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  1. FAQs

For children up to 11

These books and resources may be helpful for young people aged up to 11-years-old who have been bereaved. 

For further help in finding resources, email [email protected] or call our Helpline on 0800 02 888 40.

Please note: Inclusion on this list does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Child Bereavement UK, as we are aware that whether a book is helpful or not is subjective and as such is a decision that can only be made by the individual reader.

About death and grief

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Always and Forever

Alan Durant

When Fox dies the rest of his ‘family’ are absolutely distraught. How will Mole, Otter and Hare go on without their beloved friend? But, months later, Squirrel reminds them all of how funny Fox used to be, and they realise that Fox is still there in their hearts and memories.

Buy from Amazon

Badger's Parting Gifts

Susan Varley

Badger is so old that he knows he will soon die. He tries to prepare his friends for this event, but when he does die, they are still grief-stricken. Gradually they come to terms with their grief by remembering all the practical things Badger taught them, and so Badger lives on in his friends’ memories of him.

The new, 35th anniversary edition of the book features a reading guide from Child Bereavement UK that provides tips for reading Badger’s Parting Gifts with children and helping them better understand grief.

Download our online information sheet Talking With and Supporting Bereaved Children with further notes and guidance, using examples and illustrations from the book.

Buy from Amazon

Goodbye Mog

Judith Kerr

Mog was tired. Mog thought, ‘I want to sleep for ever.’ And so she did. But a little bit of her stayed awake to see what would happen next. Mog keeps watch over the upset Thomas family, who miss her terribly, and she wonders how they will ever manage without her. Eventually the family are able to begin moving forward in their lives, but little Debbie says she will always remember Mog. ‘So I should hope,’ thinks Mog. And she flies up and up and up right into the sun.  

Buy from Amazon

Goodbye Mousie

Robie H Harris

The story of a young boy dealing with the death of his pet mouse is handled with the sure touch of an author familiar with children’s tender emotions. Simply told by the boy, in a matter of fact tone with a dash of humour, he recounts his reactions to the death of his pet mouse.

Buy from Amazon

Hamza attends a Janaza

Shabana Hussain

Hamza’s usual fun Saturday is cancelled when his family receives the sad news that Uncle Sameer has died. Follow Hamza through the day as he learns about the various aspects of a janaza. This story is a gentle introduction to attending an Islamic funeral, told from a child’s perspective. It familiarises children with the etiquettes and some of the rituals surrounding a funeral and provides an opportunity for important discussions around death and the afterlife in an age-appropriate manner.

Buy from Kube Publishing

I Lost Something Very Special 

Husna Rahman and Anita Bagdi

'I Lost Something Very Special' tells the story of a little girl who shares some of her fondest memories as she tries to make sense of losing something very, very special. This book is centred around loss and grief for children aged 3-7 years old.

Buy from Amazon

I Miss You: A First Look at Death

Pat Thomas

This book helps children understand that death is a natural complement to life, and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings for them to have. For pre-school and early years.

Buy from Amazon

 

Love Will Never Die

Clare Shaw

Using clear but child-friendly language and large colourful illustrations, this rhyming book addresses the mixed feelings a bereaved child might go through. It offers support and understanding alongside interactive areas where the child can express themselves through writing and drawing.

Buy from Amazon

Michael Rosen's Sad Book

Michael Rosen

A very personal story that speaks to adults as well as children. The author describes feeling sad after the death of his son and what he does to try to cope with it.

Buy from Amazon

Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine: Your Activity Book to Help When Someone Has Died

Winston’s Wish

Offering practical and sensitive support for bereaved children, this book suggests a helpful series of activities and exercises accompanied by the friendly characters of Bee and Bear. It aims to help children make sense of their experience by reflecting on different aspects of their grief.

Buy from Amazon

No Matter What

Debi Gliori

'I'm a grim and grumpy little Small and nobody loves me at all,' said a small fox. But that's not true and Small's mother is determined to prove that her love is limitless - no matter what! With sparkly foil stars and a small, sturdy board format, this is the perfect story to share with the very young. A beautiful, lyrical, loving book about setting big worries to rest.

Buy from Amazon

Pepper, Pooch and Little

Caroline Jay, illustrated by Catherine Swan

A picture book for 4+ year olds about the lifetimes of Pepper the hamster, Pooch the puppy and Little the tortoise, which offers a gentle introduction to life and death and the importance of the memories that link them.  Designed to trigger discussion and help adults to support children as they think about life and death.  

