Grief and Loss: Children and Teens

Browse through book suggestions and additional resources for children and teens who are grieving.

Books for Children

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

(Ages: All)

This book is specifically written to address children's fear of being apart from the ones they love. The story delivers a particularly compelling message, that though we may be separated from the ones we care for, whether through anger, or distance or even death, love is the unending connection that binds us all.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia

(Ages: All)

This thought-provoking story follows Freddie and his companions as their leaves change with the passing seasons and the coming of winter, finally falling to the ground with winter's snow. This story helps readers navigate death and dying, grief andbereavement, the passage of time, and loss of a loved one.

Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler’s Guide to Understanding Death by Bonnie Zucker

(Ages: 2-3)

This book is intended to be read to two and three-year-old children to help them understand death and process the loss of a loved one.

I Miss You: A first look at Death by Pat Thomas

(Ages: 3-7)

When a close friend or family member dies, it can be sad for kids and difficult for them to express the big feelings they are experiencing. This book will help explain in a gentle way that death is a natural complement to life and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings to have following the death of a loved one.

Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Valley

(Ages 4-8)

This is the story of old Badger, who is kind, thoughtful, wise and is not afraid of dying. His only concern is how his friends will feel when he is gone. A book to help prepare children for the death of someone they love, especially an older person.

Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen

(Ages: 4-8)

This sensitive book is a useful tool in explaining to children that death is a part of life and that, eventually, all living things reach the end of their own special lifetimes.

Help me Say Goodbye by Janis Silverman

(Ages: 4-10)

An art therapy and activity book for children coping with death. Sensitive exercises address all the questions children may have during this emotional and troubling crisis. Children are encouraged to express in pictures what they are often incapable of expressing in words.

When Someone Dies: A Children’s Mindful How-To Guide on Grief and Loss by Andrea Dorn

(Ages: 4-10)

This book walks children through the bereavement process in a simple, concrete, and developmentally appropriate way. Through the lens of mindfulness, children will learn how to say goodbye, make space for any emotions that arise, and work through their grief.

The Memory Box: A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland

(Ages: 4-12)

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. The Memory Box will help children and adults talk about this very difficult topic together.

Water Bugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney

(Ages: 4-12)

This book uses the analogy of the waterbugs' short life under water as human's time on earth and their emergence as dragonflies into the bright sunlit world above the water as human's life after death.

Thank You, Grandpa by Lynn Plourde

(Ages 5-8)

This glowing picture book, by turns playful and poignant, portrays the tender relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter as they appreciate nature together over the years. One day the girl walks alone, stronger because she learned from her grandfather how to be grateful for life's fleeting gifts.

When Dinosaurs Die, A Guide to Understanding Death by Laurie Brown & Marc Brown

(Ages: 5-8)

A comprehensive, sensitive guide for families dealing with the loss of loved ones, When Dinosaurs Die helps readers understand what death means, and how to best cope with their feelings. Unlike many books on death for little ones, this one doesn’t tell a story. Instead, it addresses children’s fears and curiosity head-on, and in a largely secular fashion, by answering some very basic questions: “Why does someone die?” “What does dead mean?” “What comes after death?”

The Next Place by Warren Hanson

(Ages: 5-12)

The Next Place is a colorful and beautifully illustrated poem that plainly talks about theplace where people may move to after an earthly existence.

When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief by Marge Heegaard

(Ages 6-12)

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. Communication is increased and coping skills are developed as they illustrate their books with their personal story.

Tear Soup by Pat Schwiebert

(Ages: 8-12)

This is a family story book that centers around an old and somewhat wise woman, Grandy. Grandy has just suffered a big loss in her life and so she is headed to the kitchen to make a special batch of Tear Soup. To season her soup Grandy adds memories like the good times and the bad times, the silly and the sad times. She does not want to forget even one precious memory of her loss.

Books For Teens

Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love by Earl A. Grollman

With brief entries, Grollman offers advice and answers the kinds of questions that teens are likely to ask themselves when grieving the death of someone close.

The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends by Helen Fitzgerald

Although the circumstances surrounding a death are difficult to handle at any age, adolescence brings with it challenges and struggles that until now have been largely overlooked. This book guides teens through everything from the sickbed to the funeral, from the first day back at school to the first anniversary of the death. Above all, she lets teens know that even in their darkest hour, they are not alone.

My Parent Has Cancer and it Really Sucks: Real-Life Advice from Real Teens by Maya Silver and Marc Silver

One million American teenagers live with a parent who is fighting cancer. This book provides real-life advice from real-life teens designed to help teens live with a parent who is fighting cancer.

Additional Resources

Dougy Center

The Dougy Center is in Oregon, but their website and podcast Grief Out Loud is full of helpful information for grieving children.

The Children's Room

Located in Arlington MA, The Children’s Room offers grief support services for children and families, schools, and community organizations. Services include peer support groups, parent groups, teen programs, and Family Night. Consultations and referrals are also provided. Additionally, there are ample resources available on their website.