Death & Grief Books for Kids

Hi, friends. For many adults, talking about death and grief with children feels overwhelming. We often struggle figuring out these things for ourselves - how in the world do we explain it to children?

However, just like with grown-ups, having the opportunity to discuss these topics directly can actually help kids have healthier, less chaotic experiences of death and grief. Books can be a great way to start the conversation. I remember going to a grief conference where a presenter emphasized using beautiful books to talk about grief with kids. This continues to feel resonant with me. Death and grief are often messy and stressful but a book with beautiful pictures and honest, well-written words can offer a child (and adults!) a calming, loving hub even if just for the span of the storytime.

I have curated a list of my favorite death and grief books for kids available now for free download here. Be warned that you, the reader, may very well cry when reading these. I sure did. Each book is beautifully illustrated (except for A Kids Book About Cancer by Dr. Kelsie Storm and Sarah Porter which has no pictures) and has sincerely written, easy-to-understand language. Most of the books feature Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) creators and/or BIPOC characters. This list also contains books on specific topics within death and grief, including stories on pet loss (An Ofrenda for Perro written by Judith Valés B), death of a sibling because of a miscarriage (Dear Star Baby written by Malcolm Newsome) and death of a parent by suicide (Why? written by Melissa Allen Heath) to name a few.

If you do have a kiddo in your life experiencing a death or grief, I hope this book list can be a helpful resource. I recommend always reading the book yourself before sharing it with a child, both to make sure it is appropriate for the situation and people involved and to be able to assess your own reaction to the story. It is absolutely ok for you to tear up or cry when reading to a child - this helps them see that feelings are normal and can be felt and shared in healthy ways - but if your reaction to the book does not feel good, it might be a good idea to choose a different story.

What books do you love on death and grief for kids? I am always looking for recommendations. Please let me know your go-to’s at neshia@athoughtfuldeath.com.