Listed in alphabetical order by book title.
ABC’s of Grief by Jessica Correnti, MS, CCLS
NEWLY RELEASED GRIEF BOOK, Published on February 26, 2024
Grief is messy and complicated. This book helps kids process their grief through simple, relatable, child-friendly language.
The ABCs of Grief is a children’s book that walks through each letter of the alphabet to unpack different aspects of the grief experience.
Grief is messy, confusing, and overwhelming for all ages—but especially young children who are trying to make sense of the big changes and losses happening around them.
The perfect book for children facing grief related to: death, moving, illness, traumatic medical experiences, new diagnoses, natural and manmade disasters, big changes with school or other activities, feeling ‘different’ from others, abuse, immigration, foster care, absent or distant caregivers, and more.
What are others saying about The ABCs of Grief:
“Offers children and adults a common language to navigate grief, so we can be a culture that truly supports grievers—which is all of us.” Meghan Riordan Jarvis, MA, LCSW,
Psychotherapist, Podcast Host: Grief Is My Side Hustle Author: End of the Hour
“One of the few children’s books about grief that we’d recommend for any grieving child.” Litsa Williams, LCSW-C, and Eleanor Haley MS, Authors of What’s Your Grief?
Founders of the What’s Your Grief Community
“Really gets to the heart of the grief experience for our little ones.” Gina Moffa, LCSW,
Grief Psychotherapist and Author of Moving On Doesn’t Mean Letting Go: A Modern Guide to Navigating Loss
“Full of powerful, bite-size information that will appeal to young readers and caregivers alike, this book will bring comfort, understanding, and healing.” Claire Bidwell Smith,
Grief Therapist and Author of Conscious Grieving
“Clearly and elegantly covers so many potentially confusing and overwhelming aspects of grief and grieving.” Colin Campbell, Author of Finding the Words:
Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose
A New Song by Lisa Bynoe-Stevens
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Ben. Ben lived with his father, and Ben loved to sing.
But one day, a terrible thing happened–Ben’s father died. Ben was so sad that he stopped singing. How did he learn to sing again?
A New Song is a sweet, moving book that helps children understand dying, foster care and adoption, and grief.
Aunt Jane Knits Up A Storm by Steve Wolfson
An award-winning story of loss and healing through the power of friendship, knitting and community. Brilliantly handled…the gentle way they presented the death, and the magical-realism of the knitting. First Prize Children’s Picture Book, North Street Book Prize. A wonderfully illustrated story of loss, healing and knitting. Highly recommended. Red Ribbon Winner, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
Work today was rough, it was a day of grieving another loss. A man that made us laugh and cry at times. Thankful to be able to share Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm. It helped us bond, knowing we are going through this together. From Corrina who works with special needs adults.
Different After You: Rediscovering Yourself and Healing after Grief and Trauma
by Michele Neff Hernandez
Following the death of her husband in a cycling accident in 2005, Michele Neff Hernandez’s most transformative realization was that grief changes us. There is no going back, life is now different. She realized that working through her loss would not take her back to where she was but forward into a rebuilt life as a resilient, determined, and fully capable person who can live fully, love wholly, and give bountifully and even joyfully.
While Different after You focuses on conjugal bereavement, its easy-to-digest steps offer life-affirming and potentially life-transforming resources for everyone reckoning with the individual or collective loss we all face. If you’ve been struggling to adapt to the changes created by a trauma you’ve experienced, this book was written for you.
Good Grief
by Stephanie Yates
When Memphis’ beloved Aunt TT dies from cancer, he feels lost without her. Who will climb, swim and have fun with him now? And can he and TT’s children still enjoy those things without her? Can they start to have fun again even though they are sad?
A loss of a loved one brings up big questions for little hearts and minds, but with gentle guidance from Mom, the children work together to remember TT in a very special way.
Heaven’s Bell
by Sherrie Barch
A book for teens and families that encourages sharing memories.
Heaven’s Bell was written to create a safe space for families to have a conversation about death and dying in a natural and productive way, and one that creates feelings of joy, inspiration, and gratitude for life.
Ashley and Cody have one of those special, once-in-a-lifetime friendships that only the luckiest amongst us ever get to experience. From daily games of basketball in Ashley’s driveway, to helping each other with homework, to sharing jokes that they know their friend will get, even when no one else does. They are the kind of friends, who never run out of things to share and talk about – even if they just saw each other five minutes ago. Middle school is tough, but with a friendship like theirs, they know they will get through it.
Then, suddenly their world is thrown upside down when Cody becomes mysteriously ill. The normally tough-as-nails 11-year-old Ashley is suddenly forced to imagine what life would be like without her BFF.