Buy from Swan Jay Books

Rabbityness

Jo Empson

This is the story of a very special rabbit. He enjoys doing rabbit things, but he also loves – well, un-rabbity things. His boundless creative talent is a source of joy and inspiration to the other rabbits. When Rabbit suddenly disappears, no one knows where he has gone. His friends are desolate. But, as it turns out, Rabbit left behind some very special gifts for them, to help them discover their own un-rabbity talents!

Buy from Amazon

Remembering

Dianne Leutner, Joan Gorman and Daniel Postgate.   

Part book, part scrapbook Remembering was created to help keep a child’s memories alive after the loss of someone special and to give children a place to return to whenever they wish.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

Saying Goodbye to Hare

Carol Lee

This is an uplifting story written for children aged 5-9 years about death and dying. As young Rabbit witnesses the life, illness and death of his dear friend Hare, the story explores some of the emotional and physical feelings, and some of the questions children have at this time. The story is sensitively written to give a positive, thoughtful message about death and dying. It also includes guidance notes for adults supporting a bereaved child.

Buy from Amazon

Someone has died in road crash

Mary Williams OBE and Caroline Chisholm   

Two young characters, who have been bereaved by a road crash, narrate the colourful book by giving caring and helpful tips. Tackling all the tough questions that children may want to ask, the book deals with the crash itself, funerals, police investigation and the possible emotions a child may experience. There is also an additional download with tips for adults on how to use the book with young children.

Download from Brake

Someone has died suddenly

Mary Williams and Steve Fraser

This colourful book, prepared in partnership with bereavement specialists, is for suddenly bereaved children and adults to read together. It helps children understand their strong feelings and gives suggestions to help them cope. It provides straightforward information about practical things that happen after a sudden death, such as a post-mortem examination. There is also an additional download with tips for adults on how to use the book with young children.

Available to download from Sudden

Someone I know has died

Trish Phillips  

Innovative activity book with interactive features written for bereaved children to do by themselves or with adult help. For primary-aged children. 

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself

Ali Redford   

Boy built a wall to keep himself safe. Behind it he felt strong and more protected. Then Someone Kind came along. She bounced a ball, sang and painted on the other side of the wall, and Boy began to wonder if life on the other side might be better after all. Written for children aged 4 to 9, this gentle full-colour picture book uses a simple metaphor to explain how children who have had painful or traumatic experiences can build barriers between themselves and other people. It will help children explore their feelings and encourage communication.

Buy from Amazon

The Invisible String

Patricia Karst

This story that teaches of the tie that really binds. Mums and Dads feel the tug whenever kids give it; and kids feel the tug that comes right back: the Invisible String reaches from heart to heart. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach anyway? Whether it is a loved one who has died, or a parent who is just in the next room, this book illustrates a new way to cope with a child’s fear of loneliness and separation. Here is a warm and delightful lesson teaching young and old that we are never really alone.

Buy from Amazon

The Lonely Tree

Nicholas Halliday

This beautiful and moving story follows the first year in the life of a lone evergreen tree growing in the heart of the ancient oak woodland of the New Forest. The evergreen is befriended by the oldest oak who has lived for hundreds of years. When winter arrives all the oak trees must go to sleep, but of course evergreens never sleep. Finally, after a long, cold and lonely winter, spring brings both sadness and joy to the little tree.

­There is also a colouring book that accompanies this story, which you can also buy from Amazon.

Buy from Amazon

The Magical Wood

Mark Lemon

One cold and stormy day, the wind blew a terrible gale. The next day the tree family woke to find that Strongest Tree had fallen to the woodland floor and had sadly died. How would the tree family survive the seasons without the strength of Strongest Tree? 

Audiobook available for free from Lemon Drop Books

The Memory Tree 

Britta Teckentrup

Fox has lived a long and happy life in the forest. One day, he lies down in his favourite clearing, takes a deep breath, and falls asleep for ever. One by one, Fox's friends tell stories of the special moments that they shared with Fox. 

This gentle and comforting tale celebrates life and the memories that are left behind when a loved one dies.

Buy from Amazon

The Tenth Good Thing about Barney

Judith Viorst

A book looking about death from the perspective of a child. Though dealing with the death of a pet, it helps children deal with the reality of any death, including why we have funerals. This book does not have religious overtones, so it can be used by families with all different sets of beliefs.

Buy from Amazon

Tough Boris

Mem Fox

Boris von der Borch is a mean, greedy old pirate – tough as nails, through and through, like all pirates. Or is he?

