Children’s Books About Death

 

Death is a complex topic for anyone to discuss, especially children. Most young ones have not experienced loss and do not understand the concept of death or grief. This doesn’t, however, mean that you shouldn’t talk about these topics with your children, particularly if they have recently lost a loved one. Children’s books are an excellent way to introduce these topics in an age-appropriate way that can communicate the overarching fears and themes of loss while still normalizing the feelings children may be feeling as they grieve.

Here are just a few of our recommendations for children’s books about death:

Rabbityness by Jo Empson
Centered around a rabbit who fills the woods around him with color, this book teaches children that even when our loved ones are gone, we can still do happy things to remember them. This short yet poignant book beautifully conveys the message, showing children that there are still ways to cope with death while making you and others happy. The artwork is also whimsical and colorful, complementing the story perfectly.

Mother’s Jumper by Jayde Perkin
We love this book because of the way it discusses grief. Using a little girl’s mother’s sweater to represent her grief, the book explains that “grief may stay the same size. But my world will grow bigger around it.” This quote recognizes the pain children may feel with loss and respect that they may always grieve but that life still has many beautiful things left to offer.

Where are You? A Child’s Book About Loss by Laura Olivieri
As we all should remember, memories of our loved ones are powerful and can keep even those we have lost alive in our hearts. This book reminds us of just that. Written by a parent helping her young son cope with the loss of his father, we appreciate that this book discusses some of the most complicated questions about death, such as where people go when they pass away. In the end, Olivieri gives some practical suggestions for continuing the discussion about death with your children.

I Miss You: A First Look At Death by Pat Thomas
This book is excellent for kids of all ages and encourages readers to pause and ask themselves about their feelings and experiences. For example, who can you talk to when you’re feeling sad, and what can you do to help you feel better? It thoughtfully discusses the feelings that come with grief and lets children know that it’s okay and normal to feel those things. It also discusses how different cultures view and deal with death. This book is both conversational and educational, making it a great way to start meaningful discussions with your young ones.

What Happens When A Loved One Dies? Our First Talk About Death by Dr. Jillian Roberts
We love that this book is a kid-friendly resource for all things death. With both text and illustrations, it discusses essential yet difficult questions about topics such as the afterlife, funerals, and memorials. It also discusses death in different cultures. While straightforward, this book is still gentle in nature and great for kids of all ages who may have questions about loss and grieving.


Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. We will do whatever it takes to make our workplace environment positive and translate to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

Sources:

1.        https://www.forjudeforeveryone.com/childrens-books-about-loss-and-grief/

2.        https://www.portrayyourstory.co.uk/childrens-books-on-death-loss-and-grief/

3.        https://www.griefandsympathy.com/books-on-death-and-grief.html