Hazel's coping with all that is going on - her father is
dying and Hazel is trying to make sense of her changing world.
Hazel and the snails by Nan Blanchard, illustrated by Giselle Clarkson.
Lenny's book of everything by Karen Foxlee
I have read a lot of children's books on death, this is the
only one I can think of that ends so soon after the death. Instead, it focuses
on relationships and the growth of preparatory grief.
It is perfectly paced and nuanced. Each character plays
their roles, and there is little stereotyping.
The invisible leash by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.
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.
Mum’s jumper by Jayde Perkin
A simple, yet profound and moving
discussion on grief, rather than death, as a young girl adapts to life without
her mother.
The tiny star by Mem Fox, illustrated by Freya Blackwood
The tiny star by Mem Fox, illustrated by Freya
Blackwood. Puffin 2019.
An allegorical journey through a human life cycle from birth
to death.
As it is allegorical, the concept of death is not explicitly
stated, but the comfort in seeing their ‘star’ for years after, may be of use
for grieving children.
The community in this book is gloriously ethnically diverse.
It is a book that oozes warmth and comfort.
The bear and the wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto
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
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
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 by Julie Kaplow and Donna Pincus
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
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
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
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.
I miss you, Grandad by Ann de Bode
Quite straightforward and simplistic in its depiction of death, funerals, and a child’s worry about his grandad. The font tends towards looking Comic Sans, which, I assume, was chosen to make it more child-friendly / less serious / scary.
When goodbye is forever by Lois Rock
A religious, God-focussed look at death and grief. If you are not looking for a religious point-of-view, the majority of the book can still be of value, with its honest look at death and grief. It starts by discussing other goodbyes, which will make the topic more understandable for children.
Life is like the wind by Shona Innes
Life is like the wind by Shona Innes, illustrated by Írisz Agócs. Barron’s 2014. 
A straightforward, yet lyrical, explanation about death, grief, and the afterlife. It covers all religions – including reincarnation and heaven, and non-afterlife – and the feelings of grief, without being explicit or complicated. A good introduction.
A straightforward, yet lyrical, explanation about death, grief, and the afterlife. It covers all religions – including reincarnation and heaven, and non-afterlife – and the feelings of grief, without being explicit or complicated. A good introduction.
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