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Death and Dying: Books for Young Children
Friend | General | Parent | Pet | Older Relative | Sibling | Terminally Ill
These are books recommended for parents to help young children cope with death and dying. Click on the title to see the catalog record. The book's call number follows the author's name.
Friend
I Had a Friend Named Peter by Janice Cohn J/155.9/COH
When Betsy learns about the death of a friend, her parents and kindergarten teacher answer questions about dying and funerals, and the burial process. (32p)
Rudi's Pond by Eve Bunting E/BUNTING
When a sick boy dies, his friends and classmates remember him by building a schoolyard pond in his memory. (32p)Top of page
General
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages by Leo Buscaglia J/155.9/BUS
As Freddie experiences the changing seasons along with his companion leaves, he learns about the delicate balance between life and death. (32p)
The Goodbye Boat by Mary Joslin E/JOSLIN
Presents the phenomena of grief and loss and the concept that death is not the end. (unp)
The Kid's Book About Death & Dying by and for kids J/155.9/KIDS
Fourteen children offer facts and advice to give young readers a better understanding of death. (119p)
Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie J/155.9/ME
Explains in a sensitive and caring manner that the death of a pet or someone special is a natural process. (40p)
Thumpy's Story by Nancy C. Dodge J/155.9/THU
In a warm and sensitive way the story of a rabbit's family losing a sister, will help children deal with the loss of a loved one. (20p)
When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death by Laurene Brown J/155.9/BRO
Explains in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died. (32p)Top of page
Parent
Bye, Mis' Lela by Dorothy Carter E/CARTER
At first, Sugar Plum cries when her mother leaves her with Mis' Lela, but the happy days they spend together make Sugar Plum want to remember her, even after she dies. (unp)
The Day Before Christmas by Eve Bunting E/BUNTING
Four years after the death of her mother, seven-year-old Allie goes with her grandfather to a performance of "The Nutcracker" on Christmas Eve, hears about the special day he had with her mother going to her first "Nutcracker" and shares his loving memory of her. (26p)
How it Feels When a Parent Dies by Jill Krementz J/155.9/KRE
Eighteen young people ranging in age seven to sixteen discuss the questions, fears, and bereavement they experienced when one of their parents died. (110p)
Mama by Eleanor Schick E/SCHICK
A child remembers special moments with Mama and starts to feel better after grieving over her death. (unp)
Saying Goodbye to Daddy by Judith Vigna E/VIGNA
Frightened, lonely, and angry after her father is killed in a car accident, Clare is helped through the grieving process by her mother and grandfather. (32p)
Some of the Pieces by Melissa Madenski E/MADENSKI
A year after the death of their father, two children and their mother try to come to terms with their loss. (unp)Top of page
Pet
Alfie and the Birthday Surprise by Shirley Hughes E/HUGHES
The death of Bob's cat prompts his friends and family to give him a surprise birthday party and a very special present. (unp)
Angel Cat by Michael Garland E/Garland
After two children lose one of their cats in a car accident, their mother tells them their cat is now an angel that will watch over them. (32p)
Goodbye, Mitch by Ruth Wallace E/WALLACE-BRODEUR
A young boy describes how he feels when the family cat dies. (32p)
The Old Dog by Charlotte Zolotow E/ZOLOTOW
When a young boy finds his old dog dead one morning, he spends the rest of the day thinking about all the good times they had together. (30p)
Toby by Margaret Wild E/WILD
When Toby the dog gets old and sick and finally dies, the children who love him express their love in different ways. (29p)Top of page
Older Relative
Christmas Moon by Denys Cazet E/CAZET
Patrick misses Grandpa, especially at Christmas, but his mother helps him remember happy times with Grandpa and to use what Grandpa taught him to make Christmas happy for himself and his friends. (32p)
Fireflies, Peach Pies, & Lullabies by Virginia Kroll E/KROLL
When Francie's Great-Granny Annabelle dies from Alzheimer's disease, Francie finds a way to help people remember the real person rather than the shell she had become as the disease ran its course. (32p)
Grandad Bill's Song by Jane Yolen E/YOLEN
A boy asks others how they felt when his grandfather died and then shares his own feelings. (unp)
Grandpa's Soup by Eiko Kadono E/KADONO
After the death of his wife, an old man gradually realizes that making the soup she used to cook and sharing it with friends eases his loneliness. (32p)
I Have an Olive Tree by Eve Bunting E/BUNTING
After her grandfather's death, eight-year-old Sophia fulfills his last request and journeys to Greece with her mother to see the land where her roots are. (unp)
Liplap's Wish by Jonathan London E/LONDON
As he builds a snowbunny, Liplap feels something is missing and wishes his grandmother who recently died was with him. (28p)
My Grandma Leonie by Bijou LeTord E/LETORD
A child describes all the things she did with her grandmother and how she felt when her grandmother died. (29p)
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie De Paola E/DEPAOLA
A small boy enjoys his relationship with his grandmother and his great-grandmother, but he soon learns to face their inevitable death. (28p)
Old Pig by Margaret Wild E/WILD
Because Old Pig knows that her time to die is near, she puts her affairs in order and takes a slow walk with her granddaughter to savor the beauty for one last time. (28p)
Saying Good-bye to Grandma by Jane Thomas E/THOMAS
Seven-year-old Suzie is curious and fearful about what Grandma's funeral will be like. (48p)
The Two of Them by Aliki E/ALIKI
Describes the relationship of a grandfather and his granddaughter from her birth to his death. (30p)
What's Heaven? by Maria Shriver E/SHRIVER
After her great-grandmother's death, a young girl learns about heaven by asking her mother all kinds of questions. (unp)
When Grandpa Came to Stay by Judith Caseley E/CASELEY
When grandpa comes to his house to stay, Benny enjoys his company and helps him cope with Grandma's death. (32p)
You Hold Me and I'll Hold You Jo Carson E/CARSON
When a great-aunt dies, a young child finds comfort in being held and in holding, too. (29p)Top of page
Sibling
When I Die, Will I Get Better? by Joeri Breebaart J/155.9/BRE
A six-year-old boy tries to come to terms with the death of his younger brother by creating a story about rabbit brothers that closely parallels his own experiences. (32p)Top of page
Terminally Ill
Painting Sunsets with the Angels by Vann Wesson J/155.9/WES
With the help of an angel, David finds ways to bring comfort and peace to his sister so she can be happy again after his death. (unp)Top of page
