Dealing with Death/Loss in Picture Books

Picture books for children to help them work through and put words to the loss of a loved one.
Updated September 19, 2022
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A Last Goodbye
Elin Kelsey
Paper Book
How do we say goodbye to a loved one after they die? This book broaches a difficult topic in a heartfelt way by exploring the beauty in how animals mourn. From elephants to whales, parrots to bonobos, and lemurs to humans, we all have rituals to commemorate our loved ones and to lift each other up...
Where Lily Isn't
Julie Paschkis
Paper Book
Where Lily Isn't is Julie Paschkis and Margaret Chodos-Irvine's beautiful bereavement picture book celebrating the love of a lost pet. Lily ran and jumped and barked and whimpered and growled and wiggled and wagged and licked and snuggled. But not...
The Boy and the Gorilla
Jackie Azua Kramer
Paper Book
This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss. On the day of his mother's funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see: a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart...
Dance Like a Leaf
AJ Irving
Paper Book
"This beautifully balanced picturebook's rich colours dance alongside its intricately clear-eyed narrative, sensitive but never sentimental.... Certain to become a classic" - Inis magazine, Children's Books Ireland As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to...
Ida, Always
Caron Levis
Paper Book
A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears. Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always. Then one sad day, Gus learns that Ida...
The Funeral
Matt James
Paper Book
A New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book New York Public Library Best Books for Kids Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor Winner Norma and her parents are going to her great-uncle Frank's funeral, and Norma is more excited than sad. She...
The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye
Jane Yolen
Paper Book
Not since The 10th Good Thing About Barney or I'll Always Love You has there been such a peaceful and inspiring book to help children and adults cope with the loss of a pet. The talented multiple-medalist Jane Yolen takes on this difficult subject with her usual grace and poetic...
Death Is Stupid
Anastasia Higginbotham
Paper Book
'She's in a better place now,' adults say again and again when someone dies. But it doesn't seem better, it seems stupid. This forthright exploration of grief and mourning recognises the anger, confusion and fear that we feel about death - but refuses to succumb to banalaties when talking about it....
It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon
Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Paper Book
From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. Lost balloons. Melted ice cream. Babysitters. Life as a kid can be pretty daunting. But don't let these troubles get you down. With the right attitude, a hurdle can become a hammock and an...
Grandma's Gloves
Cecil Castellucci
Paper Book
From a debut illustrator comes a story about a child who loses a beloved grandparent finds comfort in carrying on the activities they shared in this sweet, genuine look at a universal rite of passage.  Grandma is always on her knees in the dirt, with her gardening gloves on,...
The Invisible String
Patrice Karst
Paper Book
NEW EDITION AVAILABLE! Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is now the exclusive publisher of all editions of The Invisible String, featuring gorgeous artwork by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. The publishing rights to the original DeVorss Publications hardcover edition, first released in 2000, were...
The Goodbye Book
Todd Parr
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr comes this poignant and reassuring story about loss.  With his colorful illustrations, playful humor, and inclusive storytelling, beloved author Todd Parr has long been a favorite among young readers and...
The Grandad Tree
Trish Cooke
Paper Book
Leigh and her brother, Vin, remember playing with Grandad under their apple tree -- a tree that started out as a seed and then grew and grew. Just as the seasons go through their changes, so does the tree. "That's life", as Grandad used to say. But while the world around Leigh and Vin changes, they...
The Memory Box: A Book About Grief
Joanna Rowland
Paper Book
A multi-award-winning story about dealing with the loss of a loved one, The Memory Boxhas been an invaluable resource for thousands of families. From the perspective of a young child, author Joanna Rowland artfully describes what it's like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died....
Grandma's Gone to Live in the Stars (Concept Books (Albert Whitman))
Max Haynes
Paper Book
GRANDMA'S GONE TO LIVE IN THE STARS is the simple, tender story of the death of a beloved grandmother. But this story is told by Grandma herself as she peacefully says goodbye to her sleeping children and grandchildren and then, in turn, to all the earthly things she has loved and rises to her new...
One Wave at a Time
Holly Thompson
Ebook
Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You
Nancy Tillman
Paper Book
Bestselling author/artist Nancy Tillman celebrates the ways in which the love between parents and children is forever. . . . I wanted you more than you'll ever know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go. . . . Love is the greatest...

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