Freya and the snake by Fredrik Sonck & Jenny Lucander

Freya and the snake by Fredrik Sonck & Jenny Lucander. 

Originally published in Swedish as Freja och huggormen. Translated by B.J. Woodstein.

Kids Can Press, 2025. 

At their summer cottage, Freya's little brother, Hugo, spots a snake in the cairn. "Its name is Ormis," Freya proclaims. Worried for Hugo's safety, Freya's parents decide they don't want Ormis around -- they must catch the snake and take it away from their home. They assure Freya that the snake won't be harmed. Wearing rain boots and thick gloves, Freya's dad tries to capture Ormis all day. But Ormis is too quick, hissing and slithering in and out of rocky crevices, hiding from view. By the end of the day, Freya's dad is frustrated, his patience thin. So, when he spots Ormis again at last, he sneaks up slowly... and kills him with an oar. Freya sees the whole thing. "Murder!" Freya yells at her dad. Disheartened by her dad's actions, Freya shuns him. She knows that Ormis could have hurt Hugo, but does that mean the snake deserved to die? Surely not. But even if her dad did a bad thing, can Freya really stay mad at him forever? This unflinching picture book explores death, the relationship between humans and nature, and what happens when a child sees their parent do something they think is wrong -- and what it takes to find forgiveness. 

A very different approach to dealing with death. 

Freya’s father kills a snake, which could have bitten one of the family. Freya cannot forgive the snake murder, even after his reasons are explained. Freya has to deal with her anger at her father, but also her love of him.

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.  

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. 

Samsara dog by Helen Manos; illustrated by Julie Vivas.

Samsara dog by Helen Manos; illustrated by Julie Vivas. Working Title Press 2006. 


A story of reincarnation, with Samsara Dog returning in many lives until it learns the lesson of love.
Beautifully told, and beautifully illustrated, this is a treasure.
Although not specifically about death, but it does happen, this would make a wonderful starting point for a discussion about reincarnation.

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.

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.

The three Lucys by Hayan Charara & Sara Kahn.

The three Lucys by Hayan Charara, illustrated by Sara Kahn. Lee & Low Books 2016. 

Based on true events, this is the story of pets left behind while the family are away for a weekend, but their home - Beirut - is bombed, thus extending their time away. 

On their return, one of the cats fails to return. The narrator finds comfort in the rebuilding of his city, and in his memories of his cat, Lucy Lucy.

The rough patch by Brian Lies.

The rough patch by Brian Lies. Greenwillow Books 2018. 

Both literal and metaphorical anger express Evan's grief after the death of his (unnamed) dog. 

Healing comes through time and friends, reestablishing routine, and a new puppy. 

Goodbye to Goldie by Fran Manushkin & Tammie Lyon.

Goodbye to Goldie by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Tammie Lyon. Picture Window Books 2010. 

Part of the Katie Woo series. 

A simple, beginning chapter book, which still manages to show how sharing happy memories can help with the grieving process after a death. 

My old pal, Oscar by Amy Hest & Amy Bates

My old pal, Oscar by Amy Hest, illustrated by Amy Bates. Abrams Books for Young Readers 2016. 

The first person narrator tries to tell a stray puppy that they don’t need a dog – Oscar is all the dog they’ll ever need. But, Oscar isn’t here – and the puppy needs a home, and a name, and reassurance during the storm.

As the narrator comes to realise they may end up with a new puppy, the illustrations change to warmer hues.

A quiet and gentle story of memories and new beginnings, as the narrator tells the puppy all about Oscar.

Bone dog by Eric Rohmann.

Bone dog by Eric Rohmann. Roaring Brook Press 2011.

Bonds of friendship and love cannot be broken, even after death, as Gus discovers when his dead dog, Ella, returns to save him from skeletons on a Halloween night.

Reassuring, in a creepy, Halloween way.

Molly's memory jar by Norma Spaulding & Jacqui Grantford.

Molly's memory jar by Norma Spaulding, illustrated by Jacqui Grantford. New Frontier Publishing
2010. 

Lucy’s father helps her find a way to remember and rejoice in her memories of her dog, Molly, by creating a memory jar. 

This may be a useful tool for grieving children and families.

Sammy in the sky by Barbara Walsh, paintings by Jamie Wyeth.

Sammy in the sky by Barbara Walsh, paintings by Jamie Wyeth. Candlewick Press 2011. 

Beautifully illustrated, this story deals with the realities of death and grief – and children’s questions – in an approachable and age-appropriate way.

Missing Jack by Rebecca Elliott.

Missing Jack by Rebecca Elliott. Lion Children’s 2015. 

A lovely story about a pet cat growing old, and the eventual adoption of a new cat. Simple, sparse text highlights the emotion of the narrator.

The invisible leash by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.

The invisible leash by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Little, Brown and Company 2019. 

A comforting picture book about finding solace after the death of a pet.

The message may not work for all children, as it is quite twee and cutesy.

Tulip and Lupin forever by Mireille Levert, translated by Elisa Amado

Tulip and Lupin forever by Mireille Levert, translated by Elisa Amado. Groundwood Books 2009. 


Tulip, the watering fairy, grieves the death of her dog bee, Lupin. She sets out on an adventure, as she is too sad to stay at home, with the absence of Lupin. Returning home, she finds a puppy dog bee, whom she calls Lupino. 

Lovely and slightly surreal. 

Tim’s goodbye by Steven Salerno

Tim’s goodbye by Steven Salerno. Farrar Straus Giroux 2018. 


Sad after the death of her pet turtle, Margot’s friends gather for a farewell ceremony, and Tim is sent into the sky – with balloons (an ecological no-no). 

I’m sure this fills a need for some, but there are better books for this age group around. 

All the dear little animals by Ulf Nilsson

All the dear little animals by Ulf Nilsson, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, translated by Julia Marshall.
Gecko Press 2006. 

Ah, the obsessions of childhood. For these children, it is burying all the dead animals they can lay their hands on – including roadkill. They hold beautiful funerals and, as they are doing so, the older children explain death to Puttie, the little brother (whose fears and concerns are sometimes brushed aside by his very organising older sister, Esther). Cute and uncomplicated, this would make a good text to explain what death is, before it becomes an issue.

A stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker

A stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker. Candlewick Press 2018. 


A wordless picture book which enables you to project your own story onto it. A young family holiday without their beloved dog, Sascha, whose burial is at the start of the story. On vacation, the girl finds a stone, which has travelled through space and time, to provide comfort to her.