When a little boy’s grandpa dies and is buried at the cemetery, everyone in the family brings stones to the gravesite. This is a Jewish tradition, the little boy learns, and each stone is accompanied with a story about Grandpa that makes everyone feel a little less sad. “Stones for Grandpa” by Renee Londner is a wonderful resource to teach children about funeral rituals they may participate in!
Told from the perspective of elderly cat Tiger Rose, Jane Yolen’s “The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye” is a beautiful look at the transition for pets as they cross the rainbow bridge. Tiger Rose remembers her kitten days, and she revisits all of her old friends that she used to play with in the yard. But Tiger Rose knows that her body is old, and her soul is ready to join the flow of the universe. This is a lovely book to help your child (and you!) say goodbye to a beloved pet.
Violet has a best friend named Mia, and they do everything together. . .and I mean everything! Each day at school, Violet can count on Mia to be there – that is, until Mia gets a really, really, big sick. When Mia dies, Violet feels lost without her friend, and feels like no one else remembers her. So, Violet takes action, and organizes and memorial for her friend at school, channeling her grief energy into something beautiful and healing!
Sean had just completed his first week of second grade when he got the shocking news that his father died. How does a seven-year-old process the emotions of grief? Read along with Sean in “The Day my Dad Turned Invisible” by Sean R. Simmons as our narrator tries to figure out what this all means for him. You will gain some insight into your own little one along the way!
Pets are an important part of the family, and when one of our furry friends dies, it can be hard to answer children’s important questions! The folks at The Dodo put together an awesome resource called “A Kids Book about Saying Goodbye to a Pet” that encourages healthy conversation among families after a beloved pet crosses the rainbow bridge.
Written in a striking yet digestible way, Taryn Schuelke’s “A Kids Book about Death” allows opportunity for conversation to flow easily and gently after a loss. Schuelke provides language that is direct and appropriate for children of all ages, giving families the words and tools to navigate some of death’s bigger questions.
Grief doesn’t always come in bite-size pieces, but the way we learn to cope with those feelings can. In Alan Wolfelt’s easily digestible book “365 Days of Understanding your Grief,” he provides day-by-day snippets to walk you through a year of loss. This book is a perfect read or gift for the adult in your world who could benefit from finding structure amidst the chaos of grief.
Jennifer Ashton, author of “Life After Suicide,” is known for being the medical correspondent for ABC news. But regardless of her job title, losing her ex-husband to suicide rocked Jennifer’s world and created a pit of self-doubt. As she processed her pain, she wondered if she should also share her experience with the world. This beautifully written memoir encapsulates the quiet suffering many go through, as well as the relief of finding community and support by being open and unashamed.
When a loved one is dying, we know the importance of those final conversations. But sometimes the awkwardness of the moment can prevent you from saying what you want to say. Through Wendy McNaughton’s work in a hospice setting, she drew from her wisdom to write the book “How to Say Goodbye,” providing guidance on when and how to have conversations with your dying loved one.
Colin Campbell’s life was completely turned upside down when his two teenage children were killed by a drunk driver who hit their family vehicle on their way home from a vacation. As Colin navigated his old life amidst new grief, filled with friends who consistently told him “there are no words,” Colin implored them: Please. Find the words. This book is a moving, powerful resource for those of us who wish nothing more than for the ones around us to hear our pain and stay present with us in it.
