After I wrote The Cookie Jar Parable, I started getting requests from schools and counselors and families for copies of the book. Grief is a topic that we don’t associate with children very often, but it comes up more than we think. My own kids have already been through the loss of two great-grandparents. Books are one way that we can help them understand and process the new feelings that are associated with their loss. Here are a few recommendations for books that can help during such a difficult time.
Books to Help Young Kids With Grief
(Hover over each book cover image for an affiliate link to its Amazon page for more information.)
I Miss You: This book discusses death in secular (non-religious) terms that very young children can understand, and helps to show children that their feelings are valid and natural.
Another book about the loss of a grandparent, but this time told through the lens of animals, Goob and His Grandpa is part if the 7 Habits of Happy Kids series.
If you have a child who has recently had to say goodbye to a pet, check out Saying Goodbye to Lulu.
If you have any other suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience.
When my 7 year old son, Josh, lost a member of our Bible Study Group 2 months after diagnosis of brain cancer & shortly thereafter his babysitter was murdered by her ex-husband, he went into a deep depression & was acting out, including at school. We were already in the process of trying to diagnose whether or not he had depression or ADHD when these deaths occurred, setting us back from a diagnosis by 2 years. He was used to going to therapy, so another therapist wasn’t difficult for him. She gave him a book called “Somebody I loved Died.” It was great for opening up about what you loved about that person, and sometimes when reading the book together he would mix something about each person into the story. At the end of the book was a long, colorful page that was a list that would start off (for example): “(Name’s) favorite food was (enter food).” or “I liked doing (activity) with (name) the most.”
That book was so precious. When we were cleaning out the house prior to selling it (after my son finished college), I was surprised to see that he still had that book & chose to keep it again. He’s 32 now and his childhood things are slowly being gone through, as he has a 7 month old son now. It’s interesting to hear what Josh gets excited about rediscovering in his boxes. I’m sure that book will come in handy, as Wilson’s great grandmother is 90 now (& in good health at this point). Josh & his wife may need to read that book with Wilson when she passes away.
I am so sorry to hear about your son’s losses! Thank you for sharing the book that helped him.
I also have had to search this topic when my niece only lived 45 days here on Earth. My 5yr old daughter enjoyed the vibrarant pictures and simple wording of Patrice Karst’s book “The Invisible String”. She was able to make the connection from the book that love holds people together whether here on earth or in the skies above. Anytime we begin to feel sadness, we pull out this book and talk about our answers to the book’s questions. I think this book does a great job of addressing grief and loniless children may feel.