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Alderman, Linda. (1989) Why did Daddy die? : Helping a Child Cope with the Loss of a Parent. New York: Penguin Books.
Practical suggestions and theories of children's concepts of death are shared by a widow coping with grief of two children.
Anders, Rebecca. (1978) A Look at Death. Lerner Pub.
Deals with the naturalness of death, the pain of loss, and the grief process.
Blackburn, L. B. (1987) Timothy Duck: The Story of the death of a friend. Omaha, NE: Centering Corporation.
Timothy Duck had never thought about death. Timothy Duck talks about all the feelings he has after his favorite boy gets ill and dies. He discovers the importance of saying goodbye. He also discovers that even though he will miss his friend and remember him, life at the pond goes on. Then his best person-friend got sick. To be read to young children.
Brown, Laurie Krasny and Marc Brown. (1996) When Dinosaurs Die. Little Brown and Co.
A reassuring children's guide to understanding death continues the series that includes Dinosaur's Divorce and comfortingly addresses common fears and questions while offering sympathetic suggestions for ways to remember a loved one.
Buscaglia, Leo. (1983) The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. Holt Rinehart Winston.
Freddie and the other leaves on his tree pass through the seasons and, with the coming of winter, fall to the ground. This warm and sympathetic parable explains the delicate balance between life and death.
Cliffton, L. (1983) Everett Anderson's Goodbye. New York: Henry Holt.
Everett Anderson is a little African American boy who has a difficult time coming to terms with his grief after his father dies. Simply and beautifully the story, in verse, reveals Everett's emotions and his mother's loving, understanding and support. The 1984 Coretta Scott King Award winner; 1984 NCTE Teacher's Choice.
Dodge, N. C. (1984) Thumpy's Story: A Story of Love and Grief Shared by Thumpy, The Bunny. Springfield, Ill: Prairie Lark Press.
This set is composed of a book, coloring book and a workbook. Thumpy's Story is the story of a bunny family who experiences the loss of one of the 3 child bunnies. It details every aspect of the death on a child's level... such as death is when breath and movement stop. The story is written from Thumpy's perspective and talks of how his parents were sad and how he and his brother handled the loss of their sister. It even delves into burial.
Gryte, Marilyn. (1988) No New Baby. Omaha, NE: Centering Corporation.
For siblings who have a brother or sister die before birth. This storybook talks about the different feelings children have and answers some of the most asked questions. “It was fun helping get ready for the baby. Now there won't be any new baby. It's not fair!” Recently revised, includes a section for parents and grandparents.
Heegard, M. (1990) When someone very special dies. When someone has a very serious illness. When something terrible happens. Minneapolis, MN: Woodland Press.
A workbook and facilitator's guide composed by an art therapist and grief counselor. Encourages symbolic representation of ideas and feelings, thus facilitating communication with parents.
Kaldhol, Marit and Oyen, Wenche. (1987) Goodbye Rune. Brooklyn: Kane/Miller Book Publishing.
When her best friend accidentally drowns, a little girl, with the help of her parents, tries to come to terms with his death and her feelings of loss and sadness. Beautifully and graphically illustrated.
Miles, Miska. (1985) Annie and the Old One. Little Brown and Co.
"A poignant, understated, rather brave story of a very real child, set against a background of Navajo traditions and contemporary Indian life. Fine expressive drawings match the simplicity of the story."--Horn Book. Full-color illustrations. Newbery Honor Book; ALA Notable Children's Book.
Murrow, L. K. (1989) Good-bye, Sammy. New York: Holiday House.
A child misses his lost toy rabbit even though his mother buys him a new rabbit.
Sasso, Sandy Eisenberg. (1999) For Heaven's Sake. Jewish Lights Publishing.
People said "for heaven's sake" to Isaiah a lot. Everyone talked about heaven. "Thank heavens." "Heaven forbid." But no one would say what heaven was or where to find it. After his grandfather died Isaiah was told that Grandpa had gone to heaven. Isaiah wondered exactly where and what heaven was. He became determined to find out, and sought answers from many different people. In this charming story, award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso teaches that heaven is often found in the places where you least expect it.
Shriver, Maria. (1999) What's Heaven? Golden Books Publishing.
Young Kate ("the kind of girl whose beautiful eyes sparkled when she talked") begins asking her mom questions about death and the afterlife when her great-grandmother passes away. Although Kate's questions may reflect the concerns of some children, the sentimental text is soporific, and the book is more a tract than a story. The text occasionally utilizes intrusive bold typefaces, and the soft-focus illustrations emphasize angels. -- Copyright © 1999 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
Stein, S. B. (1974) About Dying: An open book for parents and children together. Walker and Company.
Begins with the death of a pet, and goes on to the death of a grandparent.
Stiles, Norman. (1984) I'll Miss You Mr. Hooper.
A Sesame Street Book featuring Big Bird who decides to draw pictures to give to all his grown-up friends, and then he remembers one friend is missing. Mr. Hooper has died. It's hard to believe he isn't coming back, and Big Bird feels angry and sad. As he remembers times with Mr. Hooper he realizes he will miss him.
Thomas, Jane Resh. (1988) Saying Good-bye to Grandma. New York: Ticknor and Fields: A Houghton Mifflin Company.
Seven-year-old Suzie is curious and fearful about what Grandma's funeral will be like.
Viorst, Judith. (1976) The Tenth Good Thing about Barney. Aladdin Paperbacks.
In simple phrases narrated by a child whose cat, Barney, has just died, the author succinctly and honestly handles both the emotions stemming from the loss of a beloved pet and the questions about the finality of death which naturally arise in such a situation. . . . An unusually good book that handles a difficult subject straightforwardly.
Wilhelm, Hans. (1985) I'll Always Love You. New York: Crown.
A story about a pet dog who dies a natural death.
Williams, Margery. (1983) The Velveteen Rabbit. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
The issues of life and death are addressed through the eyes of a toy rabbit.
Grollman, Earl. (1990) Talking about Death: A dialogue between Parent and Child. 3rd Ed. Boston: Beacon Press.
This book is really three books in one. First it is a children's designed to create an atmosphere in which the child feels comfortable sharing her feelings about death, dying, and the loved sphere in which the child feels comfortable sharing her feelings about death, dying, and the loved one lost. The illustrations created by Susan Avishai are beautifully clear and promote discussion about feelings. Next, it is a book to help prepare adults to talk to children about death and dying. Finally, it is a resource book which includes 15 pages of resources and an additional 20 pages of helpful books and tapes. The author has created an exceptional tool for families and individuals to use as they cope with and talk about the grieving process. | 