Buy from Amazon

Waterbugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young children

Doris Stickney   

Written from a Christian perspective, this acclaimed book can be used to help explain the concept of death to young children. The story illustrates that death is inevitable, irreversible but natural.

Buy from Amazon

What Does Dead Mean?
A Book for Young Children to Help Explain Death and Dying

Caroline Jay and Jenni Thomas, OBE

A book for young children to help explain death and dying, based on the many questions that children ask. This book looks at questions such as why ‘Why can’t doctors and nurses make people better?’, and offers practical help for children, as well as guidance for parents and carers when a child is bereaved.

Buy from Amazon

When Dinosaurs Die – A Guide to Understanding Death

Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown

A comprehensive, sensitive guide for families dealing with the loss of loved ones, ‘When Dinosaurs Die’ helps primary aged children understand what death means, and how best to cope with their feelings.

Buy from Amazon

When someone special dies - for under 7s

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

When someone special dies - for ages 7 to 11

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

When Something Terrible Happens: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief

Marge Heegaard

Terrible things can happen to children. Traumatic events in the lives of their families, their friends or in the world leave then feeling confused, insecure and frightened. There are floods, earthquakes, and sometimes people cause violence and trauma. This is a workbook designed to help children understand and deal with overwhelming feelings from loss and change.

Buy from Amazon

Published: 5th December, 2022

Updated: 8th March, 2023

Author:

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Activity books and resources to support bereaved children

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After a Murder: A Workbook for Grieving Kids

Dougy Centre

Through the stories, thoughts and feelings of other kids who have experienced a murder, this hands-on workbook allows children to see that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences. The workbook includes drawing activities, puzzles and word games to help explain confusing elements specific to a murder, such as the police, media and legal system.

Buy from Amazon

After a Suicide: A Workbook for Grieving Kids

Dougy Centre

In this hands-on, interactive workbook, children who have been exposed to a suicide can learn from other grieving kids. The workbook includes drawing activities, puzzles, stories, advice from other kids and helpful suggestions for how to navigate the grief process after a suicide death.

Buy from Amazon

Beyond the Rainbow: A Workbook for Children in the Advanced Stages of a Very Serious Illness

Marge Heegard

This book provides children and their caregivers a broad range of opportunities to express thoughts and feelings related to advanced stages of a life-threatening illness. The book has a warm interactive quality to it. Through the creative activities it offers, children can learn to communicate more openly about their illness, develop coping skills, express personal wishes, foster hope, and share thoughts and concerns about death.

Buy from Amazon

Beyond the Rough Rock: Supporting a Child Who Has Been Bereaved Through Suicide

Di Stubbs and Julie Stokes

This booklet offers practical advice for families in the immediate days and weeks when suicide has been the cause of death. It aims to give parents and professionals the confidence to involve children in discussions about the nature of a death by suicide.

Buy from Amazon

Finding Your Own Way to Grieve: A Creative Activity Workbook for Kids and Teens on the Autism Spectrum

Karla Helbert 

A creative activity workbook for grieving children and teens on the Autistic Spectrum. The clear concise language will help adults communicate with children around the abstract concepts of death and grief.

Buy from Amazon

 

Grief in Children: A Handbook for Adults

Atle Dyregov

This fully updated second edition of “Grief in Children” explains children’s understanding of death at different ages and gives a detailed outline of exactly how the adults around them can best help them cope.

Buy from Amazon

Luna’s Red Hat

Emmi Smid

This book tells the story of Luna, whose mum died by suicide one year ago and she still finds it difficult to understand why. Dad talks to her and explains what happened, and together they think about all the happy memories they have of Mum. This book is designed to be read with children age 6+ who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide. It includes a guide for parents and professionals.

Buy from Amazon

Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine: Your Activity Book to Help When Someone Has Died

Winston’s Wish

Offering practical and sensitive support for bereaved children, this book suggests a helpful series of activities and exercises accompanied by the friendly characters of Bee and Bear. It aims to help children make sense of their experience by reflecting on different aspects of their grief.

Buy from Amazon

Ollie the Octopus Loss and Bereavement Activity Book: A Therapeutic Story with Activities

Dr Karen Treisman

This activity book has been developed by expert child Psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Karen Treisman. The first part of the book is a colourful illustrated therapeutic story about Ollie the Octopus, with a focus on Ollie making sense of and processing the loss of his mum, Orla. This is followed by a wealth of creative activities and colourful photocopiable worksheets for children and the people supporting them to explore aspects of loss, grief, death, and bereavement, and how to find ways to understand and cope with them.

