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Books to Help Children and Young People Going Through Bereavement or Loss

There are many books that explore the topic of bereavement and loss. Reading books can be a helpful way to explore feelings about death and dying with children and young people who have been bereaved, as well as support them to feel less alone.

The books below may be helpful for staff supporting bereaved children and young people and are listed in age order, from young children to teenagers. The ages listed are a rough guide, please think about each individual child or young person you are supporting and ensure the book/story/resource is appropriate for them.

The Goodbye Book

(for younger children)

From bestselling author Todd Parr, a poignant and reassuring story about loss. Through the lens of a pet fish who has lost his companion, Todd Parr tells a moving and wholly accessible story about saying goodbye. Touching upon the host of emotions children experience, Todd reminds readers that it's okay not to know all the answers and that someone will always be there to support them.

Are you Sad, Little Bear?

(for ages 4 - 8)

Grandmother Bear has gone for ever, and Little Bear is feeling sad. His mother wisely suggests that perhaps asking his woodland companions what saying goodbye means to them will help him understand his loss. Little Bear's day of exploring and asking questions brings him comfort and hope.

This charmingly illustrated picture book will help young children in times of bereavement, loss or change, gently exploring the reasons for saying goodbye and giving reassurance that goodbye doesn't mean the end of things.

I Miss You

(for ages 4 - 8)

This reassuring picture book explores the difficult issue of death for young children. Children's feelings and questions about this sensitive subject are looked at in a simple but realistic way. This book helps them to understand their loss and come to terms with it.

Badger's Parting Gifts

(for ages 4 - 8)

Badger is so old that he knows he must soon die, so he does his best to prepare his friends. When he finally passes away, they are grief-stricken, but one by one they remember the special things he taught them during his life. By sharing their memories, they realise that although Badger is no longer with them physically, he lives on through his friends.

When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death

(for ages 4 - 8)

No one can really understand death but to children, the passing away of a loved one can be especially perplexing and troublesome. This is true whether the loss is a classmate, friend, family member or pet.

Some very wise dinosaurs are here to offer advice and reassurance to children. This succinct and thorough guide helps dispel the mystery and negative connotations associated with death, providing answers to some of the most-often asked questions. It also explores the feelings we may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to remember someone after he or she has died.

Always and forever

(for ages 4 - 8)

When Fox dies the rest of his family are absolutely distraught. How will Mole, Otter and Hare go on without their beloved friend? But, months later, Squirrel reminds them all of how funny Fox used to be, and they realise that Fox is still there in their hearts and memories.

Ida, Always

(for ages 4 - 8)

A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears. Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always. Then one sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn’t going to get better. The friends help each other face the difficult news with whispers, sniffles, cuddles, and even laughs. Slowly Gus realizes that even after Ida is gone, she will still be with him - through the sounds of their city, and the memories that live in their favourite spots.

Ida, Always is an exquisitely told story of two best friends - inspired by a real bear friendship - and a gentle, moving, needed reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always.

The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back: A Story for Children Who Have Lost Someone They Love

(for ages 4 - 8)

The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back is a story for children who have lost someone they love.

Eric is a sand dragon who loves the sea very much. Each day, he watches it going out and coming back, thinking about how beautiful his sea is. But one day, the sea goes out and does not come back. Eric waits and waits, but it does not come back - it feels as if he has lost everything. After many bleak days, Eric spots a little wild flower and he finds water to keep the flower alive. Eric starts to make a beautiful rock pool garden - he finds the courage to feel the full pain of his loss, instead of closing his heart. He realises that his memories of his precious sea are like a special kind of treasure in his mind, a treasure he will never lose.

Grandad's Island

(for ages 5 - 10)


When Syd and his Grandad go into the attic, they find themselves on a sailing ship travelling to a jungle-covered island. They have fun exploring the wonderful island and befriending its animals. Syd knows it will soon be time for him to go home, but Grandad decides to stay. Saying goodbye is hard as Syd returns home by himself, but he knows that Grandad will be happy staying in this beautiful place.

Sure to provide comfort to young children struggling to understand loss, Benji Davies’s tale is a sensitive and beautiful reminder that our loved ones live on in our memories long after they’re gone.

The Invisible String

(for ages 5 - 10)

“The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst addresses the issue of separation by reassuring children that even though they can’t always physically be with their loved ones, there is an invisible string always connecting them to the people they love, even from afar, even when you can’t see them. Recommended and adopted by bereavement support groups, hospice centres, foster care and social service agencies, and educators. The Invisible String offers a very simple approach to overcoming loneliness, separation, or loss with an imaginative twist that children easily understand and embrace, and delivers a particularly compelling message in today's uncertain times.

The Heart And The Bottle

(for ages 5 - 10)

Once there was a girl whose life was filled with wonder at the world around her… Then one day something happened that made the girl take her heart and put it in a safe place. However, after that the world seemed emptier than before. But would she know how to get her heart back?

