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NONFICTION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES

LOSS OF PARENT

How to Survive the Loss of a Parent
Akner, Lois
A guide for adults who are grieving the loss of a parent.
Adults
Wm. Morrow, 1993
SH

Everything You Need to Know When a Parent Dies
Bratman, Fred
Written to help children face the problems of grieving over a myriad of circumstances—accident, illness, etc.  Includes children’s diaries, dialogues, stories, and photos, encouraging discussion.
Ages 6-11
Rosen, 1992
DT

Rachel and the Upside Down Heart
Douglas, Eileen
True story of four-year old Rachel and the effects of her father’s death.
Ages 5-9
Price Stern Sloan, 1990

Motherless Daughters
Edelman, Hope
Answers the question, “How does the death of a mother affect a daughter’s childhood.”  Expert opinions from psychologists, psychoanalysts, and experts in grieving.
Adults and teens
Decapo Press, 2006

Finding Your Way after Your Parent Dies
Gilbert, D.
Provides inspiration and hope for adults after a parent dies.
Adults
Ave Maria Press, 1999

Transitions Along the Way
Jonah, Stephanie
A guide for children and young adults explaining the dying process.
Ages 8 and Up
Visions, 1999

Losing A Parent
Kennedy, Alexandra
Author shares her own story of facing the loss of a parent and offers innovative strategies for healing and transformation.
Adults and Teens
Harper San Francisco, 1991

How It Feels When a Parent Dies
Krementz, Jill
Eighteen sensitive yet honest dialogues with children 7-16 who have lost a parent.  Photographs promote adult-child dialogue.  Classic.
Ages 7-Adult
Knopf, 1981
HD, SH

Learning to Say Goodbye: When a Parent Dies
Leshan, Eda
Provides a sequence of concepts facilitating grieving, including stories of how children’s needs can be better met.  Promotes growth.
Ages 8-Adult
Macmillan, 1976
IT, SH

Losing a Parent*
Marshall, Fiona
A guide to grieving the loss of a parent for grown offspring.
Adults
Fisher, 1993

My Mom is Dying
McNamara, Jill
A young girl’s diary after learning her mom is dying.  Contains discussion sections for parents.
Ages 5-9
Augsburg Fortress, 1994

When Parents Die
Myers, Edward
Compassionate advice on coping with the death of a parent.  Topics range from psychological responses, such as shock, depression, and guilt, to practical consequences,
Adults and Teens
Penguin, 1997

Never the Same:  Coming to Terms with the Death of a Parent
Schuurman, D.
Iinsight for those who have lost a parent as a child.
Adults
St. Martin’s Press, 2003

A Music I No Longer Heard
Simon, Leslie & Johnson, Jan
Survivors describe their experiences in the loss of a parent.
Teens & Adults
Simon & Shuster, 1998

On Grieving the Death of a Father
Smith, H. I.
This resource gives comfort and hope, addressing special needs when a father dies.
Adults & Late Teens
Augsburg, 1994

A Necessary End
Taylor, Nick
Taylor’s outlook towards his aging parents undergoes a transformation from  obligation to love, expanding his understanding of his own life and mortality.
Adults
Backinprint.com, 2000

Saying Goodbye to Daddy
Vigna, Judith
A sensitive story of the healing that comes to a child following her dad’s death.
Ages 5-8
Albert Whitman and Company, 1991

Fatherloss
Wakeman
How a son can prepare for the death of a father, coping immediately after a loss, women’s role in helping, and the different way men grieve are topics covered.
Adults
Hyperion, 2001

Refuge
Williams, Terry Tempest
Records simultaneous tragedies, a mother’s death from cancer and flooding of a bird sanctuary.  Documents renewal and spiritual grace.
Adults
Vintage, 1992

LOSS OF A CHILD

When the Bough Breaks
Bernstein, Judith, Ph.D.
Describes the overwhelming journey for bereaved parents.
Adults
Andrews McMeel Publishing, 1998

The Private Worlds of Dying Children
Bluebone-Langner, Myra
Descriptions of children when dying and the difficulties of their families.
Adults
Princeton Press, 1980

When Good-bye is Forever
Bramblett, John
Ideas on learning to live again after the loss of a child by a bereaved father.
Adults
Ballantine Books, 1991

In the Wake of Death*
Cosman, Mark
Deals with surviving the loss of a child who was murdered.
Adults
Moyer Bell, 1996

Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby
Davis, Deborah L.
Helpful suggestions in dealing with death of a baby.
Adults
Fulcrum, 1996

Too Young to be Angels
Delorbe, Shirley
Inspirational self-help guide shares how one mother maintained her stability and sanity when tested multiple times by grief and depression after the separate deaths of 3 of her 4 children.
Adult
iUniverse, 2007

