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
Where Are You, Lydie?
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
The Goodbye Book
El Libro del Adiós
The Girl Who Said Hello to Everyone
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
When Something Terrible Happens
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
The Golden Sweater
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