Books for a Grieving Child | 5-minute read
Grief Support | Child Grief | Juvenile Grief
A child’s grief may be difficult to address as we navigate our own loss. “I’m OK Mom” or the equivalent, is a likely response to inquiries to children following a loss. It’s kind of like, “How was school today?”
“Good.”
You know there’s more to it.
Juvenile grief is a topic beyond the capabilities of this writer, however, we can bring to the reader’s attention several children’s books that may open up the dialog a bit, and that’s our objective here. The following are books from the lending library at the Joseph Quinlan Bereavement Center in Augusta, New Jersey as well as a few external resources that share similar lists. Parents or guardians should read books prior to sharing them with a child to determine if appropriate.
Further, we invite your own recommendations, comments, and experiences in the comments section below.
What does grief look like they’ve been
Illustrated. A child special person died he asks the reader questions about grief and what they feel and experience. There’s a section in the back for adults to help guide questions with children.
Badgers Parting Gifts
By Susan Varley
Illustrated. Old Badger is much loved by friends. One night, Badger dreams of a long tunnel. His friends miss his normal greeting in the morning and find he has died. Upon gathering, all the animals remember Badger’s gifts of life and love. They remember and retell the things they’ll have forever, his stories, and his lessons.
Andersen Press 1997
The Dragonfly Door
By John Adams
Illustrated. Story of water nymphs Lea and Nym. Leah and Nym are good friends and older Leah disappears following an argument. Nym is left to deal with her loss after Leah transitions into a dragonfly. Metaphorical.
The Invisible String
By Patrice Karst
Illustrated. A mother explains to her young twin children that they are connected by an invisible string.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You
By Nancy Tillman
Illustrated. “A love story disguised as a book”. Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You is an allegory representing the nature of love. Conveys a reassuring, wonderous message to readers, grieving or not, that love endures.
Warning: If reviewing while grieving yourself, have tissues handy.
What Does Grief Feel Like?
By Korie Leigh, PhD
Illustrated. A child’s special person has died. The book asks the reader questions about grief and what they feel and experience.
Also, see the section in the book for adults helping grieving children.
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages
By Leo F. Buscaglia, PhD
Per Goodreads: “An incisive, sensitive exploration of the questions of life, death, mortality, and immortality uses the leaves of a tree as symbols of enjoying life to the fullest and accepting mortality with dignity and equanimity”.
Jungle Journey and Remembering Eleanor the Elephant
By Michael O. Henderson
Illustrated. All the animals respond differently to the death of Eleanor the Elephant
Other Resources for Children’s Grief:
National Alliance for Children’s Grief:
https://nacg.org
Children’s Grief Awareness Day: https://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org/cgad2/about/index.shtml
GoodGrief:
Tips for Supporting Grieving Kids
The Fred Rodgers Institute:
When Someone Your Child Loves Dies