Dealing with Grief & Loss - Ages 3-8 Years

 

Baumgart, Klaus Laura's Star A hopeful storybook that deals with loss and encourages talking about feelings.

Biale, Rachel My Pet Died A therapeutic keepsake for toddlers and pre-school aged children dealing with the death of a beloved pet. Grief suggestions for adults and suggested activities.

Bunting, Eve Rudi's Pond A story about a young friend that dies from congenital heart problems.

Brown, Marc When Dinosaurs Die- A Guide to Understanding Death From the creator of Arthur. A practical and enticing story-book for ages 3-12 years.

Cain, Janan The Way I Feel Feelings come and go, sometimes when we least expect it. Ages 4-8 years.

Curtis, Jamie-Lee Today I Feel Silly Helps children identify a variety of feelings.

dePaola,Tomi Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs A story about a grandmother and great-grandmother living in the same house.

Dickerson, Julie Grandpa's Berries A granddaughter remembers her grandpa. A gentle way to learn about the life cycle.

Douglas, Eileen Rachel and the Upside Down Heart A mom and child grieve and adjust to changes after the child's dad dies.

Emberly, Ed & Miranda Glad Monster, Sad Monster This joyful and useful book enables children and adults to discuss feelings by using colorful masks that pop-up.

Fox, Mem Tough Boris An easy to read story about Boris the tough pirate who cries when his parrot dies. Ages 4-7 years.

Godwin, Patricia I Feel Orange today A cute story that connects feelings with feelings and life.

Greenlee, Sharon When Someone Dies A gentle story for ages 5 and up that focuses on the unanswerable questions about death and feelings of grief.

Hanks, Bernice Green Mittens From Grandma A young child remembers all the wonderful things about his grandmom.

Hanson, Warren The Next Place A magically illustrated book that encourages imagination and conversation. All ages.

Hodge, John Finding Grandpa Everywhere A young child discovers memories.

Holmes, Margaret A Terrible Thing Happened Concrete examples of common feelings and behaviors for children that have seen "something terrible". Especially useful for children ages 4-8 years that have witnessed something violent or traumatic. Encourages a child's self-expression through drawing and play. Helpful hints and bibliography included for helping adults.

Jerome, Karen If Nathan Were Here A sensitive and honest story about a child's best friend that dies and the people who help him get through grief. Ages 4-8 years.

London & Long Liplap's Wish A bunny wishes that his grandmother could return. For ages 4-7 years.

Marshall, Bridget Animal Crackers A child remembers her granny. Deals with aging and memory loss.

Mellonie & Ingpen Lifetimes A story about the process of life. Especially useful for ages 4-7 years.

Mills, Joyce Gentle Willow- A Story for Children about Dying Uses a squirrel's friendship with a tree to describe the dying process and feelings of loss.

Palmer, Pat I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand Helps children deal with the pain of loss. Including; divorce, death and a friend moving away.

Rylant, Cynthia Dog Heaven A whimsical story about what animals and people do in Heaven. For ages 3 and up.

Dr. Seauss My Many Colored Days A story that relates colors to feelings and relays the message that we all have a variety of emotions, and that's ok.

Turner, Barbara A Little Bit of Rob A heart-warming story about a girl's brother that died. Deals with children trying to keep their grief-related feelings from their parents.

Varley, Susan Badger's Parting Gifts Badger's friends are sad when he dies, but cherish the legacies he leaves them.

Viorist, Judith The Tenth Good Thing About Barney A cat dies and a young boy remembers good things about his life.

Winsch, Jane After the Funeral Deals with feelings and events that often occur over time. A variety of situations.

Wood, Audrey Quick as a Cricket A brief, whimsical story for young children that identifies actions and feelings and connects the images with animals.

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Activity Books/Journals

Boulden, Jim and Joan Good-bye Forever Coloring book for ages 3-6 years that deals with what happens when people die & feelings.

Boulden, Jim and Joan Saying Good-bye Coloring book for ages 6-10 years that deals with death, feelings awareness and remembrance.

Eldon, Amy Saying Good-bye Coloring book for ages 6-10 years that deals with death, feelings awareness and remembrance.

Eldon, Amy Angel Catcher for Kids A journal to help children remember the person who died. Ages 7-12 years.

Gaines-Lane, Gretchen My Memory Book Workbook and journal that helps children explore their feelings.

Goldman, Linda Bart Speaks Out Workbook for ages 7-12 years that attempts to break the shame and silence associated when a loved one dies from suicide.

Grollman and Johnson A Child's Book About Burial and Cremation Journal style workbook. Simple wording that is helpful for all ages, including adults.

Heegard, Marge When Someone Very Special Dies Activity book for ages 5 and up that helps children understand death and find healthy ways to cope.

Levine, Jennifer Remembering Special Days Workbook that focuses on remembering and living with changes. For ages 4 and up.

Salloum, Alison Reactions A workbook for ages 8 and up who are experiencing trauma and grief.

Silverman, Janis Help Me Say Goodbye Activities for all ages that help kids cope when a special person dies.

The Dougy Center After a Suicide - A Workbook for Grieving Children A comprehensive and commemorating workbook for children ages 4-13 years dealing with the death of a loved one by suicide. Answers common questions about suicide and offers ways to cope. Validates grief related feelings, dreams and nightmares. Offers suggestions on how to deal with friends and returning to school.

Wolfelt, Alan How I Feel A coloring book for younger grieving children.

Zotovich, Katherine Dorn Good Grief For Kids A journal to help children cope with their grief during times of loss. Parent info, including child development and grief, suggested reading and space for kids to color/journal. Ages 6-12 years.

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