And hopefully, through Ashley and Cody’s respective eyes, it also creates an appreciation of what happens afterward – no matter what you believe that to be. Initially written for teens, this book is meant to bring readers of all ages comfort and hope, wrapped in a shell of smiles and entertainment!
Heaven’s Bell has a companion Ring to Remember Grief Journal & Memory Book.
I Can See You From The Stars
by Patricia Cook (Trisha Lee)
Do you think children ever wonder what their lost loved ones are saying to them? I know I do.
It’s never easy to watch a child grieve over the loss of a loved one and more often than not the issue is avoided and not talked about because it’s just easier that way. But children need reassurance and hope during these difficult times.
This book was created and designed to do just that. Written from the perspective of a lost loved one, “I Can See You From The Stars” is the call for hope these children need to help encourage them while on their journey through grief.
Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer’s & Dementia
by Laura Smetana
After his beloved grandpa’s health declines and he receives a diagnosis of dementia, a grandson must navigate the changes in their relationship. Through it all, he learns that Grandpa is still Grandpa, and their bond deepens and sweetens through a shared love of ice cream.
Ice Cream with Grandpa is a loving, tender picture book that gently explores the topics of dementia, aging, and loss. Written from a child’s point of view, it chronicles the changes in their relationship as his grandpa moves to assisted living, then memory care, and eventually hospice.
Based on the author’s own experience with her father and son, the engaging story and beautiful illustrations by Elisabete B. P. de Moraes addresses these challenging topics with a kind, age-appropriate approach that will resonate with young readers—while providing tools to help children maintain meaningful relationships with loved ones with the disease.
Includes a guide for parents on talking to kids about dementia, hospice, death, and grief written by expert on grief and loss, Diane Snyder Cowan, MA, MT-BC, CHPCA.
“A moving, effective resource for conversations in the face of dementia and loss.” —Kirkus Reviews
Awards
– 2023 Firebird Book Award Winner – Children’s Grief/Death
– 2022 Northern Lights Book Award Winner – Health Category
– 2022 Maxy Award Children’s Book Runner-Up
Jar of Tears: Moms aren’t supposed to die
by Kathleen Templeton
Jar of Tears: Moms aren’t supposed to die, is a middle-grade fictional book about a ten-year-old girl named Mira, who is told at the beginning of the story that her mother has died unexpectedly. She doubts this to be true as she moves into her dad and stepmother’s house and learns how to adapt to a new home, family and school. She develops anxiety and sees a counsellor to help her learn how to accept and grieve in healthy ways. The secondary storyline involves Mira’s questioning of her Christian faith. She asks her pastor many questions and puts on an art show to honour and remember her mother.
Look Up
by John Allen
A #1 best-selling author on Amazon in Grief and Loss – Visit the author’s website at richardjohnallen.com.
Have you ever wondered how to explain the death of a loved one to a little child? Death is a very sensitive subject that a lot of parents find too difficult to discuss with children. If you want to help your little one understand the permanence of a loved one’s death, then this book is for you. This is the story of a little girl named Anna who just lost her dad. It’s a heartwarming tale about a little girl and her mom, and how they coped with the loss of one of the most important people in their lives. Inside Look Up, discover:
- A simple yet powerful explanation of the death of a loved one
- Some ways to help your child cope with the loss
- A memorable affirmation that you can introduce to your child to remind them that the one they lost will always be watching over them
- …and much much more!
Losing a loved one is never easy. Make this difficult time a little easier by sharing this meaningful story with your child. Buy this book now and discover how to impart this important message in a way your little one will understand. This book has such a simple powerful message, that it can be helpful to adults too.
MOURNING
by Lisa Kereszi
An artist book created by an adult child in response to her father’s death, comprised of trail cam photographs made at his gravesite, visited virtually from afar via a cellular connection – but pre-pandemic. The pictures document the temporal and atmospheric changes to the landscape, with nary a living visitor, besides a family of deer standing in for the bereaved.
Pockets Full of Feelings
by Denise M. Paul, MA, CT, CPLC
Jake feels many different emotions after his dad’s death, and he’s not sure if he’s allowed to have some of those feelings.
This book was written to help children understand that it’s OK to have a lot of different feelings at the same time.
Ring to Remember Journal
by Sherrie Barch
The Ring To Remember journal is the newest addition to the emotional safe space originally created by the Heaven’s Bell book. It is also a direct response to the voices of Sherrie’s readers and their touching book reviews, where they have shared stories, opinions of the book, and also the raw and deeply personal emotions they experienced while reading the book. Through their beautiful words they have, in a sense, requested a broader space to remember and write about loved ones who have died. This journal is that space.
