Support & guidance Films, books and resources Books and resources About death and grief A Shelter for Sadness Anne Booth A small boy creates a shelter for his sadness, a safe space where Sadness is welcome, where it can curl up small, or be as big as it can be, where it can be noisy or quiet, or anything in between. The boy can visit the shelter whenever he needs to, every day, sometimes every hour, and the two of them will cry and talk or just sit, saying nothing. A poignant and heart-warming picture book exploring the importance of making space and time for our own griefs, small or large. Buy from Amazon About Hedgehog Dani Seatter Whether children have experienced the death of a beloved pet, a family member or a significant bereavement with a parent or sibling, this book is the perfect way to help young children explore their feelings by creating a safe environment from which to do so. Buy from Eco-Able 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 book also 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 Feeling All My Grief: A secular grief book for young children about death, loss, and healing Kim TS This book reassures kids that it's okay to feel sad, angry, scared, worried, confused, or a mix of feelings when someone we care about dies. When we give ourselves time to heal, we can soon make space for gratitude, happiness, and love as well. Buy from Amazon Gone Michel Streich "My fluttering, chirping, hopping bird was gone. Its body was still there, a silent, feathery shape, but all life had left it." Long or short, every life on earth comes to an end some day. But what happens when we die? Michel Streich’s book is an honest and beautiful guide for curious children about life’s biggest mystery. Buy from Thames & Hudson 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 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 Life is Like the Wind Shona Innes and Írisz Agócs Introducing the concept of death, Like is Like the Wind offers a gentle and direct approach to the emotional issues children face. Written by clinical child psychologist, Shona Innes, the book encourages young children to talk about their feelings with others. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years. 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 our shop 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 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 Someone has died in a 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 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 Copper Tree: Helping a Child Cope with Death and Loss Hilary Robinson When Olivia's teacher, Miss Evans, dies, the children at her school are encouraged to think of everything that reminds them of her. The Copper Tree is about love and legacy and will help children understand that while sadness is an inevitable part of grief, death is not necessarily the end for what is left behind can be everlasting. Buy from Amazon The Invisible String Patricie 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 Kissing Hand Audrey Penn This heart warming children’s classic helps children manage separation anxiety, which young children who are grieving often experience. Recommended for children aged 3 to 5 years. 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 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 Rabbit Listened Cori Doerrfeld When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to process this loss, and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs. Buy from Amazon also available in Polish and Welsh 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 children under 7 Child Bereavement UK This PDF 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. Free to download from Child Bereavement UK When someone special dies | For children aged 7 to 11 Child Bereavement UK This PDF 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. Free to download from Child Bereavement UK When the Sun Fell Out of the Sky: A Short Tale of Bereavement and Loss Hollie Rankin This beautifully illustrated, therapeutic picture book tells the story of Stan the Giraffe. Stan loves the sun and to feel its warmth on his long back; but one day it suddenly and unexpectedly falls from the sky and disappears from his life. Stan experiences many different and difficult emotions throughout the story, reflecting the different ways in which people grieve. The story aims to normalise these feelings, which for children and those around them, can be frightening. This storybook has been written to support key adults in helping bereaved children to find a way to cope, manage and make it through their grief. The resource Supporting Children through Bereavement and Loss has been written to accompany the storybook, providing information, guidance and ideas for anyone supporting a grieving child, in school or at home. Buy at Waterstones 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 Where is Uncle Al? Eva Hibbs This book focuses on death before a child has been born with the story following six-year-old Lily as she embarks on a journey to know the uncle she never knew. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years. Buy from Waterstones Why do things die? Kate Danes This lift the flap, first questions and answers book is a beautiful and gentle look at the circle of life, using Christine Pym's gorgeous animals characters to explore the emotions and facts around death, with questions such as 'Is it ok to talk about dying?', 'What happens when someone dies?', 'Can I shout and cry and hide away?', and 'How can I stop feeling sad?'. Buy from Amazon Manage Cookie Preferences