad and the additional methods of staying in contact.

Lee’s Place Grief and Loss Counseling Center
216 Lake Ella Drive
Tallahassee, 32303
850-841-7733