Templar Books, 2025.
Folklore, mythology, and cultural practices around death and
the dead – from around the world and through time.
Showing posts with label non-fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label non-fiction. Show all posts
Where the dead live by Sam Fern & Rômolo D'Hipólito
The glow: life, death & the light within by Rebekah Lipp & Craig Phillips
Wilding Books, 2026.
Discover a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children understand death and dying in a comforting, spiritual way. It uses the metaphor of an inner light a unique "glow" that connects all living things to explain the cycle of life, loss, and lasting love. Perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers seeking a tender resource for explaining death to kids or supporting children's grief.
Very spiritual – ie new-age-y.
Not one I would recommend.
It's ok that you're not ok
Personal,
no nonsense advice for those grieving and those supporting them.
Platitudes are, at best, useless.
Grief doesn't get better. We live with it, grow around it, carry it
differently. But it is there, forever.
If I could recommend only one book for supporters of those grieving — this
would be it.
If I could recommend only one book for those grieving — this would be it.
Why do I feel so sad?: a grief book for children by Tracy Lambert, LPC & Elena Napoli.
by Tracy Lambert, LPC & Elena Napoli. Rockridge Press 2020.
Simple and direct text helps explain grief and the various reasons someone may be grieving. The text does not limit grief to a death, but brings in different situations.
A beginner's guide to the end by BJ Miller, MD and Shoshana Berger.
Written mainly for those facing the prospect of their own death, much of the content isn’t relevant for others. However, there are a couple of chapters which are particularly relevant to my interest in books supporting children and teens who are grieving:
Chapter 16: How to talk to kids
Chapter 21: Grief.
There were a couple of quotes which resonated with me:
P111 Grief is a shape-shifter and varies in intensity and form as it winds its way through a person. You can feel your insides wresting with the loss, trying to reconcile the truth of what’s gone with what remains.
P343… [T]he pain of loss stems from the power of love. If you didn’t care this would all be easier.
Some of the advice is very UK specific.
Chapter 16: How to talk to kids
Chapter 21: Grief.
There were a couple of quotes which resonated with me:
P111 Grief is a shape-shifter and varies in intensity and form as it winds its way through a person. You can feel your insides wresting with the loss, trying to reconcile the truth of what’s gone with what remains.
P343… [T]he pain of loss stems from the power of love. If you didn’t care this would all be easier.
Some of the advice is very UK specific.
All that remains by Sue Black
A different aspect to death – one which
sparked conversations with my elderly mother.
I read this book, because I’ve heard
Professor Dame Sue Black on a podcast – and forensics fascinates me (well, most
science does). But I wasn’t expecting to learn so much about body donation for
anatomy departments.
You can definitely hear Sue’s voice
in the book – and she is entertaining and down-to-earth. I ended up reading
bits out to my mother – hence the body donation chat, and subsequent internet
research.
Why do things die? by Katie Daynes, Christine Pym and Suzie Harrison.
Why do things die? by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Christine Pym, designed by Suzie Harrison. Usborne 2020.
A simple, direct book about death and grief. The flaps add interest, but also depth to the explanations.
What happens when a loved one dies? by Dr Jillian Roberts & by Cindy Revell.
What happens when a loved one dies?: our first talk about
death by Dr Jillian Roberts, illustrated by Cindy Revell. Orca Books Publishers
2016.
A simple and accessible nonfiction book about death and
grief, with many cultures and beliefs mentioned.
Sad! by Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Holly Sterling.
(Everybody feels) Sad! by Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Holly Sterling.
QED 2016.
A simple non-fiction book about feeling sad, and ways to feel better. One of the stories is of a boy whose pet cat has died.
Will my cat eat my eyeballs? by Caitlin Doughty.
illustrated by Dianné Ruz. Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2019.
Honest and humorous, this is an entertaining look into life
after death, including rituals and the decaying process.
Although questions may have come from children, the book
itself is not written for them.
Adult intervention may be required for
inquiring young minds.
Where do they go? by Julia Alvarez & illustrated by Sabra Field.
Musing on what happens after death, using many of the common
sayings - In clouds, in your heart, in others.
Death, itself, is not discussed, but this could be a useful
conversation starter.
When goodbye is forever by Lois Rock
A religious, God-focussed look at death and grief. If you are not looking for a religious point-of-view, the majority of the book can still be of value, with its honest look at death and grief. It starts by discussing other goodbyes, which will make the topic more understandable for children.
Life is like the wind by Shona Innes
Life is like the wind by Shona Innes, illustrated by Írisz Agócs. Barron’s 2014. 
A straightforward, yet lyrical, explanation about death, grief, and the afterlife. It covers all religions – including reincarnation and heaven, and non-afterlife – and the feelings of grief, without being explicit or complicated. A good introduction.
A straightforward, yet lyrical, explanation about death, grief, and the afterlife. It covers all religions – including reincarnation and heaven, and non-afterlife – and the feelings of grief, without being explicit or complicated. A good introduction.
When someone dies by Dawn Hewitt
Simple, yet factual and to-the-point, with basic information – including what is alive, and what is dead. It leaves space for adults to talk about how they – their family, culture, etc – deal with situations like funerals.
Where do balloons go by Jamie Lee Curtis
A metaphorical exploration about life after death.
Bug in a vacuum by Mélanie Watt
Based on the Kübler-Ross stages of grief, this is the surreal tale of a bug in a vacuum cleaner. The bug does escape and live – which isn’t quite what happens in real life. I’m really undecided about whether this would help children, or not.
I miss you by Pat Thomas
Simple text explains what death is, the concept of different beliefs, and the emotions that can come after someone has died. A really good introduction to the subject for younger readers.
The purple balloon by Chris Raschka
Written in conjunction with a children’s hospice
organisation, this is a simple and straightforward introduction to coping
around death.
The goodbye book by Todd Parr
Although not specifically looking at death – this is a
wonderful book looking at the feelings around a loss.
Michael Rosen's sad book by Michael Rosen
Michael Rosen's sad book by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake. Walker, 2004.
Poignant and hard-hitting – and oh, so relatable. Michael Rosen shares his feelings after the sudden death of his son, Eddie. The roller-coaster of emotions is beautiful dealt with – and his coping mechanisms.
A wonderful book for anyone feeling sad, not just those grieving. Highly recommended.
Poignant and hard-hitting – and oh, so relatable. Michael Rosen shares his feelings after the sudden death of his son, Eddie. The roller-coaster of emotions is beautiful dealt with – and his coping mechanisms.
A wonderful book for anyone feeling sad, not just those grieving. Highly recommended.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)