RIP Corey: My Friend Died and It Sucks!
by Chris Buchanan
When high school senior, Sam’s, best friend dies unexpectedly after 50 days in the hospital, how does Sam deal with their grief? This 50-page graphic memoir, based on a true story can be read in 15 minutes. Free study guide available at https://www.levelupbooks.xyz/. It’s written at a 1st grade level in order to be accessible to all. It’s ideal for readers who are neurodivergent, English language learners, dyslexic, and learning disabled.
RIP _______ Grief Journal for teens
by Chris Buchanan
A Grief Journal for teens with Cool Writing Prompts and Sick Art for Doodling, Drawing, and Healing: Easy fill ins and crazy doodles help you as you grieve the loss of a loved one. Help your young person age 8-18 explore their feelings and thoughts about death and grief so they can heal and find hope.
VISUAL – very few words.
Who is this for: Kids and young adults reading below grade level, English language learners, Disabilities, Autism, Dyslexia, Non-verbal
Why THIS grief journal?
#1 It’s COOL!
#2 Speech bubbles! to their loved one and others
Thought bubbles, Empty picture frames for drawing, Lists, things you don’t like hearing at this difficult time, things that make you happy, things you’re good at, things you hope for, Comic faces showing emotions, Crazy art to write around, doodle around, color in, reflect on, Questions to ponder like “Where ARE you?”, and Writing Prompts/Discussion prompts.
Created for fans of RIP Corey: My Friend Died and It Sucks! This engaging journal can help anyone with their feelings of loss even without reading the book.
Scarback: The Wolf
by Don Kress
Introducing “Scarback: the wolf,” a heartwarming and enchanting tale that will take you on a captivating journey through the eyes of an aging wolf named Scarback. This extraordinary story beautifully balances comfort and joy, offering a one-of-a-kind perspective on the transition from our earthly existence to the mysterious realm beyond.
Aging and feeling like he had lost the vigor of his youth, Scarback’s world changes when he discovers that he can fly. In this remarkable adventure, Scarback’s journey will touch your spirit and remind you that life is an ever-evolving masterpiece, filled with beauty and endless possibilities.
More than just a story, Scarback: the wolf serves as a source of solace and reflection for those seeking inner peace during life’s most challenging moments. Its pages will offer comfort and serve as a reminder to embrace change, finding joy in every twist and turn.
“I have found myself just opening the book and memories of dogs and times gone by flood my thoughts. Sometimes I smile. Sometimes, I smile with tears..and that’s ok. It is a special book that is now one of my few keepsakes.”
Recipient of the prestigious Gold Mom’s Choice Award, this captivating tale has touched the hearts of countless readers. Immerse yourself in Scarback’s transformative odyssey and experience the powerful magic that lies within this book. Allow it to uplift your heart and inspire you to cherish every moment, as Scarback’s story resonates with your own journey.
The Girl Who Said Hello to Everyone
by Rayna Rose Exelbierd
Follow the delightful journey of a spirited girl who learns the power of a simple hello and the joy it brings to both herself and those she meets along the way. Inspired by the loss her father Rayna Rose wrote a poem that later became this book now in over 11 countries! Lessons on kindness, conversation, and resilience.
THE MEMORY QUILT
by Lori Keating
Grace grieves for her neighbor, Jason, who was more like a big brother to her. After Jason passes away, Grace hasn’t seen his parents smile. She searches for the perfect honor gift and thinks a memory quilt could be just the thing.
The Rag Doll Gift
by Karen Richards Toothaker
Kimberly can’t wait for her sixth birthday! On their sixth birthdays, all the cousins in her family receive a rag doll homemade with love from Gran. Soon it would be Kimberly’s turn! This gentle story is about loss, but more than that it is about the strength of family, the comfort of traditions, and the boundlessness of love. A timeless story that appeals to young listeners, early readers, and adults alike.
What’s Your Grief: Lists to Help You Through Any Loss by Eleanor Haley, MS and Litsa Williams, MA, LCSW-C
If you’re a regular reader of What’s Your Grief, the decision to approach grief and loss through bite-sized lists should be no surprise. Although grief is immensely complicated, our philosophy has always been that the best way to cope is often one step at a time. And when we say this is a book of “lists,” we mean all sorts of informative, nuanced, and creative approaches like interactive lists, bucket lists, not-to-do lists, and more. More than that, lists accommodate the reality that focus, concentration and attention are hard to come by when you’re grieving. This book is designed with the option to be read cover to cover or to bounce around just to the parts that feel relevant to you at a particular time.
We can’t tell you exactly how to manage your grief. All losses are unique; no book or theory will ever perfectly describe what you are going through as someone grieving a loss. However, we can use everything we’ve learned as grief professionals, grievers, and through a decade of writing about grief to help you better understand you experiences and find ways to cope with the day-to-day struggle of living with grief.