Children may grieve for lost loved ones in the form of family, beloved pets, community members lost to sickness or tragedy — there are so many ways that death creeps up and blindsides us. Our society has an unfortunate habit of downplaying or downright ignoring upsetting things, so frank conversations about loss and the long term effects of grief often go undiscussed. With or without an accompanying religious explanation, children need to hear that their painful emotions are valid. They also need help finding healthy ways to celebrate and remember their lost loved one. If a child (or any person, really) experiences the death of a loved one they saw regularly, I highly suggest reaching out to a mental health professional. Untreated loss can leave deep scars. However, there are things that can be done at a more personal level. I’ve rounded up children’s books about death that can spark important conversations. Many of these books use clear language and help the reader face uncomfortable emotions without euphemism. Others tell gentle stories that invite the reader to relate. All of them are designed to help children and the adults who love them process the loss of a loved one. No one ever wants to need children’s books about death, but hopefully you’ve found some that help the healing begin. Looking for books to support slightly older kiddos? Check out this list of middle grade books about grief.