Buy from Amazon

Precious Time

Lindsey Stukalov Stone

This book helps children understand their feelings when a loved one is dying. The book is an interactive tool for adults to use as a guide to plan their own conversation or to be used in direct work with children. The book supports the child's mental health through an interactive, gentle and validating approach. 

Buy from Heart of Kent Hospice

Red Chocolate Elephants: For children bereaved by suicide - Book & DVD 

Diana C.Sands  

Provides adults with the understanding and assistance to support primary school aged children experiencing the death of a family member to suicide. It is not intended for children to read on their own, but as an assisted reading activity with an adult, reading a few pages and taking the time to explore concerns. Provides a sensitive and appropriate means of engaging with children around the difficult question of death through suicide.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

Someone Very Important Has Just Died: Immediate Help for People Caring for Children of All Ages at the Time of a Close Bereavement

Mary Turner

This short book tackles the sensitive issues of what to tell children, how far to include them in the events immediately after the death, and how to tend to their physical and emotional needs. The material is suitable for anyone regardless of their background and beliefs, and is supplemented with information on where to go to obtain longer term bereavement support.

Buy from Amazon

Supporting children when a baby has died

Sands

Booklet mainly for parents but useful for anyone who comes into contact with a child whose baby brother or sister has died before, at, or soon after birth. It includes information about the needs of older children and teenagers bereaved in this way.

Available to download from Sands

Talking About Death: A Dialogue Between Parent and Child

Earl Grollman

This guide to helping children cope with death includes an illustrated, read-along story, and discusses coping with a child’s anger, denial or guilt, and how to discuss funerals, cemeteries and grief.

Buy from Amazon

The Little Flower Bulb

Eleanor Gormally

The Little Flower Bulb tells the story of Jamie, his mum and his twin sisters, and of how Jamie comes to deal with the death of his father. Suitable for children aged 3-8, this beautifully illustrated book will be helpful for parents when talking to children bereaved by the suicide of a close relative.

Buy from Amazon

The Snowdrop Tree

This charming story uses Forest School inspired activities to guide the child through their emotions. From subtle changes in the weather and environment on the pages to the personal adventure of the polar bear family. Each page has lots to look and talk about with activities explained and adult support prompts to guide the adult.

Buy from Amazon

When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief - Workbook

M Heegard

This work book was designed to teach basic concepts of death and help children understand and express the many feelings they have when someone special dies. Communication is increased and coping skills are developed as they illustrate their books with their personal story.

Buy from Amazon

When your Partner Dies: Supporting your children

Child Bereavement UK

A short booklet which offers guidance for a surviving partner when parenting their bereaved children as well as coping with their own grief. It was developed with help from bereaved families and was originally funded by BBC Children in Need. Also useful for GP surgeries, Health visitors etc.

Download a copy here

Published: 4th December, 2022

Updated: 8th March, 2023

Author:

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When someone is not expected to live (pre-bereavement)

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As Big as it Gets

Julie Stokes and Diana Crossley

This booklet aims to help families cope with the serious illness of a parent or child. It provides a range of ideas for parents and carers so that they may feel more able to explain to their children what is happening. The booklet also includes some suggestions about what parents might say to children and how to offer support.

Buy from Winston's Wish

Beyond the Rainbow: A Workbook for Children in the Advanced Stages of a Very Serious Illness

Marge Heegard

This book provides children and their caregivers a broad range of opportunities to express thoughts and feelings related to advanced stages of a life-threatening illness. The book has a warm interactive quality to it. Through the creative activities it offers, children can learn to communicate more openly about their illness, develop coping skills, express personal wishes, foster hope, and share thoughts and concerns about death.

Buy from Amazon

Fox & Goldfish

Nils Pieters

Fox knows that Goldfish is very unwell and is going to die. Before it’s too late he takes his friend on an epic adventure beyond the fishbowl. This story shows the importance of spending precious time with someone who is ill and doing things together whilst the ill person is still able to. This is important in building memories for a child, and for the person who is ill, of spending precious moments together. It would be particularly relevant and useful in preparing a child for the death of a special person in their lives.

Buy from Amazon

My Brother and Me

Sarah Courtauld and Rebecca Cobb 

This picture books story deals with the issues around a sibling's serious illness, and stays in hospital, and how his brother copes with different emotions and feelings. Aimed at children aged 4-10 years.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

Only one of me - A love letter from Dad

Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Tim Budgen 

Only One of Me - A love letter from Dad is a gentle and comforting book to share with a child when a father or father figure is not expected to live. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book also includes an empty spread at the back for a family to share messages and a photo.  Also available in Welsh.

