Explaining Death to Children
Books That Help Children to Understand the Loss of a Loved One
It has become increasingly common for adults to turn to literature as a way of explaining bereavement to children of all ages. Reading about characters who are also experiencing the loss of a loved one can help children to feel less alone in their grief and also give them a sense that they will eventually be able to overcome the pain of loss.
There are a wide variety of books concerning the issue of bereavement available for children of all ages.
Preschool
Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley – A classic story about the death of Badger and the sadness that his friends feel when he is gone. Badger was old and in pain and, eventually, his friends realise that death was a happy release for him and so they are able to look back on their memories of Badger with happiness rather than just dwelling on the grief they felt after his death.
Granpa by John Burningham – The beautiful story of the close bond between a little girl and her grandfather and how their relationship enriches both of their lives. When her grandfather dies, although the little girl continues to miss him, she is comforted by the happy memories of their time together and the joy that he brought into her life.
Ages 5 to 8
Michael Rosen’s Sad Book by Michael Rosen – An illustrated book about coping with sad times. The saddest thing for Michael Rosen is thinking about his son who died and he writes about his sadness, how if effects him and the things he does to try and overcome it.
Gentle Willow by Joyce C. Mills – This story is one of few books written for children suffering an illness from which they may not recover. Telling the tale of Amanda and Little Tree who discover that their friend Gentle Willow isn’t feeling very well, this book helps to address feelings of sadness, worry, anger, love and compassion.
Ages 8 to 12
When Someone Very Special Dies by Marge Heegaard – A practical workbook rather than a story, this book encourages children to illustrate and personalise their thoughts about loss through art. This is a very effective way to help children understand the concept of death and how to cope with grief.
The Cat Mummy by Jacqueline Wilson – On the surface, this superb story is the tale of a feisty young girl called Verity trying to come to terms with the death of her much-loved cat but it soon develops into something much more as the death of her cat prompts Verity to think about the death of her mother many years ago.
What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? by Trevor Romain – A thought provoking book that describes the huge range of emotions that people go through when a loved one dies and discusses how to cope with such a situation.
Teenagers
Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers by Earl A. Grollman – A self-help book aimed at teenagers that discusses, in relatively straightforward terms, how to deal with the grief and other emotions caused by the death of a loved one.
The Grieving Teen by Helen FitzGerald – A fairly sophisticated book that gives advice specifically tailored for teens on how to cope with death, discussing the emotional impact of bereavement and the special needs and concerns of teens during the grieving process.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom – This is a fairly simple book that doesn’t so much discuss heaven in the literal sense as it establishes that every life has a purpose and that all uncertainties will be cleared up in the end.
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