The bear and the wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto, illustrated by Komako Sakai, translated by Cathy Hirano. Gecko Press 2011.
A bear grieves deeply for his friend, a little bird. No one seems understand, and look at him oddly, as he carries a box with his friend in it, around with him. One day, after an indeterminate, but extended, time later, he meets a wildcat. The wildcat sympathises with the bear’s loss, and gives him the chance to build a new life.
Verging on the allegorical, this is a subdued – in tone and illustration – look at grief and how all-consuming it can be.
The harmonica by Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Andrew Burdan. Scholastic 2016.
Carlos finds his late uncle’s harmonica in the attic. Uncle Jack died, presumably in war, before Carlos was born. Carlos feels connected to his uncle through the music of the harmonica.
A gentle story, which emphasises the importance of family memory and connection.
My father’s arms are a boat by Stein Erik Lunde, illustrated by Øyvind Torseter, translated by Kari Dickson. Enchanted Lion Books 2013.
Very understated. So much so, I missed the fact the mother had died the first time I read it. It is a lovely story about care and love, but definitely for older audiences, and more as a conversation starter, than a guide to grief and bereavement.
Samantha Jane’s missing smile: a story about coping with the loss of a parent by Julie Kaplow and Donna Pincus, illustrated by Beth Speigel. Magination Press 2007.
Obviously written so that aspects of the grief process can be raised, discussed and dealt with. Often, with such didactic stories, the story part misses out. Although not the greatest story, and the purpose behind it is very obvious to the adult reader, this reads quite well.
Jenny Angel by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Anne Spudvilas. Viking 1999.
Jenny tries her best to save her little brother, Davy, but nothing she – his self-appointed guardian angel – can do will stop his decline. A story of wishing, and hoping, and making deals. Touching, and otherworldly, this could help start a discussion about the futility of deal-making with the ‘universe’ in the event of an upcoming death.
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. 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.
