More Children's Picture Books About Grief
/ Books, Movies, and Music : Litsa
Kid's books about grief can be tough to find at any age, but it can be especially hard if you are at the picture book stage. We've compiled lists in the past of some of our favorite children's books about grief, but we were thrilled to find a collection of children's picture books about grief from @maistorybooklibrary on Instagram. If you're looking for children's book recommendations of all sorts, her page is a must!
Check out her recommendations for picture books about grief below (with affiliate links for where you can purchase these book that will also support What's Your Grief's programs!)
Empty and Me
Loss of a mother
After a young girl's mother dies, Empty appears and silently takes up the big blank space left behind. For some time, the girl can't connect with her dad or any friends, and Empty is her closest companion. But then, a happy reminder of her mom pops up one day, and this bit of joy helps the little girl open up to the world around her. Empty stays around, but the little girl starts to connect with others and share new moments of happiness with them.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
The Dreams We Made
Loss of a father
Every night, a little girl and her daddy build dreams out of paper, scissors, and glue. Every morning the little girl asks, "Take me with you?" And every time, Daddy tells her they'll keep building when he gets home from work.Until one night when Daddy doesn't come home. When Mommy tells her that Daddy died, the little girl feels confused and sad and even mad. How can she keep building without Daddy? But with some time and help from Mommy, the little girl begins building dreams again and finds a way to take her daddy with her everywhere she goes.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
Zora, the Story Keeper
Loss of an aunt
When Zora grows up, she wants to be just like Aunt Bea. Aunt Bea is the best storyteller she knows! Every day after school, Zora heads to her aunt's house, where they take out their family book and turn Aunt Bea's kitchen into their stage. They raid Aunt Bea's costume chest, filled with colorful garments from her acting days, and even do special voices to tell the stories of swimming coaches, Sunday preachers, World War II pilots, and more--all real members of their family. Zora can't wait to find out what her story will be. As the days pass, Zora notices something's happening to Aunt Bea. She gets tired more quickly, and sometimes she needs Zora to tell the stories instead. Zora never imagined that Aunt Bea's tales would ever stop, but in addition to creating lots of joy and a lifetime of memories, Aunt Bea had been working on her greatest gift of all: preparing Zora to become the story keeper.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
Remembering Ethan
Loss of a sibling
Ethan. Ethan. Ethan. Sarah misses her adored big brother with all her heart. She wants to celebrate all the fun times she and her parents spent with him. But ever since Ethan died, Mommy and Daddy won’t mention him. Sarah can’t even say his name without upsetting them. Why don’t they want to remember Ethan?
Ethan is gone, but he won’t be forgotten as his sister rallies her family to never forget. Includes a note with recommendations of what to say and how to help children after the death of a loved one.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
https://amzn.to/3Z3wrRAThe Heart Never Forgets
Loss of a grandfather
DUM! DUM! DUM! DUM!
The talking drums thump a sweet beat...
The masquerade has begun.As villagers gather to hear masked musicians beating drums, savor fried plantains, and watch the joyful dancers, a young girl joins the celebration with her family. But this year, everything feels different; it's the first masquerade without Grandpa.Each member of the family carries something that honors Grandpa--his clanking beads, soft velvet hat, and carved walking stick. But the young girl doesn't have any of Grandpa's items. Instead, she brings with her a special memory shared only between the two of them. Will she be able to share it with the world?
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
Abuela’s Letter
Loss of a grandmother
Alma's favorite days are when her big family gathers at Abuela's house. Tíos take siestas while tías tell their stories, and primos play dominoes while Abuela stirs the frijoles. Always at the center is the love of Abuela! Alma's beloved grandmother and her number one fan! When Abuela dies, all of this is suddenly gone. Alma is filled with sadness and grief, until she finds a letter that Abuela left for her.Could Abuela's words be what fills her heart again with love and sweet memories?
