top of page
Image by Mark Timberlake

This page contains books for all ages that are recommended for grief, end of life topics, and helping professionals working in this field.

BOOKS

Books For Children

Books For Childre
Cry Heart but never break.png

by Glenn Ringtved, Charlotte Pardi, et al.

Focus: Death comes to visit grandmother 

The Memory Tree.png

by Britta Teckentrup

​

Focus: death of a friend and mourning

​

​

When Dinosaurs die.png

by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown

​

Focus: A first look at death

PigsBig Feelings.png

by Kelly Bourne and Aparna Varma

​

Focus: Emotions 

​

​

addys cup of sugar.jpg

by Jon J Muth

 

Focus: Grief, Cat Loss 

Badgers parting gifts.jpg

by Susan Varley

 

Focus: Grief, Grandparent Loss 

The invisible string.png

by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Focus: Continuing bond or connection

invisible dragon.png

by Angie Lucas and Birgitta Sif

​

Focus: Death of mother and the grief after

In my heart emotions.png

by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey

​

Focus: Emotions

When Sadness.png

by Eva Eland

Focus: Emotion 

Maybe tomorrow.jpg

by Charlotte Agell

 

Focus: Grief 

Everywhere still.jpg

by Claire Sahara Lemp

 

Focus: Grief

The Invisible Leash.png

by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

​

Focus: Pet Loss

​

​

Lunas red hat.png

By Emmi Smid

An Illustrated Storybook to Help Children Cope with Loss and Suicide

​

Focus: Death and Suicide

In my heart .png

by Mackenzie Porter

 

Focus: Separation

What happens.png

by Dr. Jillian Roberts and Cindy Revell

 

Focus: Grief 

I'll always love y ou.jpg

by Hans Wilhelm

 

Focus: Grief, Pet Loss 

You'll find me.jpg

by Amanda Rawson Hill & Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

 

Focus: Grief, Loss 

The Fish Who Found the Sea.png

by Alan Watts

Focus: Getting into the flow of life

​

​

 I miss you.png

by Pat Thomas and Leslie Harker

​

Focus: pet loss

the heart in the bottle.png

by Oliver Jeffers

Focus: Grief 

Stewarts Tree.png

by Cathy Campbell

 

Focus: Grief, Baby Loss 

​

​

 

ida always.jpg

by Caron Levis & Charles Santoso

 

Focus: Grief, Friend Loss 

​

​

carry you with me.png

by Alanna Knobben

 

Focus: Grief, Pregnancy loss 

Books For Youth

Books for youth
Fiction

 

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

by John David Anderson

Focus: End of life and illness.

Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she is very sick and won’t be able to finish the school year, they come up with a plan.

 

King and the Dragonflies

by Kacen Callender

“Twelve-year-old Kingston James is sure his brother Khalid has turned into a dragonfly. When Khalid unexpectedly passed away, he shed what was his first skin for another to live down by the bayou in their small Louisiana town. Khalid still visits in dreams, and King must keep these secrets to himself as he watches grief transform his family.”

 

When You Trap a Tiger

by Tae Keller

“When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now, the tigers want it back.”

​

​

Non-fiction

Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love

By Earl A. Grollman

​

Teen Grief: Caring for the Grieving Teenage Heart

Gary Roe

Books For Adults

Books for adults
Stories

 

The Boy in the Black Suit

by Jason Reynolds

“Matt wears a black suit every day. No, not because his mom died—although she did, and it sucks. But he wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home, which pays way better than the Cluck Bucket, and he needs the income since his dad can’t handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own.”

 

Early Departures

by Justin A. Reynolds

 

The Astonishing Color of After

by Emily X.R. Pan

“Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird.”

 

Dancing at the Pity Party

by Tyler Feder

“Part poignant cancer memoir and part humorous reflection on a motherless life, this debut graphic novel is extraordinarily comforting and engaging.”


Soaring With Burnt Wings:: Lessons in love, life, laughter and surviving unimaginable loss

by Elizabeth Leanne

“Soaring With Burnt Wings is an incredible memoir, which allows an intimate glimpse into their relationship long before the word cancer was ever uttered, how they proactively approached.”

​

Self-Help Non-Fiction
​​

Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief

by David Kessler

 

It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand

by Megan Devine and Mark Nepo

​

Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding and Healing the Impact of Loss 

by Claire Bidwell Smith

​

Too Much Loss: Coping with Grief Overload

by Alan D. Wolfelt

​

The Needs of the Dying: A Guide for Bringing Hope, Comfort, and Love to Life's Final Chapter

by David Kessler 

​

Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief

by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore

​

Grief Day By Day: Simple Practices and Daily Guidance for Living with Loss

by Jan Warner

​

A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death

by Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger

​

The Wilderness of Suicide Grief: Finding Your Way

by Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt 

​

Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief

by Martha W. Hickman

​

Grief is a Sneaky Bitch

by Lisa Keefauver

​

Topic: Parents helping Children
​

When a Parent is Sick: Helping Parents Explain Serious Illness to Children 

By Joan Hamilton

 

A Parents Guide to Raising Grieving Children 

By Phyilis Silverman

​

A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood Grief: 100 Activities for Coping, Comforting, & Overcoming Sadness, Fear, & Loss

by Katie Lear

Books For Therapists

Books for therapists
bottom of page