Patey’s Recommended Children’s Books on Empathy, Grief and Death
Children are capable of taking part in real topics. I understand that so many of us don’t know what to say when hard times inevitably show up. So here are some of my favourite children books that can help explain empathy, grief, mental health and death. The Invisible String is a fantastic one, but here are some other good ones. I read as many as I could find, and I’ll keep reading, so keep coming back for updates.
Rabbit Listened
by Cori Doerrfeld
My favourite book (for everyone, despite it being a children’s book) on true empathy and what most people need during a challenging time: to be heard! Listen!
Lasting Love
by Caroline Wright
The best book I have yet to come across, describing a parent’s love after their death. Hits you in all the feels. Written by a mother using the time she has left with her children exceptionally well. A MUST read for all humans who love and are loved by littler humans.
Place in my Heart
by Annette Aubrey
Lower preschooler to lower elementary appropriate book on grief. A little boy and his parent lose their grandfather/father. They reminisce and remember him. The book includes a parent and teacher guide to discussing the book with children and what questions to ask to prompt discussions.
Samantha Jane's Missing Smile
by Julie Kaplow & Donna Pincus
An excellent book for elementary school aged books. A story that explains grief and compares it to metaphores that children can understand. The back of the book included advice to adults dealing with the grief of children. An excellent resource.
Angus is Here
by Hadley Dyer
A moving book about Pet Loss. A story about a little boy whose family deals with the loss of their beloved dog. Good for Elementary aged children.
What does Grief Feel Like?
by Korie Leigh Ph.D
Excellent resources in this book to help children with grief. It includes hands-on activities that one can do with children to deal with their grief.
There was a Hole
by Adamn Lehrhaupt
A great book for Elementary aged children that helps them address hole they may feel that comes from loss and grief.
On the News
by Dr. Jillian Roberts
A wonderful, reassuring yet honest book about tragedies that affect the world and our communities that directly addressed the collective grief that children can feel when watching difficult events unfold. With easier access to news these days, children could use this book’s explanations on what to do when challenging events occur.
Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss
by Chuck DeKlyen and Pat Schwiebert
An excellent book about grieving. It looks at grief like a soup that includes necessary ingredients. It has excellent resources and advice for people of all ages. Do note that the book refers to a religious notion of God. A book for 10 year olds to adults.
Grief on the Playground
by Shanice McLeish
A lovely book about a little girl who loses a parent and is now facing the grief rollercoaster. Great symbolism for children, aged Preschool to upper Elementary. Written by an author who lost her father as an 8 year old.
Goodbye A First Conversation About Grief
by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
An excellent book discussing the topic with a variety of perspectives. It is current, diversity minded and an honest look at death in our culture.
My Big Dumb Invisible Dragon
by Angie Lucas
A sweet book comparing a child’s grief to a dragon’s presence. Not my favourite book about Grief, but not bad. A good depiction that Grief/the dragon’s presence can change over time.
Can I Catch it Like a Cold? Coping with a Parent’s Depression
by The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
A great resource for supporting children with parents or relatives dealing with depression.
Memory Jars
by Vera Brosgol
A gentle book about keeping memories of things and people we love alive. Nostalgic and loving. Refers to the death of a grandfather, the grief over a friend moving away. Reminds us that there are things we can do to commemorate those we love.
Happy-Sad Today
by Lori Britain
Know that children begin having and understanding that feelings can be mixed and that we can feel more than one feeling at a time, at around 5-6 years of age. This is a great book to show lower elementary school aged children that two or more feelings can co-exist in us over situations we come across.