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
An Ofrenda for Perro
Loss of a pet
Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the flores de cempasuchil, candles, pan de muertos, photographs, and sharing memories of departed loved ones. By creating his own special altar for Perro, he realizes that his love for his beloved companion, and the happiness Perro gave him, will always remain.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
Missing Violet
Loss of a friend/ peer
Life is full of sunshine for inseparable friends Violet and Mia. Until one day, Violet leaves school sick and doesn't get better. Without her best friend, Mia slips into a gloomy existence. As she moves through the stages of grief like the colors of a rainbow, Mia wonders if she will ever feel like herself again. When Mia reaches out to her classmates, she remembers what she loved most about Violet.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
Dear Star Baby
Loss of an unborn baby sibling due to miscarriage
Written as a letter to his unborn baby sibling, Dear Star Baby shares how a little boy processes the grief he and his family experience after a miscarriage. He tells the baby all about how they were preparing their home to welcome them and the things he was looking forward to doing together. He processes his wonders, wishes, and sadness after this tremendous loss. Dad says their Star Baby feels far away. Mom says their Star Baby is always in her heart. The little boy imagines his baby sibling singing and twinkling in the night sky as he sleeps.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
Why?
Loss of a loved one to suicide
Oliver's daddy loved him--a whole bunch, forever and for always. One day Oliver's daddy died by suicide. Why? Oliver's mommy hugs him tight, and she tells him why. And she reassures Oliver that his daddy loved him--and that will never change.In developmentally appropriate language and evocative illustrations, this picture book helps open communication about why a parent completes suicide. A reader's note offers more information about supporting children who have lost a parent to suicide.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
All the Pieces
Loss of a loved one to substance abuse/overdose
Often, children who lose a loved one to overdose are not truthfully told what happened to the person who died, because of the stigma associated with this type of death. They often assume that the death was their fault (rather than that it was the symptom of a disease) and that it’s not okay to remember their loved one, nor is it okay to feel angry about the death.
This book aims to help parents and practitioners address these specific areas and provide validation/ normalization of these grief responses.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
Grief is an Elephant
Helps children process overall grief
When Grief first arrives, it is an elephant—so big that there is hardly room for anything else. But over time, Grief becomes smaller and smaller—first a deer, a fox, then a mouse, and finally a flickering firefly in the darkness leading us down a path of loving remembrance.
This lyrical work is an empathetic and comforting balm for anyone experiencing grief—whether the loss of a loved one or the losses in the world around us. Its heartfelt message reminds us that there is no loss without love.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
A Garden of Creatures
Addresses questions about what happens after we die
Two bunnies and a cat live happily together in a beautiful garden. But when the big bunny passes away, the little bunny is unsure how to fill the void she left behind. A strange dream prompts her to begin asking questions: Why do the creatures we love have to die, and where do we go when we die? How come life works this way? With the wisdom of the cat to guide her, the little bunny learns that missing someone is a way of keeping them close. And together they discover that the big bunny is a part of everything around them -- the grass, the air, the leaves -- for the world is a garden of creatures.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
See You on the Other Side
Reassure children that our loved ones are with us forever
This is not goodbye, sweet child.
I'll see you on the other side. . . .Simple, rhyming text and evocative illustrations offer comfort to children who may be grieving, or coming to terms with the idea of loss or change. The universal message opens the door to our collective healing, and the everlasting connection of love.Actress, dancer, and singer Rachel Montez Minor wrote this book to help children and their families process big life changes. With illustrations from Mariyah Rahman, Minor's soothing and poetic words are a balm for the spirit.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
You’ll Be There
Shares ways to incorporate a lost loved one’s presence into future events
Our loved ones are always with us, and we can remember them not only with past experiences, but with future ones as well. Whether it's making a snowman just like they used to, or watching the fireworks they would love, or simply being thankful for the time spent with them, they will always be there. This companion book to You'll Find Me offers gentle and positive ways to incorporate a lost loved one's presence into future life experiences.
Find it here on Bookshop.org and here on Amazon.com
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We wrote a book!
After writing online articles for What’s Your Grief
for over a decade, we finally wrote a tangible,
real-life book!
What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss is for people experiencing any type of loss. This book discusses some of the most common grief experiences and breaks down psychological concepts to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. It also shares useful coping tools, and helps the reader reflect on their unique relationship with grief and loss.
You can find What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss wherever you buy books:
