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.
Ocean meets sky by the Fan Brothers. Lincoln 2018.
A glorious journey into the imagination, one inspired by the memory of Finn’s beloved grandfather.
Death is not explained, nor even mentioned, in the text – but can be read into it by adult readers.
It is mystical and magical, and more allegorical than factual.
The fix-it man by Dimity Powell, illustrated by Nicky Johnston. EK Books 2017.
A young girl’s mother suffers from a long-term illness – one not fixable by anyone, including doctors. Her death is not stated in the text, and only obliquely referenced by the fix-it dad being broken, as is the girl. Together, though, they start to fix each other. ‘We can fix things together, just Dad and me.’
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.
Drop dead by Babette Cole. Random House 1996.
Babette Cole books are not for the faint-hearted. And this one is no exception. Grandparents share an abridged version of their life stories with their grandchildren – including the fact they will drop dead one day. The afterlife is offered as a series of options for ‘recycling’. Including, ‘two scrawny chickens.’
The lantern by Gary Crew, illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Hachette Children’s Books Australia 2005.
A story written to inspire hope – and ideas – rather than address grief and death. Aiden’s father goes missing at sea, and an old lantern gives Aiden visions of the past – of past missing people. It has an ambiguous and open-ended ending.
Grandpa’s angel by Jutta Bauer. Walker Books 2005. English translation of Opa’s engel.
Grandpa tells the story of his charmed life – in the illustrations you can see the handiwork of his much-put-upon angel. He is at the end of his life – which is shown in the illustration, and not the text. The grandson leaves the hospital, with Grandpa resting – and the angel follows.
I love this book, but it doesn’t really deal with death or grief.
Dog heaven by Cynthia Rylant. The Blue Sky Press 1995.
Cat heaven by Cynthia Rylant. The Blue Sky Press 1997.
Neither book deals with death, nor grief, but both are lovingly reassuring for anyone who has lost a pet.
Tear soup by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen, illustrated by Taylor Bills. Grief Watch 2004.
A well-meaning metaphorical tale of the overwhelming nature of grief, and that each individual’s experience is different.
Personally, I found it too ‘preachy’, too ‘try-hard’. A message book where the message overshadows literary quality.
The grandad tree by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Sharon Wilson. Walker Books 2000.
A soft-focus – in text and illustration – story about the importance of memories. The death of the beloved grandfather is mentioned only in passing.
Up in heaven by Emma Chichester Clark. Andersen Press 2003.
A comforting story of an old, much-loved, dog and her afterlife – and the lives of the human family she left behind. Daisy is old and wakes up in heaven. She looks down on Arthur, and finds ways to comfort him.
The memory tree by Britta Teckentrup. Orchard 2013.
Death is not explained in the text, rather the emphasis is on the value and importance of remembering loved ones, and the comfort found in these memories, and sharing stories.
When someone dies by Dawn Hewitt, illustrated by Ximena Jeria. Franklin Watts 2017.
Simple, yet factual and to-the-point, with basic information – including what is alive, and what is dead. It leaves space for adults to talk about how they – their family, culture, etc – deal with situations like funerals.
Sally goes to Heaven by Stephen Huneck. Abrams 2014.
Sally, a much-loved family pet, is tired and achy. One morning, she wakes up in Heaven. She is happy to be pain-free, and the afterlife is amazing. She just wishes she could tell her people she is fine. And, that her people find another dog to love, as they love her.
The pipi swing by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa, illustrated by Bruce Potter. Reed 2007.
The narrator’s father died four years earlier – victim of a drunk-driver. At 12, his daughter is settling in to life without her father, and shares stories of what life was like in the immediate aftermath of his death.
The story highlights how long grief lives – and that important people are still a part of everyday life. Her grandparents have invited her a special dance – something they used to do with her dad, their son, but have been unable to previously.
