My Henry by Judith Kerr.

My Henry by Judith Kerr. HarperCollins 2011. 

A heart-wrenchingly poignant story of life after the death of a beloved husband. Written as a picture book, this is much more suited to adult sensibilities – although it could be used as a starting point to discuss adult grief, perhaps after the death of a grandparent – or even imagination, or the afterlife.

The purple balloon by Chris Raschka

The purple balloon by Chris Raschka. Schwartz & Wade Books 2007.  

Written in conjunction with a children’s hospice organisation, this is a simple and straightforward introduction to coping around death.

Grandad by Janet Pereira

Grandad by Janet Pereira, illustrated by Bruce Potter. Reed 2006. 

Grandad is a vibrant, loving character, who ages through the book. His aging, death, and the funeral process are honestly – yet lovingly – portrayed in a book that resonates with its New Zealand setting. Individual preferences for arrangements are highlighted, and the importance of telling the truth. 

Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn

 

Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Rachel Driscoll. Scholastic 2009. 

Also published in te reo Māori as Hūhū Koroheke na Kyle Mewburn i tuhi; nā Rachel Driscoll nga whakaahua; nā Katerina Te Keikoko Mataira nga kupu Māori. 

Old Hu-Hu dies after flying to the moon – forgetting he was old. Hu-Hu-Tu keeps looking for Old Hu-Hu, following the clues given by other insects, until he finds Old Hu-Hu in his heart. 

A lovely story of cherishing memories and shared experiences. 

The lilac ladies by Jenny Hughes

The lilac ladies by Jenny Hughes, illustrated by Jonathan Bentley. Hardie Grant Egmont 2013. 

A lovely story of four friends who rely on Nelly to make everything right – until Nelly can’t help any more. They gather at Nelly’s to reminiscence and let Nelly go. How will be they continue without her? Well, she wouldn’t want them to wallow – so they pick themselves up and carry on - and in the memory of their very dear friend, Nelly. 

The goodbye book by Todd Parr

The goodbye book by Todd Parr. Little, Brown and Company 2015. 

Although not specifically looking at death – this is a wonderful book looking at the feelings around a loss.

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems, illustrated by Jon J Muth. Hyperion Books for Children, 2010.

A story of friendship and changing times and seasons – the life cycle. 
City Dog and Country Frog become friends one spring, and play in summer and autumn, when City Dog visits the country. Come winter, Country Frog has gone, and City Dog waits and misses his friend. 
The next spring, Country Chipmunk meets City Dog. 
Although lovely and touching, it is not explicitly about death and grief.