About death and grief 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 Manage Cookie Preferences