Riding with the Blue Moth
Hancock, Bill
After his son died in a plane crash, a father gives an account of riding across the country on his bicycle in memory of his son.
Adults
Sports Publishing, 2006

Roses in December: Finding Strength Within Grief
Heavilin, Marily Wallett
This book discusses the sorrow after the sudden loss of a child from a drunk driver and the journey of the healing process, in addition to losing two other children.
Adults
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993

Beyond Endurance
Knapp, Ronald
When a child dies. Steps to healing.
Adults
Green Light/Choice Communications (ISBN 1418476220), 2005

On Children and Death*
Kubler-Ross, Elizabeth
Discussions for help and hope needed to survive dying or the death of a child.
Adults
Collier/Macmillan, 1983

Only Spring: On Mourning the Death of My Son
Livingston, M.D., Gordon
A father’s story of a child’s gift of love, covering Lucas’ illness and death.
Adults
Marlowe, 2005

Star Child
Martin, Jennifer J.
A mother’s journey through grief.
Adults
iUniverse, 2006

Beyond Tears: Living after Losing a Child
Mitchell, Ellen
Poignant dialogues with parents who have lost children through various circumstances.
Adults
St. Martin’s Press, 2005
DT, ES, HD, IT, SD, SH

The Lively Shadow:  Living with the Death of a Child
Murray, Donald
Parents mourning the loss of a child dueto illness.
Adults
Ballantine, 2003
SH

The Worst Loss
Rosof, Barbara D.
Ideas are given on healing after the death of a child.
Families
Owl/Holt, 1994

How to Survive the Loss of a Child
Sanders, Catherine
A guide to rebuilding life and filling the devastating emptiness after a death.
Adults
Prima Publishing/RH, 1998

Bereaved Parent
Schiff, Harriet Sarnoff
Sensitive information for grieving parents that is reassures and consoles.
Adults, Parents
Penguin, 1978

Lament for a Son
Wolterstorff, Nicholas
Explores the feelings of bereaved parents from accidental death.
Adults
Erdmans Press, 1987

GENERAL LOSS INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBER, SIBLING, OR FRIEND

What is Death?
Boritzer, E.
Through the presentation on various cultures and religions the book introduces concepts of death.
Ages 7-13
Veronica Lane Books, 2000

Annie Stories
Brett, D.
This is a series of stories that can be read to children under 10 who are dealing with many different issues, including death and divorce.  The author gives advice on how to use the stories.
Adults working with children
10 and under
Workman Publishing, 1986

When Dinosaurs Die
Brown, L., & Brown, M.
Practical guide helps children understand death and deal with their feelings.
Ages 5-12
Little, Brown & Co., 1996

Everything Changes, But Love Endures
Carney, Karen
This book gives important information on hospice for young children.
Ages 3-7
Dragonfly Publishing, 1998

Living with Grief:  Children, Adolescents and Loss
Doka, K. J.
This book offers varying perspectives and interventions for living with grieving children and adolescents.
Adults
The Hospice Foundation of America, 2000

We Don’t Like Remembering Them as a Field of Grass
Dougy Center
A book by children who have a murdered loved one.
Children
New Sage, 2007

What About the Kids?  Understanding Their Needs in Funeral Planning and Services
Dougy Center
This guide gives practical information explaining funerals and memorial services to children.
Adults
The Dougy Center, 1999

A Bunch of Balloons
Ferguson, D.
This resource helps grieving children understand what they have after someone dies.
Ages 5-8
Centering Corporation, 1992

The Grieving Child: A Parent’s Guide
Fitzgerald, Helen
Well-organized guide for helping children through the grieving process.
Adults and children
Fireside, 1992

The Mourning Handbook
Fitzgerald, Helen
This is a comprehensive resource helping families compassionately cope with death and dying. It covers grief, murder, and suicide.
Families
Simon and Schuster, 1994

Good Grief:  Helping Groups of Children When a Friend Dies
Fox, S.
This is an excellent resource to help adults working with grieving children who have lost a friend.
Adults
New England Assoc. for the Education of Young Children, 1988

Breaking the Silence
Goldman, Linda
Comprehensive, practical resource for working with young people on issues of complex grief—suicide, homicide, abuse, violence, and AIDS.
Adults & Professionals
Taylor & Francis, 2001

Life & Loss:  A Guide to Help Grieving Children
Goldman, Linda
Practical guide for parents and mental health professionals working with children and teens, providing techniques, words to use & bibliography.
Adults/Professionals
Taylor & Francis, 2000