Buy from Graffeg Publishing

Only one of me - A love letter from Mum

Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Tim Budgen 

Only One of Me - A love letter from Mum is a gentle and comforting book to share with a child when a mother or mother figure is not expected to live. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book also includes an empty spread at the back for a family to share messages and a photo. Also available in Welsh. 

Buy from Graffeg Publishing

Precious Time

Lindsey Stukalov Stone

This book helps children understand their feelings when a loved one is dying. The book is an interactive tool for adults to use as a guide to plan their own conversation or to be used in direct work with children. The book supports the child's mental health through an interactive, gentle and validating approach. 

Buy from Heart of Kent Hospice

Standing on His Own Two Feet: A Diary of Dying

Sue Grant

Alexander had just begun his studies at university when he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. In this honest account, Alex’s mother traces the impact of the diagnosis on the whole family and outlines the issues that arose during diagnosis, treatment and terminal stages of her son’s illness. Includes an insight into how health care systems serve the terminally ill, the choices faced by families, and ways of providing the best possible care at home and maintaining the patient’s dignity until the end.

Buy from Amazon

 

The Secret C: Straight Talking About Cancer 

Julie Stokes

Cancer in the family is hard for everyone. How can adults explain when they themselves are trying to come to terms with the implications of the diagnosis? This book offers simple, honest explanations of what cancer is and how it affects someone. It also gives short explanations of treatments such as radiotherapy. It will help adults to answer difficult questions children need to ask.

Buy from Amazon

What About Me? When Brothers and Sisters Get Sick

Allan Peterkin

When a child is seriously ill, siblings experience mixed emotions and hurt feelings, and wonder about the future. In this heartwarming story, the narrator, a confused young girl, expresses all of these concerns when her brother goes to the hospital for an extended stay.

Buy from Amazon

When your Mum or Dad has cancer

Ann Couldrick and Graham Jeffrey

A short book for younger children (7+) to teenage children. It has an introduction for parents but then explains cancer in a simple way children can relate to. It also covers many questions children ask, such as will the person die and what exactly happens, but tackles the answers with insight and honesty.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

When Someone Has a Very Serious Illness: Children Can Learn to Cope with Loss and Change

Marge Heegaard

This book aims to help families communicate and evaluate a child’s understanding and feelings about family change while teaching basic concepts of illness and healthy coping skills.

Buy from Amazon

Published: 3rd December, 2022

Updated: 20th January, 2023

Author:

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When a parent has died

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Am I Like My Daddy?

Marcy Blesy

Join seven-year-old Grace on her journey through coping with the loss of her father while learning about the different ways that people grieve the loss of a loved one. In the process of learning about who her father was through the eyes of others, she learns about who she is today because of her father’s personality and love. This story is based in the United States but relevant to all. 

Buy from Amazon

I love you, Sunshine 

Addy Farmer and Darren Gate

'I love you, Sunshine' tells the story of how one dad dies by suicide and how it affects his eight year old daughter, Milly, and the rest of her family. It is a story of bereavement but it is also a story of love. It is intended as a way for all families bereaved by suicide to know that they are not alone; to build resilience through understanding; and to help take small steps forwards.

The story has been informed and developed through conversations with bereaved parents and with feedback from bereavement support practitioners at Child Bereavement UK. The charity has provided the important parental guidance notes to go alongside Milly’s story. These notes also point the way to support networks for families bereaved by suicide. The book is intended for distribution and sale to bereavement charities, to school counsellors and to anybody who might find it a useful resource. 

Available from www.addyfarmer.com where 5% of sales will go to Child Bereavement UK.

Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute?

Elke Barber & Alex Barber

Alex is only three when his father has a heart attack. All on his own, Alex manages to get help but his beloved Daddy dies at the scene. Explains sudden death to pre-school children using words and illustrations they will understand.

Buy from Amazon

It's Okay to Feel Happy

David Peart

It’s Okay to Feel Happy is about a little girl who is finding it difficult to know if she can be excited, pleased or look forward to things now that her mummy has gone. Although she struggles with her loss, she soon learns that her mummy would want her to still enjoy her life.

