Glitter boy by Ian Eagleton

Glitter boy by Ian Eagleton. 

Scholastic, 2023.

James is fabulous. He dances, he sings, and someday he's going to write a song for Mariah Carey to perform. But right now he has three big problems: 1 His teacher, Mr Hamilton, is getting married, and the school choir is planning a wedding surprise. But James's dad won't let James go! Is it because Mr Hamilton is marrying a man? 2 James's nan has been having worrying falls. If Dad finds out, will he put her in a home? 3 At school, a boy named Paul is bullying James, calling him *that word*. James doesn't even want to dance or sing any more... But an ever bigger problem is one James can't bring himself to face: being honest about himself, to himself. 

Books don't usually come with a whole heap of Mariah Carey love! 

The under-the-radar, low-level bullying of James is something that hits close to home.

Again, those middle years can be complete hell. They were the worst years of my bullying - and by those who were, ostensibly, my friends. 

Through it all, James keeps his glitter on. I quashed mine down. 

Is it asleep by Olivier Tallec

Is it asleep? by Olivier Tallec. 

Originally published in French as Est-ce qu'il dort? Translated by Anthony Shugaar. 

Gecko Press, 2025. 

Squirrel and his best friend, Pock the mushroom, sit on the old stump, watching birds fly by. When they're tired of this, they take the path to the yellow meadow to listen to the blackbird sing. But today, the bird's not there. The friends look everywhere. Finally they find it on the path, all stretched out and quite still. It must be sleeping. They sit down quietly and wait for the bird to wake. This true-to-child story of a natural encounter with an animal that has died is both dryly humorous and a profound example of how to manage the comings and goings of life. 

A quirky introduction to death, which does look at what it means – physically – to be dead. And, a bit at life cycles.  

Millie's big decision by Ian Eagleton & Max Rambaldi

Millie's big decision by Ian Eagleton & Max Rambaldi.

Tate Publishing, 2023. 

Millie has always wanted a dog, but when her grandmother passes away, she finds herself scared of letting anyone (or any dog) in. Can her dads help her find the perfect pup to teach her to love again? 

The death of Millie's beloved grandmother helps give this story impetus. How can Millie adopt and love a new dog, when they could die, and she would grieve. The inclusion of two dads is incidental to the story, but is a lovely bonus. 

The more you give by Marcy Campbell and Francesca Sanna.

The more you give by Marcy Campbell and Francesca Sanna.

A beautiful story of continuity and love, with lessons passed down through the generations. 

The grandmother's death is not explained, but quietly incorporated into the story. I appreciate how the grandson knows to reach for help in his sorrow. 

The story moves on, with more generations. 

Dadaji's paintbrush written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane

Dadaji's paintbrush written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane. Andersen Press 2022. 

Sometimes, the only way to deal with the absence of a loved one is to lock things away - be they memories or physical objects.

The boy copes with the death of his grandfather, Dadaji, by locking everything away. The paintings. The paint. The paintbrush. And his joy and creativity. 

A small child reminds him of their shared past, and helps him rediscover his Dadaji and his memories and joy. 

Rodney was a tortoise written by Nan Forler, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang.

Rodney was a tortoise written by Nan Forler, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang. Tundra Books 2022. 

The overwhelming aloneness of unshared grief, and the importance of someone who reaches out, who understands. 

Bernadette and Rodney have a wonderful relationship, and Bernadette's grief at his death is poignantly shown. 

How my koro became a star by Brianne Te Paa; illustrated by Story Hemi Moorhouse

How my koro became a star written by Brianne Te Paa; illustrated by Story Hemi Moorhouse. Huia Publishers 2022.

A true taonga.

Rituals passed down and shared.

The significance and importance of these farewell rituals is integrated beautifully within the story.

The sorrow and shared experiences / memories of a passed loved one are gently shown.

Maia and what matters by Tine Mortier, Kaatje Vermeire & David Colmer.

Maia and what matters by Tine Mortier, Kaatje Vermeire & David Colmer. Book Island 2013. 


Maia and her grandmother have a special relationship. After Grandma has a stroke, only Maia seems to understand her - but only after Maia has recovered from her grief and anger over the changes to her playmate.

Then, Grandpa dies. And it is up to Maia to help Grandma say her goodbyes. 

Fox: a circle of life story by Isabel Thomas & Daniel Egnéus

Fox: a circle of life story by Isabel Thomas & Daniel Egnéus. Bloomsbury Children's Books
2020.

Woven through this story of Fox is an explanation of the life cycle, of decomposition, of the food chain. 

