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Fiction Books for Children to Read Alone or with Adults

DEATH OF A CHILD
(INCLUDING SIBLING OR FRIEND)

Nadia the Willful
Alexander, Sue
After Nadia’s older brother dies, she willfully talks about him to aid in her father’s recovery.
Ages 6-10
Pantheon Books, 1992

Timothy Duck
Blackburn, Lyan
Timothy Duck shares his feelings after his friend gets sick and dies.
Ages 5-8
Centering Corporation, 1987

I Had a Friend Named Peter
Cohn, Janice
Sensitively pictures the pain experienced by a child following a friend’s death, including fears and nightmares.  The parents affirm that sorrow and tears are OK. 
Ages 4-9
W. Morrow, 1987
ES, SH, SD

No New Baby
Gryte, Marilyn
A story for children whose mother miscarries.
Ages 3-10
Centering Corp., Revised 1999

Goodbye Rune
Kaldhol, Marit & Oyen, Wenche
Parents help a grieving child when her friend drowns.
Ages 5-12
Kane/Miller, 1987

No Name Listed
Kaldhol, Marit & Oyen, Wenche
A young boy grieves the loss of a friend. Powerful language and pictures.
Ages 6-9
Kane/Miller, 1987

Remember the Secret
Kubler-Ross, Elizabeth
This book describes the story of love and faith between two children as they deal with death.
Ages 5-10
Tricycle Press, 1998

The Frog Family’s Baby Dies
Oehler, J.
This is a coloring story book for young children to explore sibling loss.
Ages 3-6
Duke University Medical Center, 1978

Mick Harte Was Here
Park, Barbara
A sister faces the sorrow of losing her brother from a bicycle accident when he was not wearing his helmet.  Addresses guilt and proactive prevention.
Ages 7-13
Knopf, 1995
DT, ES, HD, SH, SD

Bridge to Terabithia
Paterson, Katherine
Shows the struggle faced by an eleven year old boy when his best friend dies.  Includes his denial, bargaining, guilt, eventual acceptance and reintegration.
Ages 7-13
Crowell, Newberry, 1978
DT,IT, SH, SD

DEATH OF AN ADULT (PARENT, RELATIVE, OR FRIEND)

The Memory String
Bunting, Eve
When Laura loses a bead from the necklace of memories that recalls her deceased mother, her stepmother Jane finds it.  Laura learns how others share her loss.
Ages 7-12
Clarion, 2000
DT, ES, HD, IT, SD, SH

A Chair Full of Heart
Cavin, Vicky
Daughter whose mother is dying of cancer relates strategies by which both meet her death with love.  A read-aloud book illustrated with three generations of women.
Ages 7-12
Hara, 1998

Everett Anderson’s Goodbye
Clifton, Lucille
Award-winning poetic story of how a young boy moves through all the stages of grieving, especially anger, when his father dies.  For any young child dealing with death.
Ages 3-8
Henry Holt, 1983

DAD!  Why’d You Leave Me?
Frost, Dorothy
10-year old Ronnie cannot understand why his father died.  Demonstrates questions children feel at loss.
Ages 8-12
Herald Press, 1992

Beyond the Bridge
Goble, Paul
Artfully portrays, with Native American images, a woman moving from this world to the next.
Ages 7-12
Bradbury Press, 1989
DT, ES, SH, SD

Through the Mickle Woods
Gregory, Alisha
Three stories shared between a widower and a child show moving from grief towards healing.
Ages 7-12
Little, Brown, 1992
SH, SD

Losing Uncle Tim
Jordan, Mary Kate
Tenderly shows the affection shared between an adult and child as the adult’s health declines from AIDS.
Ages 5-12
Albert Whitman, 1993

The Best Gift for Mom
Klein, Lee 
This story covers a boy’s feelings for his dad, who died when the boy was a baby.
Ages 7-12
Paulist Press, 1995

Daddy’s Chair
Lanton, Sandy
Poignant family encounter in grieving the loss of a father through dialogue with an inquisitive child and sensitive mother.  Compassionately illustrates Jewish Shiva week.
Ages 6-10
Kar-Ben Copies, Reprint 2001
DT, SH

Forever In My Heart
Levine, Jennifer
A sensitive story to help children be involved as a parent passes away.
Ages 6-10
Compassion Books, 1992

Emily’s Sadhappy Season
Lowden, Stephanie
Book portrays a young girl’s feelings following her father’s death.
Ages 5-10
Centering Corporation, 1993