Buy from Amazon

Mum’s Jumper

Jayde Perkin

If Mum has gone, how do you carry on? Missing her feels like a dark cloud that follows you around or like swimming to a shore that never comes any nearer. But memories are like a jumper that you can cuddle and wear. And Mum's jumper might be a way to keep her close.

Buy from Amazon

My Dad and Me

Kirsten Rees and Emma Block.

Created with input from two brothers supported by Child Bereavement UK.  

A lovely, downloadable, illustrated booklet in which children can write, draw, remember and talk about their memories of their dad.

Free to download from Child Bereavement UK

Ollie the Octopus and the Memory Treasures

Dr Karen Treisman

In a magical underwater forest lived a colourful and loveable Octopus called Ollie, who loved swimming with his friends and spending time with his mum and dad, Orla and Orson the Octopuses.

Until one day, when Orla started to get very sick. The doctors did everything they could to help her, but very sadly, Orla died. Ollie had so many thoughts and feelings spinning around in his head, and his heart was hurting -- what can Orson and Ollie's friends do to help?

Buy from Amazon

Only one of me - A love letter from Dad

Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Tim Budgen 

Only One of Me - A love letter from Dad is a gentle and comforting book to share with a child when a father or father figure is not expected to live. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book also includes an empty spread at the back for a family to share messages and a photo.  Also available in Welsh.

Buy from Graffeg Publishing

Only one of me - A love letter from Mum

Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Tim Budgen 

Only One of Me - A love letter from Mum is a gentle and comforting book to share with a child when a mother or mother figure is not expected to live. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book also includes an empty spread at the back for a family to share messages and a photo. Also available in Welsh. 

Buy from Graffeg Publishing 

Remembering

Dianne Leutner, Joan Gorman and Daniel Postgate.   

Part book, part scrapbook Remembering was created to help keep a child’s memories alive after the loss of someone special and to give children a place to return to whenever they wish.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

What Happened to Daddy’s Body?

Elke Barber & Alex Barber

Using ideas very young children can understand, this sequel to “Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute?” sensitively and honestly explains what happens after death. It helps children to understand cremation, burial, and spreading the ashes. It reassures children that it is okay to be sad, but it’s also okay to be happy.

Buy from Amazon

When someone special dies - for under 7s

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

When someone special dies - for ages 7 to 11

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

Published: 2nd December, 2022

Updated: 13th March, 2023

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When a sibling has died

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A Star for Bobby

Helen Keenor   

A Star for Bobby talks directly to young children, using language and illustrations they can understand, about the death of a brother or sister, explaining why sometimes these things happen and how this may be making them feel. When the author’s baby son died shortly after birth, she wanted to explain to her two-year-old daughter what had happened in a way a little child could understand.

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Always my Twin

Valerie R. Samuels    

Always My Twin is for young children who have experienced the death of their twin sibling before birth, after birth or as a young child. The book tells the story through the eyes of a young girl whose twin sister dies shortly after birth. She begins her story with sharing the womb with her twin, the joy of her family anticipating the arrival of twins, the family’s pain of losing one of their precious babies, the funeral, and her own expressions of grief for her twin’s death. It also talks about ways she and her family remember her twin.

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Andrew’s Rainbow

A book for children born into a family after the death of a sibling.

Available from the Scottish Cot Death Trust

Benny's Hat

Juliet Clare Bell

Benny’s Hat deals quietly with the huge subject of a sibling dying, from the viewpoint of the sister. It shows how children and young people might deal with serious illness and death differently to adults. The story gives adult readers examples of how to support children when a sibling is not expected to live, not only from the section for parents at the back, but also by watching Friz’s parents’ reactions to her behaviour.

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I Miss My Sister 

Sarah Courtauld 

Illustrated by Holly Surplice, this book is recommended for children aged 4-10 years old. The beautiful and expressive colour illustrations help to guide the child through the different emotions they may encounter following the death of a sibling, as well as the different categories of grief over a period of time. Awarded 'commended' in BMA Patient Information Awards 2010.

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My Baby Big Sister: A Book for Children Born Subsequent to a Pregnancy Loss

Cathy Blanford   

My Baby Big Sister was written for children who were born subsequent to a pregnancy loss or infant death. This book aims to help with the confusion these children often experience when they learn about the baby who died before them. This book does have some religious overtones at the start.

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My brother has died

Dr Jennifer Kelly

If your child has sadly had to face the death of their brother, then this booklet is designed to help you talk with your child about what has happened. It offers support in a simple that can help children as they adjust to life without their sibling. It can also be used as a basis to encourage discussion and to raise any questions they may have. It may also help them to voice their feelings.

