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.

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.

Happy hearts by Jevita Nilson and Marina Zlatanova.

Happy hearts: a heart-warming story about finding peace & comfort after loss by Jevita Nilson; illustrated by Marina Zlatanova. New Holland 2020.

Zachary tries to understand what heaven is like, and wonders whether his Nanna is happy there.
A magical night adventure with Nanna helps him to come to peace with Nanna's death.

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.

A beginner's guide to the end by BJ Miller, MD and Shoshana Berger.

A beginner's guide to the end: practical advice for living life and facing death by BJ Miller, MD and Shoshana Berger. Quercus 2019.

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.

Thimble by Rebecca Young and Tull Suwannakit.

Thimble by Rebecca Young; illustrated by Tull Suwannakit. Scholastic 2018.

A treasure of a book.
A story of lessons learned, taught with love.
Mabel's Grandma has just died, and her Mum is helping Grandad to cook.
Meanwhile, Mabel explores Grandma's garden, with Grandma's thimble connecting her to Grandma's teaching.

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. 

All that remains by Sue Black

All that remains: a life in death by Sue Black. Doubleday 2018.

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.