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Dealing with Death/Loss in Picture Books
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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 stone for Sascha
Becker, Aaron
Paper Book
A girl grieves the loss of her dog in an achingly beautiful wordless epic from the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Journey. This year's summer vacation will be very different for a young girl and her family without Sascha, the beloved family dog, along for the ride. But...
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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...
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Where Lily isn't
Paschkis, Julie
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...
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The Boy and the Gorilla
Kramer, Jackie Azua.
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...
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Something very sad happened : a toddler's guide to understanding death
Zucker, Bonnie
Paper Book
When a loved one dies, it can be hard to know how to explain it to a young child, particularly if you are grieving the loss yourself. Sensitively written and gently illustrated, Something Very Sad Happened explains death in developmentally appropriate terms for two- and three-year-old...
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Dance like a leaf
Irving, A. J.
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...
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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...
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The funeral
James, Matt
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 is looking...
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Death Is Stupid.
Higginbotham, Anastasia.
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....
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It's tough to lose your balloon
Krosoczka, Jarrett
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...
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Grandma's gloves
Castellucci, Cecil
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,...
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The invisible string
Karst, Patrice
Paper Book
Parents, educators, therapists, and social workers alike have declared The Invisible String the perfect tool for coping with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss, and grief. In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they're all connected...
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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...
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