Death is a hard topic to talk about yet a really important one. Whether your child is dealing with the death of a family pet, a grandparent or family member, a friend, neighbor, teacher; here are some wonderful books to share together that talk about the process of death. These books also have answers to questions that your children might have. The books with ** are my favorites.
Books for Children on Death and Dying
**
Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen
This is my
favorite book to use with children ages 4 and up that explains death in a
caring and beautiful way. It shows us through illustrations that dying is as
much a part of living as being born. Ages 4 and up
The
Goodbye Boat by Mary Joslin
This book describes death through pictures and words and
about saying goodbye. Ages 4 and up
When
Dinosaurs Die by Laurene Brown
This isn’t
a story about death but actually deals with chidlren’s fears of death by
answering basic questions. Ages 5-8
I Miss
You: A first look at Death by Pat Thomas
Written by
a psychotherapist and counselor this books helps children deal with
understanding death. Ages 4 and up
Where are
you? A Child’s book about loss by Lauren Olivieri
Ages 5 and
up
Why do
People Die? Helping your child understand with love and Understanding by
Cynthia MacGregor
This book
is a great comfort to children and adults and answers the questions that are
often asked when someone dies. A straightforward book for ages 7 and up.
I had a
friend named Peter: Talking to children about the death of a friend by Janice
Cohn
When Betsy
learns about the death of a friend she begins to learn about dying, funerals
and the burial process. Ages 5 and up
When a Pet
Dies by Fred Rogers
A Mr. Rodgers book about coping with the death of a pet.
Ages 5 and up
**My Pet
Died by Rachel Biale
A wonderful ‘let’s make a book together that you can do
with your child when dealing with a pet loss.
Some great pictures books to share with your child with death as a main theme are:
**The Tenth Good Thing about
Barney by Judith Viorst
**Saying Goodbye to Lulu by
Corinee Demas
The Accident by Carol
Carrick
**I remember Miss Perry by
Pat Brisson (dealing with the death of a teacher)
Jim’s dog Muffins by Miriam
Cohen
Ada’s pal by George Ella
Lyon
**Sammy in the Sky by
Barbara Walsh
**Badger’s Parting Gifts by
Susan Varley
**Harry and Hooper by
Margaret Wild
