Grief and loss is one of the hardest subjects to talk about with kids. One reason is that many times the adults in the child’s life are also grieving too. Another reason is that death is difficult ANYONE to understand … let alone a child.
Here are some of my favorite books to help a child who is grieving …
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein (classic, simple story of the cycle of life)
The Hurt, by Teddi Doleski (discusses the importance of sharing your feelings)
Someone Special Died, by Joan Singleton Prestine (simple explanations, great for kids)
When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death, by Laura Kransy Brown (my favorite book to help children understand death)
When Someone VERY Special DIES, by Marge Heegaard (a workbook designed to help kids cope with grief)
Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs, by Tomie dePaola (the author shares his own experiences about being blessed to experience knowing different generations of his family and the grief of losing them)
A Terrible Thing Happened, by Margaret M. Holmes (a story for children who have witnessed violence and trauma)
Brave Bart, by Caroline H. Sheppard (a story about a cat who has been traumatized and seeks help to cope with his feelings)
We Had an Angel Instead, by Pat Schwiebert (instead of a family having a new baby, they experience loss and grief)
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