Children's books about grief and loss

A Leaf Called Greaf

Kelly Canby

A stunning new picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Kelly Canby that gently introduces the concept of grief to children.

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

Paperback

Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between

Robert Ingpen,Bryan Mellonie

Have you ever wondered why a butterfly lives for only a few weeks? Or why a tree lives for hundreds of year? You may have been sad when someone in…

In stock at 8 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 8 shops

Paperback

This Is Not a Sad Book (But It’s OK to Feel Sad)

Elizabeth Vercoe

Fully revised edition of the award-winning, practical, compassionate guide full of strategies and ideas to support teenagers through grief, loss and hard times.

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

Paperback

The Invisible String

Patrice Karst, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (illus.)

An under-the-radar bestseller that has helped countless readers of all ages across the world cope with separation anxiety, loss, loneliness, and grief–now available in paperback and re-illustrated for a new…

In stock at 6 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 6 shops

Paperback

Badger’s Parting Gifts: 35th Anniversary Edition of a picture book to help children deal with death

Susan Varley

Features a helpful reading guide from Child Bereavement UK that provides tips for reading Badger’s Parting Gifts with children and helping them better understand grief.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Paperback

The Invisible Leash: A Story Celebrating Love After the Loss of a Pet

Patrice Karst

From the author of the picture book phenomenon The Invisible String, which has sold over half a million copies to date, comes a moving companion title about coping with grief…

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

Paperback

Duck, Death and the Tulip

Wolf Erlbruch (Author)

In a strangely heart-warming and beautifully illustrated story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death.

In stock at 5 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 5 shops

Hardback

What Happens Next?

Shinsuke Yoshitake

A sensitive and gently humorous look at a little boy’s imaginings of where his Grandpa goes after he dies.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Hardback

Grandpa and the Kingfisher

Anna Wilson, Sarah Massini (illus.)

Life-affirming and lyrical, this beautiful picture book celebrates the awesome power of nature, while gently introducing young children to the concept of life and death. Over the course of a…

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Hardback

Bird is Dead

Tiny Fisscher

"An honest and simple exploration of death and grief for kids 4 to 8. With playful illustrations by a therapist-turned-artist, Bird is Dead uses humor to make death a more…

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Hardback

The Grief Rock

Natasha Daniels

A story for young children to understand grief through the analogy of a 'grief rock'. Featuring a parent/guardian section which offers strategies and exercises for parents to implement as they…

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Hardback

Small Things

Mel Tregonning

An ordinary boy in an ordinary world…With no words, only illustrations, Small Things tells the story of a boy who feels alone with his worries, but who learns that help…

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Paperback

We Need to Talk About Death

Sarah Chavez, Neon Squid

A book by historian and museum curator Sarah Chavez that helps grieving children understand what happens when we die, and celebrates the traditions people around the world use to honour…

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

Paperback

The Heart and the Bottle

Oliver Jeffers

Award-winning picture book star Oliver Jeffers explores themes of love and loss in this life-affirming and uplifting tale.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Paperback

When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide To Understanding Death

Laurie Krasny Brown,Marc Brown

Satisfying and comprehensive, this indispensable book is a comforting aid to help all children through a difficult time in their lives.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

Paperback

The Memory Tree

Britta Teckentrup

A beautiful and heartfelt story about the death of a loved one and the memories that comfort those left behind.

In stock at 3 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 3 shops

Hardback

The Goodbye Book

Todd Parr

In his signature kid-friendly way, Todd Parr tells a heartbreaking but hopeful story about saying goodbye to the people we love.

In stock at 4 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 4 shops

Paperback

The Tenth Good Thing about Barney

Judith Viorst

In an attempt to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the ten best things about his dead cat.

Available to order, ships in approx 2 weeksAvailable to order

Hardback

Let’s Talk About When Someone Dies: Starting conversations with children about death and bereavement

Molly Potter

From Molly Potter comes a picture book for starting conversations with children about death, bereavement and what happens next.

Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order

Paperback

If All the World Were…

Joseph Coelho

A moving, poetic picture book about the love between a grandfather and child. An ideal book for children who have lost a grandparent.

Available to order, ships in 3-5 daysAvailable to order

Hardback

The Boy and the Gorilla

Jackie Azua Kramer

This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss.

Available to order, ships in approx 2 weeksAvailable to order

Paperback

All the Dear Little Animals

Ulf Nilsson

A funny illustrated chapter book about three children who decide someone must bury all the world’s poor dead animals.

Available to order, ships in approx 2 weeksAvailable to order

Hardback

Cry, Heart, But Never Break

Glenn Ringtved

A beautiful, sensitive picture book about being able to say goodbye to those we love, while holding them in memory.

Available to order, ships in approx 2 weeksAvailable to order

Hardback

Bertolt

Jacques Goldstyn

A charming, touching story about an imaginative, introverted boy whose best friend is an old oak tree named Bertolt.

Available to order, ships in approx 2 weeksAvailable to order

Paperback

Michael Rosen’s Sad Book

Michael Rosen

A heartbreakingly honest account of a father’s grief for his son from the illustrious pairing of two former Children’s Laureates.

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops

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Children's books about grief and loss

A Leaf Called Greaf

Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between

This Is Not a Sad Book (But It’s OK to Feel Sad)

The Invisible String

Badger’s Parting Gifts: 35th Anniversary Edition of a picture book to help children deal with death

The Invisible Leash: A Story Celebrating Love After the Loss of a Pet

Duck, Death and the Tulip

What Happens Next?

Grandpa and the Kingfisher

Bird is Dead

The Grief Rock

Small Things

We Need to Talk About Death

The Heart and the Bottle

When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide To Understanding Death

The Memory Tree

The Goodbye Book

The Tenth Good Thing about Barney

Let’s Talk About When Someone Dies: Starting conversations with children about death and bereavement

If All the World Were…

The Boy and the Gorilla

All the Dear Little Animals

Cry, Heart, But Never Break

Bertolt

Michael Rosen’s Sad Book