Spike and Ben
Thaut, Pamela
The story of how a boy helps a friend following the death of his mom.
Ages 5-8
Health Communications, 1991

A Quilt for Elizabeth
Tiffault, Benette & McConnell, Mary
After her father dies, Elizabeth’s grandmother helps her understand and work through her feelings.  Good book to open dialogue with young children.
Ages 6 and up
Centering Corporation, 1992

GENERAL - (UNDERSTANDING LOSS)

Pablo Remembers
Ancona, George
This is a beautifully illustrated book depicting the Mexican festival of the Day of the Dead, celebrating loved ones’ lives each year.
Ages 6-12
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1993

Fall of Freddie the Leaf*
Buscaglia, Leo
Gives a visual picture of life cycles, including death
Ages 3-7
Holt, Rinehart, Winston, 1982
DT, SH, SD

The Secret Places
Campbell, J. A.
This is the story of Ryan’s journey through grief.  Gives an in-depth look at childhood grief for adults working with children.
Ages 6-12
Centering Corporation, 1992

Thumpy’s Story:  The Story of Grief and Loss Shared by Thumpy the Bunny
Dodge, N.
A great resource for children depicting the story of Thumpy’s sister who was not strong enough to continue living.
Ages 5-12
Prairie Lark Press

Children Also Grieve
Goldman, Linda
Story of young children and the death of their grandfather as told by two Tiberian terriers.  Has section for adults to help children.
Ages 3 & Up
Jessica Kingsley Publisher, 2005

The Next Place
Hanson, Warren
A comforting journey where earthly hurts are left behind, above all a celebration of life.
Preschool and Up
Waldman House Press, 1997

The Sky Goes On Forever
MacGregor, Molly
Ideal book to give any child who has lost someone close to them or has wondered about death.  It answers questions such as what are living and dying things, why does everyone die, and many more.
Ages 4-9
Daun Horse, 1988

Aarvy Aardvark Finds Hope
O’Toole, Donna
Story to help young children find hope after a loss.
Ages 4-9
Compassion Books, 1989

Brave Bart
Sheppard, Caroline
This is an appropriate story for children who have been traumatized and are grieving.
Ages 5-8
TLC, 1998

Badgers Parting Gifts
Varley, Susan
Story to help young children understand the gifts they still have.
Ages 4-9
Harper Trophy, 1992

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
Viorst, Judith
In affectionately recalling a dead pet, a child is renewed.
Ages 3-7
Aladdin, 1971

Charlotte’s Web
White, E. B.
The cycle of life and death are sensitively portrayed through the view of farm animals.
Ages 6-12
Harper and Row, 1967

DEATH OF A PET (Books dealing with the death of a pet can facilitate not only the encounter of the pet’s death, but that of any loved one.)

The Dead Bird
Brown, Margaret W.
Provides images of sorrow and innocence as children hold services for a dead bird.
Ages 3-8
Harper Trophy Ed, Reprint 2007

Goodbye Mousie
Harris, R.
This sensitive book shows the sadness of a boy after the death of his pet mouse and how the family joins to grieve and celebrate the mouse’s life.
Ages 4-7
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2001

Under the Blackberries
Park, Rachel
Pictures how a beloved pet is mourned and buried.
Ages 3-8
Scholastic, 1991
ES, HD. SH

Bonesy and Isabel
Rosen, Michael J.
A family surrounds a dying pet with love, and finds room to love of another pet.
Ages 3-9
Harcourt Brace, 1995
IT

Dog Heaven
Rylant, Cynthia
Colorfully depicts a joyful afterlife while acknowledging survivor’s pain.
Ages 4-7
Blue Sky, 1995
DT, ES, HD, IT, SH, SD

Badger’s Parting Gifts
Varley, Susan
Pictures a tunnel of death with gifts left by the departed pet.
Ages 4-9
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1984
IT, SH, SD

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
Viorst, Judith
Provides a positive model for remembering and grieving.  The child is renewed.
Ages 5-9
Atheneum, 1971
DT, IT, SH, SD

Back to Grieving Books Page
Nonfiction Books for Children & Families
Loss of a Grandparent
Intermediate and Junior High
Book for Teens
Suicide, Homicide, 9-11, & Other Trauma
Grieving Loss - Miscarriage or Perinatal
Death of a Partner
General
Professional
Workbooks Dealing with Death
Other Media