Books That Help Children Process Grief: A Guide for Parents and Guardians

When children experience the loss of a loved one, they may struggle to make sense of what has happened or explain how they feel. Books can offer a supportive way to guide them through grief. Through stories, children gain reassurance, understanding, and language to describe their emotions. Reading together provides a comforting space for questions and shared memories, making books a valuable resource for families navigating loss.

What Children Need When Coping with Grief

When children are dealing with grief, they need a sense of stability and safety. They benefit from clear, honest explanations about what has happened, along with reassurance that any feelings they experience are completely normal. Books can aid in validating these feelings, introduce coping strategies, and gently open a conversation about life, death, and remembrance.

Recommended Books

Noodles Loses Dad by Sarah Corbett Lynch

 A story from the Boogawooga series that follows Noodle as she navigates the loss of someone very important in her life. Through Noodle and her brother’s journey, children are gently introduced to themes of grief, change, and resilience. The book encourages young readers to explore their emotions, find courage, and discover hope, making it a comforting and empowering read for children experiencing loss.

Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley

This gentle, heart-warming story follows Badger and his friends, showing how love and memories can continue even after someone has gone. With warm illustrations and a simple narrative, it helps children understand loss, express their feelings, and remember the positive impact loved ones have on their lives. The book is a comforting way to start conversations about grief, encouraging reflection, storytelling, and emotional connection in a supportive, reassuring way.

Ava and the Acorn by Lu Fraser 

This gentle, touching story follows little Ava as she spends cherished time with her grandad, creating memories beneath the canopy of their old Oak tree. The book explores the joy of shared experiences and the bittersweet nature of life’s changes. It introduces young children to themes of love, loss, and the cycle of life in a tender, reassuring way, helping them understand that even when someone they love is no longer with them, the memories and lessons they shared continue to live on.

Safe Harbour by Patricia Forde

Safe Harbour is a free illustrated story designed to help children navigate the loss of a parent to suicide. Told from the perspective of a child in a grieving family, it comes in two versions: one where the child’s father dies, and one where the child’s mother dies. The story offers reassurance, understanding, and a safe way for young readers to explore complex emotions. Supported by a guide for parents and caregivers, it provides a compassionate tool to initiate conversations, validate feelings, and help children process grief in a gentle, age-appropriate manner. The website also offers an audiobook, a podcast series and activities for children.

Finn Jones Was Here by Simon James Green 

A heartfelt and humorous story about friendship, loss, and keeping memories alive: when Finn passes away, his best friend Eric embarks on an unusual scavenger hunt left behind by Finn, learning to navigate grief while celebrating the joy and adventures they shared. Sensitive yet uplifting, this book balances the sadness of losing a friend with moments of laughter, making it a comforting and relatable read for children experiencing bereavement.

I Miss You by Pat Thomas

A gentle, accessible book that helps children understand that death is a natural part of life. Through simple text and illustrations, it reassures young readers that feelings of sadness, loss, and grief are a normal part of life. Designed for early school-age children, it encourages discussion, emotional expression, and positive interaction between children, parents, and caregivers, making it a sensitive and supportive resource for families navigating bereavement.

Tips for Using Books to Support a Child.

Read together in a calm, comfortable setting, allowing the child to take the lead in asking questions. Gently encourage them to discuss how the story relates to their own experiences, and offer creative outlets like drawing or play, or writing to help them express feelings that may be hard to put into words. Above all, remember that every child grieves in their own way. Patience, empathy, and consistent reassurance are essential in supporting their healing.