In this deeply moving story, Oliver Jeffers deals with the weighty themes of love and loss with an extraordinary lightness of touch and shows us, ultimately, that there is always hope.

The Memory Box: A Book about Grief

(for ages 5 - 10)

From the perspective of a young child, author Joanna Rowland artfully describes what it's like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died. The child in the story wonders if she will forget the person who has gone, but also wonders if she'll ever stop feeling sad. The main character creates a memory box to keep mementos and written memories of her loved one to help with the grieving process. Throughout the narrative, the child's feelings are acknowledged, allowed, and assured that feelings are normal and healthy to express. Heartfelt and comforting, The Memory Box helps children, parents, educators, therapists, and social workers talk about this very difficult topic together.

The Memory Tree

(for ages 5 - 10)

A beautiful and heartfelt picture book to help children celebrate the memories left behind when a loved one dies.

Fox has lived a long and happy life in the forest, but now he is tired. He lies down in his favourite clearing, and falls asleep for ever. Before long, Fox's friends begin to gather in the clearing. One by one, they tell stories of the special moments that they shared with Fox. And so, as they share their memories, a tree begins to grow, becoming bigger and stronger with each memory, sheltering and protecting all the animals in the forest, just as Fox did when he was alive.

This gentle story about the loss of a loved one is perfect for sharing and will bring comfort to both children and parents.

One Wave at a Time : A Story about Grief and Healing

(for ages 5 - 10)

After his father dies, Kai experiences all kinds of emotions: sadness, anger, fear, guilt. Sometimes they crash and mix together. Other times, there are no emotions at all - just flatness. As Kai and his family adjust to life without Dad, the waves still roll in. But with the help of friends and one another, they learn to cope - and, eventually, heal. A lyrical story about grieving for anyone encountering loss.

Ollie the Octopus - Loss and Bereavement Activity Book: A Therapeutic Story with Activities for Children

(for ages 5 - 10)

In a magical underwater forest lived a colourful and loveable Octopus called Ollie, who loved swimming with his friends and spending time with his mum and dad, Orla and Orson the Octopuses. Until one day, Orla started to get very sick. The doctors did everything they could to help her, but very sadly, Orla died. Ollie had so many thoughts and feelings spinning around in his head, and his heart was hurting.

This activity book has been developed by expert child Psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Karen Treisman. The first part of the book is a colourful illustrated therapeutic story about Ollie the Octopus, with a focus on Ollie making sense of and processing the loss of his mum, Orla. This is followed by a wealth of creative activities and colourful worksheets. The final section of the book is full of advice and practical strategies for parents, carers, and professionals on how to help children to begin to understand the complex and multi-layered feelings surrounding loss and bereavement, and what they can do to help navigate them through their grief journey.

The Secret C

(for ages 7 - 10)

When a family member has cancer it is hard for everyone to understand.  It can be particularly difficult when a parent or carer faces the challenge of trying to explain to their child what cancer means and how it may affect their family.

This booklet is aimed at supporting parents or carers with this task, and encourages open communication and questions about cancer within the family.  Through pictures, captions and straightforward language, it explains how tumours are formed, what the various treatments are and how these may affect the person with cancer.  It stresses the need to keep to family routines and, importantly, to still try and have fun.

Milly's Bug-Nut

(for ages 9 - 12)

Milly knows that when people die they can't come back, not in the way we want them to.  But this doesn't stop Milly wishing a secret and very important wish.

Milly's Bug-Nut is the story of a family finding their way through bereavement and of Milly who finds an unexpected answer to her heart's desire.

Jill Janney, the author of Milly's Bug-Nut, wrote this story for her own children after the death of their father.

Michael Rosen's Sad Book

(for ages 9 and above)

A heartbreakingly honest account of a father’s grief for his son. A moving combination of sincerity and simplicity, it acknowledges that sadness is not always avoidable or reasonable and perfects the art of making complicated feelings plain. The book explores the different feelings that bereavement brings, as well as ways of coping with them - including distracting oneself and expressing feelings through writing. It also describes how Rosen was able to deal with his grief and think about the good times he had with his son.

Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine

(for ages 11 and under)

This hardback activity book offers invaluable practical and sensitive support for bereaved younger children.  Beautifully illustrated, it suggests a helpful series of activities and exercises accompanied by the friendly characters of Bee and Bear.

The book offers a structure and an outlet for the many difficult feelings which inevitably follow when someone dies.  It aims to help children make sense of their experience by reflecting on the different aspects of their grief.  At the same time, the book manages to find a balance between remembering the person who has died and having fun.

Out of the Blue

(for teenagers)

This book has been written and designed specifically for teenagers with aim of supporting them through their bereavement using a range of activities.

Narrated throughout by teenagers words and stories, the book talks openly about the real feelings they may struggle with when someone important in their life dies.  The activities in the book allow those feelings to be worked through and safely explored.  Each character in the book reinforces the message that "I'm not alone".  Out of the Blue can be completed by a teenager on their own or with the help of a family member or appropriate professional.

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Reviewed: Sept 2024

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