Grief and bereavement books for kids and teens

02/09/25 at 03:10 AM

Grief and bereavement books for kids and teens 
Evermore; list developed in collaboration with Dr. Donna Gaffney; 2/1/25
... How can a young person grasp the enormity, meaning, and consequences of an occurrence that brought death, injury, or harm into their life? ... Because books can be such a powerful balm during a time of grief, here’s our list of favorite books for kids and teens that explore the difficult experiences of death, grief, loss, and bereavement. [Click here for the full article with book descriptions, photos, and links.]

  • The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown; Ages 4 and up
  • The Heart and The Bottle by Oliver Jeffers; Ages 4 and up
  • Listen by Holly McGhee; Ages 4-7
  • A Shelter for Sadness by Anne Booth; Ages 5 and up
  • Sweet Sweet Memory by Jacqueline Woodson and Floyd Cooper; Grades K-3
  • The Scar by Charlotte Moundic; Grades K-4
  • The Color of Absence: 12 Stories About Loss and Hope edited by James Howe; Grades 6-10
  • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson; Ages 9 and up
  • Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter & Rocky Callen; Teen & Young Adults

Editor's note: Pair this with today's posts, "How to prepare children for hardships and tragedies" and "Today's Encouragement: It is easier to build strong children than ..."

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