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LOSS OF A GRANDPARENT (Fiction/Nonfiction)

The Two of Them
Aliki
Relationship of child with grandparents, Illustrated
Ages 3-9
Mulberry Books, 1987

Behind the Mask
Choi, Yangsook
Korean and American folk traditions thread together a story about a boy who finds a link to his grandfather behind a Korean mask made by him.
Ages 4-10
Frances Foster Books/FSG, 2006

Where is Grandpa?
Barron, T. A.
A young boy, in dialogue with his father, discovers how to deal with loss through healing memories.
Ages 5-9
Philomel, 2000

Grandpa
Burningham, John
Joyous images of moments shared with grandfather, with an empty chair at the end.
Ages 4-7
Crown, 1984
HD, SH, SD

When Grandpa Came to Stay
Casely, Judith
A grandson helps his grandfather grieve the loss of his grandmother, with memories and tears.
Ages 3-7
Greenwillow, 1986
SH

The Remembering Box
Clifford, Eth
Gently depicts the demise of a grandmother up to the moment of death, with cherished memories left behind.
Ages 5-9
Houghton Mifflin, Reprint 1992

Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs
de Paola, Tomie
Lovingly shows the care given an aging grandmother by her family, including children, before she dies.  Depicts traditions and memories.
Ages 3-8
Putman, Revised 2000

Grandpa Died Today
Fassler, Joan
Young boy deals with the death of his grandfather and finds courage with his help.
Ages 4-7
Human Science Press, 1983

Traveling Backward
Forward, Toby
Humorous journey of a grandfather back to childhood due to his grandson’s unwillingness to see him die.  Both eventually see the appropriateness of death.
Ages 7-11
Dutton, 1994
DT, ES, HD, IT, SH, SD

Remember the Butterflies
Hines, Anna G.
Shows how a grandfather has taught a reverence for life which lasts beyond his death.  Garden Setting.
Ages 4-8
Dutton, 1991
DT, ES, SH, SD

Gran-Gran’s Best Trick
Holden, L. Dwight
This book deals with cancer, treatment, and death of a grandparent.
Ages 6-12
Magination Press, 1989

When a Grandparent Dies
Liss-Levinson, Nechama
This child’s memory book deals with Shiva and the following years.
Ages 8-12
Jewish Lights Publishing, 1995

The Memory Box
McLaughlin, K.
This delightful story tells the transformation of a grandson grieving his grandfather by turning his fishing box into a memory box.
Ages 4-9
The Centering Corporation, 2001

Annie and the Older One
Miles, Mishka
A Native American granddaughter faces the naturalness of the approach of her grandmother’s death, with her grandmother’s and mother’s help.
Ages 6-10
Little, Brown, 1971
DT, HD, SH, SD

Bubby, Me, and Memories
Pomerantz, Barbara
After his grandmother dies, child is helped and questions answered.  It is a good resource for Jewish customs.
Ages 4-8
Union of American Hebrew Congregation, 1983

Sophie
Robinson, Aminah & Fox, Mem
Sophie feels alone following her grandfather’s death.
Ages 3-7
Harcourt Brace, 1997

Saying Goodbye to Grandma
Thomas, Jane Resh
Illustrates the events faced by a family when a loved one dies, from a child’s point of view, with dialogue regarding wishes, doubts, fears.
Ages 6-10
Clarion, 1990

Grandpa’s Chair
Thornton, Terence
Covers a boy’s last visit to his grandfather, their love for each other, and his death.
Ages 4-8
Mulnomah Press, 1988

Grandad Bill’s Song
Yolen, Jane
A young boy finds his own feelings after family and friends talk about memories.
Ages 4-9
PaperStar, 1998

My Grandson Lew
Zolotow, Charlotte
Shows the valuable communication between the living and dying that a child remembers years after the occurrence of death.
Ages 4-8
Harper & Rowe, 1974
ES, DT, IT, SD

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Intermediate and Junior High
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Suicide, Homicide, 9-11, & Other Trauma
Grieving Loss - Miscarriage or Perinatal
Death of a Partner
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