Free to download from Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust

My sister has died

Dr Jennifer Kelly    

If your child has sadly had to face the death of their sister, then this booklet is designed to help you talk with your child about what has happened. It offers support in a simple that can help children as they adjust to life without their sibling. It can also be used as a basis to encourage discussion and to raise any questions they may have. It may also help them to voice their feelings.

Free to download from Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust

Remembering

Dianne Leutner, Joan Gorman and Daniel Postgate.   

Part book, part scrapbook Remembering was created to help keep a child’s memories alive after the loss of someone special and to give children a place to return to whenever they wish.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

Remembering My Brother 

Ginny Perkins and Leon Morris

In 1993, Chris Reed died. The author of this book worked with his family to put this book together which aims to show the importance of talking about grief and loss and remembering with love someone important who has died. It relates ordinary family events alongside an account of the family’s visit to Chris’s grave.

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Rory’s Star

Lynda Bathgate   

This book has been written to help parents explain the death of their baby or child to their siblings.

Available from the Scottish Cot Death Trust

Stewart's Tree - A Book for Brothers and Sisters When a Baby Dies Shortly after Birth

Cathy Campbell

Ellen’s new baby brother Stewart has been “lost”.  Ellen looks in all the cupboards for Stewart, and even in the washing machine – but then her family help her understand that Stewart has died and isn’t going to come back. Together they plant a tree for Stewart, so they will always have a place to remember him. This book for children aged 3+ helps explain sibling loss shortly after birth, and provides guidance for adults written by qualified clinicians.

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When someone special dies - for under 7s

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

When someone special dies - for ages 7 to 11

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

Where are you Lydie?

Emma Poore    

Warm and beautifully illustrated picture book for children about sibling loss and bereavement to support families through the grief of baby loss.

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Published: 1st December, 2022

Updated: 22nd February, 2023

Author:

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When a grandparent has died

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Grandad’s Bench

Addy Farmer

This is a beautiful, sensitively told story of love and loss and of a special relationship between grandfather and grandson.

Jake loves playing in Grandad’s workshop. One autumn day, Grandad teaches Jake how to chisel his name in a piece of wood, and afterwards they go to the park. Grandad shows Jake the tree that grew from an acorn he planted when he was a boy. Jake goes off to buy ice-creams and returns to find Grandad on the ground. The ambulance arrives. Mum and Jake go home without Grandad. Jake grieves for his grandfather all winter. But Grandad has left him his workshop and Jake wants to make something special. With Mum’s help, he does – a plaque for the bench under Grandad’s tree. It is spring; for the first time in months, Jake feels happy.

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Grandad's Ashes

Walter Smith

This beautifully illustrated picture book for children aged four to eight tells the story of four children who embark on an adventure to find their Grandad’s favourite place, they are faced with plenty of challenges on the way. Told with gentle humour, this is a charming story for children and an ideal resource for parents or professionals to read with a child as a way of broaching issues surrounding loss or bereavement.

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Granpa

John Burningham

Adorable Granpa gamely nurses his granddaughter’s dolls, eats her pretend strawberry-flavoured ice cream, takes her tobogganing in the snow, and falls in step with her imaginary plans to captain a ship to Africa like all good grandfathers should. Winner of the Kate Maschler Award, this poignant tale of friendship and loss is one children will long remember.

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My Grandma Died: A Child's Story about Grief and Loss

Lory Britain

A young child talks about the emotions felt after Grandma’s death. Includes a list entitled “Things I can do when someone I love dies.”

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Remembering

Dianne Leutner, Joan Gorman and Daniel Postgate.   

Part book, part scrapbook Remembering was created to help keep a child’s memories alive after the loss of someone special and to give children a place to return to whenever they wish.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

Suzie Goes to a Funeral

Charlotte Olson

Join Suzie as she goes to Grandma’s funeral and says goodbye. Suzie can help explain to a child who may be anxious about going to a funeral for the first time. A simple story to help and show what they might experience on this day.

Buy from Suzie Books

When someone special dies - for under 7s

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

When someone special dies - for ages 7 to 11

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

Published: 30th November, 2022

Updated: 8th December, 2022

Author:

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When a friend has died

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The Hare-Shaped Hole

John Dougherty

Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though one was a turtle and one was a hare. They were utterly buddies, and best friends forever and whenever you looked, you would find them together until quite unexpectedly, the end came.

