7 Beautiful Picture Books to Help Kids Understand Death
by Dena McMurdie
Whether it’s the passing of a beloved pet, friend, or loved one, every child has to cope with death at some point. This can be a confusing, upsetting, and scary experience for children. They may not understand why a person or pet they love is suddenly gone. Reading sensitive books on the topic can help children weather the storm of grief.
From movies like The Lion King to real-world events, children may be confronted with death even before they have to deal with it on a personal level. It’s always a good idea to address the topic of death with your children before their first experience with it. But even if you don’t have that option, you can still comfort your child when they’re mourning.
These beautiful picture books will help your child process their sadness and understand why death happens.
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Lifetimes
Available from:Lifetimes addresses death in a matter-of-fact way. It gently examines the life cycle of every living thing, including plants, animals, and people. Children will learn that death is simply a part of life and not something to be feared.
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The Heart and the Bottle
Available from:Few authors can deliver a deep message wrapped in a soothing story the way that Oliver Jeffers, illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit, can. In The Heart and the Bottle, children learn to appreciate the lessons learned from loved ones who have passed on. Sharing those lessons with others can ease the sorrow that comes with loss.
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Always Remember
Available from:When Old Turtle passes away, his friends fondly reminisce about the lessons and memories he left with them. This beautiful and gentle book pays tribute to the lives and legacies of deceased loved ones.
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Granddad's Island
Available from:Syd and his Granddad journey together to an exhotic, colorful island. While on the island, Granddad tells Syd he is going to stay in this beautiful place while Syd returns home. The bright colors and uplifting story address the topic of death in a way that young children can understand.
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A Stone for Sascha
Available from:From the creator of the Caldecott award-winning book Journey comes this touching wordless picture book. A young girl mourns the loss of her pet dog while on vacation with her family. But when she finds a golden pebble on the beach, she learns that the past, present, and future are all connected.
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Our Tree Named Steve
Available from:A father writes a letter to his grown children, fondly recalling memories of a favorite tree in his yard. This sweet story about family, love, and loss is a gentle reminder that the people and things we love can live on in our memories long after they're gone.
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The Journey
Available from:Inspired by stories of actual refugees, this book is about a family who suffers a terrible tragedy when war comes to their country. The family embarks on a long, difficult journey to a new home where they can find peace.
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