Illinois Family Resources

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Books that Span Preschool and Grade School

There are many resources that can easily be divided into three age ranges (“very young children,” “grade school,” and “teens”), but children’s books about loss and grieving are not among them. Many of the wonderful books that are available were written for kids in a much wider age range.

So, this collection makes room for the large group of books that were written for preschoolers and grade school students—and, in a few cases, for toddlers, too.

There Was a Baby

Ages 1-11

Help for families in explaining a miscarriage or the loss of a baby to other children in the family

Our Dad Died

Ages 2-11

The journal of three kids whose lives changed after the death of their father, offering experiences and suggestions

Jared's Cool-Out Space

Ages 2-12

Teaches the value of the "positive time-out" to help kids learn self-soothing skills and cope with difficulty

The Dreams We Made

Ages 2-8

A little girl grieving the death of her father learns she can take lost loved ones with her

The Grief Rock

Ages 3-7

A gentle story to help young children understand, carry, and express grief, in spite of significant losses in their lives

The Invisible String

Ages 3-7

About the unbreakable connections among loved ones and how they help us cope with loss

Where Are You, Lydie?

Ages 3-7

A story to help young children and their parents explore death and bereavement together

My Yellow Balloon

Ages 3-8

A tale of love, loss, and letting go, for young children who are navigating the emotions of grief

Forever Connec-ted

Ages 3-9

Four children experience loss and learn of connections that death cannot break

The Goodbye Book

Ages 3-10

The story of a teen's journey through her mother's terminal illness

El Libro del Adiós

3-10

Una historia conmove-dora y esperanzadora a sobre decir adiós a alguien a quien amas

The Girl Who Said Hello to Everyone

Ages 3-10

About family, friendship, kindness, and believing in yourself

The ABCs of Grief

Ages 3-10

Relevant to all types of loss and grief, especially for children trying to make sense of big changes and losses

Cry, Heart, But Never Break

Ages 3-10

The story of four siblings who learned about loss and saying goodbye through their grandmother's illness

Llora, Corazón, Pero No Te Rompas

De 3 a 10 años

La historia de cuatro hermanos que aprendieron sobre la pérdida y la despedida

When Something Terrible Happens

Ages 4-6

Helps children explore the fright, confusion, and grief of traumatic events

Up Toward the Light

Ages 4-7

From surprising loss to new-found strength, this story starts when a little boy meets a wise red oak

Cape

Ages 4-8

In this story about loss and love and memories, a young child learns that even superheroes hurt sometimes

My Big Dumb Invisible Dragon

Ages 4-8

A young boy comes to terms with loss and grief after the death of his mother

The Golden Sweater

Ages 4-8

A story of grief, strength, love, and finding your way in a world without your person

El Suéter Dorado

De 4 a 8 años

Una historia de dolor, fortaleza, amor y cómo encontrar tu camino en un mundo sin tu persona

The Rough Patch

Ages 4-8

About the loss of a best friend, the feelings of grief, and renewal, to help kids learn to accept loss and work through the grieving process

A Garden of Creatures

Ages 4-8

The story of a bunny dealing with loss and trying to find answers to some big questions (and looking for those answers with the help of a wise cat

It's Okay: Being Kind to Yourself When Things Feel Hard

Ages 4-9

Uses affirmations to help kids practice self-compassion when they are experiencing loss...

A World of New Beginnings

Ages 4-10

This little book normalizes children's emotions during a big move and makes it safe to express them

When Someone Dies

Ages 4-10

This book helps kids explore and understand their feelings about loss, looking at death through a child's eyes

The Memory Book

Ages 4-10

An interactive grief journal for children and families who are struggling with memories of their lost loved one

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