Even if it's not quite for your child's age group, some of the picture books and others listed here can be powerful resources. Of course, some will definitely be a stretch. However, it could be about framing the book as something you wanted to read together, or want to know what they think about it for a younger kid they know, etc. Especially if you have children of different ages who you are trying to broach the topic with. You can achieve the same goals to make clear to children that death is irreversible, nonfunctional (e.g. the person's lungs don't breathe anymore), and universal (per "Children's understanding of death: A review of three components of a death concept" by Speece & Brent, 1984). Perhaps some of these books can help you to create a safe space for emotional expression and/or questions and dispel any misconceptions they may have.

Disclaimer that I have not personally read and analyzed all these books but gathered from other resources. For those that I have read and reviewed, check out the post below.

Book Reviews: For Children
This list will be regularly updated as I read more books and review! Find information here on my recommendations, commentary, and age ranges.
Shedding Light on Child LifeAnisha Reza

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Even better to support a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Bookstore! Especially when ordering books by BIPOC authors! My available recommendations are located in a wishlist for adults and a wishlist for kids. Get 20% off your first order through Bookshop below (learn about them here).

Bookshop Referral Link

Picture books post from whatsyourgrief.com: Part 1, Part 2

@maistorybooklibrary on Instagram: great follow for picture books, all books listed in this reel already included below

Feelings

  • Double-Dip Feelings: Stories to Help Children Understand Emotions by Barbara S. Cain
  • Sometimes I Feel Like a Mouse by Jeanne Modesitt

General loss and maintaining connection with loved ones:

  • list on death and dying at link here
  • Children's Hospital of Orange County Book Resource List
  • Invisible String by Patrice Karst (El Hilo Invisible available in Spanish)
  • Grief is an Elephant by Tamara Ellis Smith
  • A Garden of Creatures by Sheila Heti
  • See You on the Other Side by Rachel Montez Mino
  • You'll Be There by Amanda Rawson
  • The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia: to help understand that the person is dead

Loss of an aunt: Zora, the Story Keeper by Ebony Joy Wilkins

Loss of a grandfather: The Heart Never Forgets by Ana Ot

Loss of a grandmother: Abuela's Letter by Debbie Zapata

Loss of a father: The Dreams We Made by Lisa Bentley

Loss of a loved one to substance abuse/overdose: All the Pieces by Hallie Riggs

Loss of loved one to suicide: Why by Melissa Allen Heath

Loss of a mother: Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder (graphic novel for teens), Empty and Me by Azam Mahdavi

Loss of parent: please see "loss of a father," "loss of mother," Dancing at a Pity Party by (graphic novel for teens)

Loss of a peer/friend: Missing Violet by Kelly Swemba

Loss of a pet: An Ofrenda for Perro by Judith Valdés B.

Loss of a sibling: Remembering Ethan by Lesléa Newman

Loss of unborn baby sibling due to miscarriage: Dear Star Baby by Malcolm Newsome

Shedding Light on Child Life is an independent publication launched in November 2024 by Anisha S. Reza, MS, CCLS. All posts and resources are curated from this author's professional opinion and expertise. Any questions, comments, or requests can be directed via email to childlifewithanisha@gmail.com.