When Hertle disappears for good, Bertle can only see a 
Hertle-shaped hole where his friend should be. He pleads with it, get angry with it, but the hole still won't bring his Hertle back. It seems like hope is lost, until Gerda the kindly bear finds him. She explains that he must fill the hole with his memories of Hertle. And slowly Bertle begins to feel a little bit better. 

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Isaac and the Red Jumper

Amanda Seyderhelm

Isaac is heartbroken when his best friend Freddie dies. His house freezes. And his red jumper turns grey with grief. His friends try to console him, and it’s only after Isaac receives a special visit from Freddie that he understands love and friendship last forever, and are alive in spirit.

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My friend has died

Dr Jennifer Kelly 

If your child has sadly had to face the death of a friend, then this booklet is designed to help you talk with your child about what has happened. It offers support in a simple that can help children as they adjust to life without their friend. It can also be used as a basis to encourage discussion and to raise any questions they may have. It may also help them to voice their feelings.

Free to download from Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust

Remembering

Dianne Leutner, Joan Gorman and Daniel Postgate.   

Part book, part scrapbook Remembering was created to help keep a child’s memories alive after the loss of someone special and to give children a place to return to whenever they wish.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

Remembering Lucy: A Story about Loss and Grief in School

Sarah Helton

This touching short story will help children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) aged 3+ understand feelings caused by death and loss, and the illustrations help convey the complex experience of bereavement in a simple and clear way. Included is a teacher’s guide to talking about bereavement, grief and loss, making this the ideal aid for teachers and support staff at SEND schools and colleges.

Buy from Amazon

When someone special dies - for under 7s

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

When someone special dies - for ages 7 to 11

Child Bereavement UK

This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families.

Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK

Published: 29th November, 2022

Updated: 22nd February, 2023

Author:

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Special educational needs

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Remembering Lucy: A Story about Loss and Grief in School

Sarah Helton

This touching short story will help children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) aged 3+ understand feelings caused by death and loss, and the illustrations help convey the complex experience of bereavement in a simple and clear way. Included is a teacher’s guide to talking about bereavement, grief and loss, making this the ideal aid for teachers and support staff at SEND schools and colleges.

Buy from Amazon

Finding Your Own Way to Grieve

Karla Helbert 

A creative activity workbook for grieving children and teens on the Autistic Spectrum. The clear concise language will help adults communicate with children around the abstract concepts of death and grief.

Buy from Amazon

Let's Talk About Death

Down’s Syndrome Scotland

A booklet about death and funerals for young people and adults who have a learning disability. Includes some simple text on why people die, what happens at funerals and possible grief reactions. Photographs support the text.

Download from Down's Syndrome Scotland

When Dad Died

Hollins and Sireling

This book take an honest and straightforward approach to death and grief in the family. The pictures tell the death of a parent in a simple but moving way. The approach is non-denominational. Suitable for young people and adults with a learning disability.

Buy from Books Beyond Words

When Mum Died

Hollins and Sireling

This book takes an honest and straightforward approach to death and grief in the family. The pictures tell the death of a parent in a simple but moving way. “When Mum Died” shows a burial. The approach is non-denominational. Suitable for young people and adults with a learning disability.

Buy from Books Beyond Words

When Somebody Dies

Hollins and Sireling    

Using pictures, the book tells the story of Mary who is very upset when someone she loves dies. She is encouraged by a friend to go to regular bereavement counselling sessions, which help her to feel less sad. John also loses someone he is close to. He is given comfort and companionship by friends and is shown learning to cope better with life. Suitable for young people and adults with a learning disability.

Buy from Books Beyond Words

Published: 28th November, 2022

Updated: 8th December, 2022

Author:

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Child Bereavement UK Death of a baby Death of a parent Explaining death to children films Glasgow Information Sheet 2020 Nursery teacher parenting a bereaved child returning to school short film short guidance films Stillbirth Watford Young People's Advisory Group YPAG
Short guidance films

Short guidance films

Our short films are delivered by support practitioners and cover a range of topics on grief and bereavement, providing guidance on what can help. Read more

Published: 25th March, 2019

Updated: 1st December, 2021

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Books and resources

Books and resources

A list of books and resources relating to grief and bereavement and what may help. Read more

Published: 21st October, 2021

Updated: 30th November, 2021

Author: Harriet Hieatt-Smith

Others' experiences

Others' experiences

Some bereaved families find it helpful to read about other peoples’ experiences and how the support they have received has helped them. Read more

Published: 30th November, 2021

Updated: 1st December, 2021

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