Its structure would appeal to those who need a story, and also those who prefer facts. 

Saturdays are for Stella by Candy Wellins; illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan.

Saturdays are for Stella by Candy Wellins; illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan. Page Street Kids 2020.

A story about the circle of life, and the comfort found in continuing and passing on traditions.

George loves Saturdays, because Saturdays are for Stella – his grandmother. George and Stella have their traditions, which include dancing to Stella’s “giant, flat Frisbees [she] could get […] to play music.” One Saturday, there is no Stella, and George’s world changes.

Although Stella’s death is not explicitly stated, George’s reactions to her absence are vividly portrayed through the illustrations, and understated text.

But, his life changes when a new Stella arrives – his new baby sister. And he enjoys passing on his and Stella-grandma’s traditions.

A map into the world by Kao Kalia Yang and Seo Kim.

A map into the world by Kao Kalia Yang; illustrated by Seo Kim. Carolrhoda Books 2019.

A gentle story of inter-generational and cross-cultural understanding and empathy.

A young Hmong girl and her family move into a new house, while awaiting the birth of her twin brothers. Across the street live Bob and Ruth.

Time and seasons pass, and Ruth dies.

Wanting to give comfort and healing, the girl draws a map into the world for Bob, on his driveway.

An ordinary day by Elana K. Arnold and Elizabet Vuković.

An ordinary day by Elana K. Arnold; illustrated by Elizabet Vuković. Beach Lane Books 2020. 

A beautiful and gentle demonstration of the circle of life, of beginnings and endings, and how normal - how ordinary, yet extraordinary, each experience is.

In one house, a much loved dog is farewelled; next door, a new baby is welcomed.
Meanwhile, life continues outside.

The hug blanket by Chris Gurney and Lael Chisholm.

The hug blanket by Chris Gurney; illustrated by Lael Chisholm. Scholastic New Zealand 2020.

Also available as Te paraikete kauwhi nā Ngaere Roberts ngā korero i whakamāori.

"It smells like sunshine.
It sounds like whispers.
It looks like rainbows.
It feels like love."

A story of love and family.
When a girl's Nana dies suddenly, she shares her feelings.
As her family hold the funeral, and visit Nana's grave, the family celebrate and share in ways that Nana would enjoy.
Nana was all about fun and joy - and that is how the family remember her. 

Up the mountain by Marianne Dubuc, translated by Sarah Ardizzone.

Up the mountain by Marianne Dubuc, translated by Sarah Ardizzone. Book Island 2018. 

A story of friendship and sharing and passing on of knowledge. 

Mrs Badger loves the mountain and teaches Leo, a cat, about the mountain. 

Slowly, as Mrs Badger ages, Leo takes the mountain over. And passes on his knowledge to another.

Alfie and the birthday surprise by Shirley Hughes.

Alfie and the birthday surprise by Shirley Hughes. Bodley Head 1997. 

The story of the importance and friendship/ companionship found in pets. And how a cat can effect a community. 

It also shows how wonderful it is to be part of a community/ neighbourhood. 

When the neighbour's old cat dies, the street combine to comfort Mr MacNally with a surprise birthday, including a new kitten.

Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Roaring Brook Press 2018. 

So simple and yet so powerful. Sparse words tell the story of a young boy and his dog. 

It is so sparse, much explanation may be needed, as you could miss the fact the dog dies.

What is heaven like? by Beverly Lewis & Pam Querin.

What is heaven like? by Beverly Lewis, illustrated by Pam Querin. Bethany House 2006. 

A comforting exploration of Christian heaven and afterlife, with Biblical verses as footnotes.

Tibble and Grandpa by Wendy Meddour & Daniel Egneus.

Tibble and Grandpa by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel Egneus. Oxford University Press 2019. 

Tibble tries to find a way to get Grandpa to talk to him - to come out of his grief after the death of his wife, Tibble's Granny. 

A simple yet powerful story about memories and connections.

The immortal jellyfish by Sang Miao.

The immortal jellyfish by Sang Miao. Flying Eye Books 2019. 

A young boy finds comfort in his dreams of his recently dead grandfather, as his grandfather chooses what to be reincarnated as. 

This may have limited bibliotherapy uses.

Are you sad, Little Bear? by Rachel Rivett & Tina Macnaughton.

Are you sad, Little Bear?: a book about learning to say goodbye by Rachel Rivett, illustrated by Tina Macnaughton. Lion Children’s 2009. 

A metaphorical and spiritual look at death, and moving into another realm.