Difficult Topics for Kids: Grief

Sometimes we have to learn about difficult things like death, and grief. This list of books can help us start the conversation.

Updated October 28, 2025
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Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
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Difficult Topics for Kids: Grief

Sometimes we have to learn about difficult things like death, and grief. This list of books can help us start the conversation.

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A last goodbye
Kelsey, Elin
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...
Always sisters : a story of loss and love
Mir, Saira
Paper Book
This much-needed picture book about navigating the difficult experience of pregnancy loss meets young readers at their level to offer a tender look at grieving someone who never entered the world. Raya can't wait for her baby sister to arrive. She's already got a name--Nura--and...
Birdsong
Flett, Julie
Paper Book
BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, KIRKUS, HORN BOOK, QUILL & QUIRE, GLOBE AND MAIL NAMED AN ESSENTIAL CHILDREN'S BOOK BY THE ATLANTIC WINNER OF THE TD CANADIAN CHILDREN...
Pocket full of sads
Davidson, Bradley Justin
Paper Book
A uniquely humorous approach to sadness, this picture book helps kids understand this big, heavy feeling while encouraging mindfulness and exploring what it means to be a good friend. Rabbit is SO excited to go fishing with Bear. But Bear's not feeling up to it. . . . He's...
The goodbye book
Parr, Todd
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...
We need to talk about death : an important book about grief, celebrations, and love
Chavez, Sarah
Paper Book
An educational book that helps grieving children understand what happens when we die, and celebrates the traditions people around the world use to honor the dead. Death is an important part of life, and yet it is one of the hardest things to talk about--for adults as well as...
The hole
Bonilla, Lindsay
Paper Book
A powerful story perfect for opening up conversations about loss What does it feel like to lose someone you love? For one little boy, it's like he has a hole in his life. It's in the bottom bunk, where his little brother, Matty, used to sleep, and it's on his brother's chair at...
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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/750.1113/list/6641

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