A Bookseller Recommends: Books on Death & Grieving for Kids

In this installment of A Bookseller Recommends, we recommend picture books for kids that can help with discussions on death & grieving.

Ida, Always By Caron Levis, Charles Santoso (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Caron Levis, Charles Santoso (Illustrator)
$19.99
ISBN: 9781481426404
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers - February 23rd, 2016

An honest, gentle and incredibly profound picture book that addresses terminal illness and death.


Death Is Stupid (Ordinary Terrible Things) By Anastasia Higginbotham, Anastasia Higginbotham (Illustrator) Cover Image
$19.95
ISBN: 9781948340397
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Dottir Press - August 4th, 2020

The Rabbit Listened By Cori Doerrfeld, Cori Doerrfeld (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Cori Doerrfeld, Cori Doerrfeld (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780735229358
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Dial Books - February 20th, 2018

A sweet and simple book that helps kids (and adults) remember that listening is often the best thing we can do when someone is struggling.


Maybe Tomorrow? (a story about loss, healing, and friendship) By Charlotte Agell, Ana Ramírez González (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781338214888
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Scholastic Press - March 26th, 2019

Former bookseller Zach says: One of the most accurate and accessible representations of grief and depression I have ever encountered. A truly heartwarming and beautiful book. You will cry.


Cape By Kevin Johnson, Kitt Thomas (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Kevin Johnson, Kitt Thomas (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250840509
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Roaring Brook Press - June 20th, 2023

The story of a child and his experience with his father's death on the day of his funeral.


A Map Into the World By Kao Kalia Yang, Seo Kim (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Kao Kalia Yang, Seo Kim (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781541538368
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Carolrhoda Books (R) - October 1st, 2019

Grandad's Camper By Harry Woodgate Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781499811933
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: little bee books - April 6th, 2021

An Ordinary Day By Elana K. Arnold, Elizabet Vukovic (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Elana K. Arnold, Elizabet Vukovic (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781481472623
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Beach Lane Books - March 10th, 2020

In this neighborhood's ordinary day a family says goodbye to a beloved family pet in one house and a new baby is born in another.


Always Sisters: A Story of Loss and Love By Saira Mir, Shahrzad Maydani (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Saira Mir, Shahrzad Maydani (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781665901567
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - August 22nd, 2023

With the help of her family, friends, and school counselor, Raya finds a way to grieve the loss of her unborn sister Nura, and to share the love she will always feel for her.


Because I Already Loved You By Andrée-Anne Cyr, Bérengère Delaporte (Illustrator) Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781773069739
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Groundwood Books - August 1st, 2023

A family supports one another as they grieve the loss of a stillborn baby.


Why?: A Story for Kids Who Have Lost a Parent to Suicide By Melissa Allen Heath, Frances Ives (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Melissa Allen Heath, Frances Ives (Illustrator)
$19.99
ISBN: 9781433841965
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Magination Press - September 5th, 2023

A Garden of Creatures By Sheila Heti, Esmé Shapiro (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Sheila Heti, Esmé Shapiro (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780735268814
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tundra Books - May 10th, 2022

This beautifully illustrated book offers a deeply moving, spiritual portrayal of death. When "toast-colored" bunny dies, her creature friends are able to understand their grief through nature and renewal.


The Circles in the Sky By Karl James Mountford, Karl James Mountford (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781536224986
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick Studio - September 27th, 2022

City Dog, Country Frog By Mo Willems, Jon J. Muth (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Mo Willems, Jon J. Muth (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781423103004
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Hyperion Books for Children - June 8th, 2010

Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler's Guide to Understanding Death By Bonnie Zucker, Kim Fleming (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Bonnie Zucker, Kim Fleming (Illustrator)
$16.99
ISBN: 9781433822667
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Magination Press - August 15th, 2016

Remembering By Xelena González, Adriana M. Garcia (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781534499638
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - August 29th, 2023

A family remembers their beloved pet dog through the traditions of Día de Muertos.


The Longest Letsgoboy By Derick Wilder, Catia Chien (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Derick Wilder, Catia Chien (Illustrator)
$16.99
ISBN: 9781452177168
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Chronicle Books - October 26th, 2021

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney By Judith Viorst, Erik Blegvad (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Judith Viorst, Erik Blegvad (Illustrator)
$8.99
ISBN: 9780689712036
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers - September 30th, 1987

A classic story about the death of a pet.


Big Cat, Little Cat By Elisha Cooper Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781626723719
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: Roaring Brook Press - March 14th, 2017

A picture book about the circle of life for the youngest of readers.


The Dead Bird By Margaret Wise Brown, Christian Robinson (Illustrator) Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780060289317
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: HarperCollins - March 1st, 2016

A classic Margaret Wise Brown story reanimated with new illustrations by Christian Robinson. Neighborhood kids find a dead bird and decide to hold a funeral.


Dog Heaven By Cynthia Rylant, Cynthia Rylant (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Cynthia Rylant, Cynthia Rylant (Illustrator)
$19.99
ISBN: 9780590417013
Availability: Usually Available in 1-5 Days, supply chain issues may affect these times
Published: The Blue Sky Press - August 1st, 1995