Raising Our Children to be Resilient
Goldman, Linda
Resource for traumatic grief.  Includes interventions, children’s work, and ideas to support children and teens.
Adults & Professionals
Taylor & Francis, 2005

When Someone Dies
Greenlee, Sharon
Brings a peaceful picture to the rollercoaster of emotions a child or adult feels, encouraging writing and drawing.
Ages 3-Adult
Peachtree, 1992
SH

Explaining Death to Children
Grollman, Earl
A book for adults working with children and their first experience of death.
Adults
Beacon Press, 1967

Talking About Death
Grollman, Earl
Includes a dialogue to read-a-long with a younger child.
Ages 4-8
Beacon Press, 1990
DT

The Next Place
Hanson, Warren
A reverie to be read aloud with children by adults.  Illustrated.
Ages 8-Adult
Waldman House, 1977

Saying Goodbye to Your Pet
Heegaard, Marge
This is a workbook for children to work through their feelings after their pet dies.
Ages 5-10
Fairview Press, 2001

Helping Children Grieve When Someone They Love Dies
Huntley, Theresa
Helping children understand and grieve when someone they love dies.  Sensitive.
Ages 4-10
Augsburg, 2002

Tell Me, Papa
Johnson, Joy & Johnson, Marvin
This book gives a clear explanation of children’s feelings on death, funerals, and burials.
Ages 5-10
Centering Corporation, Revised 2005

Where’s Jess
Johnson, Joy & Johnson, Marvin
This book covers feelings and questions children have when a sibling dies.
Ages 4-8
Centering Corporation, 1982

Grief Therapy
Katafiasz, Karen
Concepts cover the grieving process, which need time and attention. Reassures transforming healing comes through grieving.  Illustrated.
Ages 5-Adult
One Caring Place/Abbey Press, Revised 2004

Lifetimes
Mellonie, Bryan & Ingpen, Robert
A pet, a friend, or a relative dies and it must beexplained to a child.  This sensitive book is a useful tool in explaining that death is a part of life. Analogies and illustrations with plants and animals.
Children
Bantam, 1983

Love You Forever
Munsch, R.
Depicts growth and aging through generations of families, their love survives.
Ages 3 and up
Firefly Book, 1983

I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye
Noel, Brook & Blair, Pamela, Ph.D.   
Surviving, coping and healing after the sudden death of a loved one.  A comforting and easy-to-read book, covering what to expect the first few days, months, and later after loss, and how various types of losses affect us differently.
Adults
Champion Press, 2003

I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye Companion Workbook
Noel, Brook and Blair, Pamela D., Ph. D.
This workbook follows on after the book of the same name, helping the readers analyze their feelings and put their fears and thoughts in writing. This helps through the stages considered "grief work."
Adults
Champion Press, 2004

Richter, Elizabeth
Losing Someone You Love
When a brother or sister dies—15 interviews, primarily with adolescents, describing their feelings when a sibling died.  Compelling voices who model different ways to address pain.  Photos.
Ages 10-Adult
Putnam, 1986
DT, SH, SD

Thank You for Coming to Say Goodbye
Roberts, J. & Johnson, J.
This book is for professionals, parents, funeral directors and other caring adults suggesting ways to involve children in the services.
Parents & Centering Corporation, 1994
Professionals

Children Facing Grief
Romond, Janis
This book gives hope as bereaved siblings express their feelings through letters.
Ages 6-14
Abbey Press, 1989

Reactions
Salloum, Alison
This is a workbook for young people experiencing trauma and grief.
Ages 6 and up
Centering Corporation, 1998

How Do We Tell the Children?
Schaeffer, Dan & Lyons, Christine
Guide to help adults explain loss and grieving to children.
Ages 3-9
New Market Press, 2001

Am I Still a Sister?
Sims, Alicia

This book describes the feelings and reactions when an eleven-year old’s baby brother dies.
Ages 8-12
Big A and Company, 1988

A Grace Disguised*
Sittser, Gerald L. Describes growth through the loss of family members/loved ones.
Adults
Zondervan Publishing, 1996

A Candle for Grandpa: A Guide to the Jewish Funeral for Children and Parents
Techner, David & Hirt-Manheimer, Judith
This book for children explains Jewish funeral and burial customs.
Ages 7-12
UAHC Press, 1993

The Empty Place
Temes, Roberta
A child’s guide through grief, encouraging expression of feelings as it tells of a boy’s older sister dying.
Ages 5-10
Small Horizons, 1992

Helping Children Cope With Grief
Wofelt, Alan
Helping children to understand and heal through the grieving process.
Adults With Children
Accelerated Dev., 1983

Back to Grieving Books Page
Fiction Books for Children to Read Alone or with Adults
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