When a parent has died

Baby Bear & The Day His World Changed

Sarah C Bentley

Pappa Bear died suddenly in the woods. When the woodland friends and neighbours came to pay their respects, the expressions they used confused Baby Bear, so much so that he felt sick and ran into the woods.
Luckily Owl flew by and helped Baby Bear and the family understand the words and expressions used at this time, alleviating the confusion and therefore allowing them to grieve.

This beautifully illustrated story of Baby Bear & the Day His World Changed will help children and young people understand that many expressions and words are used, but they all mean the same thing. Someone has died… 

Buy from Amazon

Ben's Book: The story of when my mum died

Lorna Vyse

Ben’s life is turned upside-down when his mum dies unexpectedly. With a funeral to face, as well as a new school on the horizon and his upcoming eleventh birthday, he struggles to make sense of what has happened and how to adapt to life without his mum. He finds a way to manage his grief with the help of his aunt and the notebook she gives him to write down his anxieties and any questions he has, which she answers fully and honestly. Recommended for ages 8-12.

Buy from the author

Ellie's Book: The story of when my mummy died

Lorna Vyse

When five-year-old Ellie’s mummy dies unexpectedly, her world changes beyond all recognition. The youngest of three siblings, Ellie struggles to understand where her mummy has gone, why she isn’t coming back and why the adults in her home keep whispering to each other. She looks to her aunt, who answers Ellie questions fully and honestly to help her make sense of what has happened. Recommended for ages 5-7.

Buy from the author

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

I Want to Hug Mummy

David Peart

From the minute she wakes up, Sophie misses her mummy and wants to hug her, feel her stroke her hair and tell her how she’s getting on at school. Sophie loves her daddy very much but it’s not the same as having her mummy around. However, she learns that somebody you love that much is always with you.

Buy from Amazon

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

Lost in the Clouds

Tom Tinn-Disbury

This sensitively written book explores grief and teaches children how to deal with their emotions surrounding the death of a loved one. Recommended for ages 4 to 6 years.

Buy from Amazon

Milly's Bug Nut

Jill Janney

Milly’s Bug Nut is the story of a family finding their way through bereavement and of Milly who finds an unexpected answer to her heart’s desire.  Jill Janney, the author of Milly’s Bug Nut, wrote this story for her own children after the death of their father.

Buy from our shop

Missing Mummy: A book about bereavement

Rebecca Cobb

Award-winning Author, Rebecca Cobb brings to light the death of a parent from a child’s point of view, featuring the emotions of grief with an underlying positivity that reflects on treasured memories and being part of a family. Recommended for ages 3 to 6 years.

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

My Mum and Me

Never Too Young To Grieve: Supporting bereaved children under five

Winston's Wish

This specialist book is designed for parents, carers, childcare professionals and other adults supporting children under five who have experienced the death of a parent or carer.

It offers information and ideas as well as activities to help young children following a bereavement and covers a range of issues that may affect a child when their parent dies.

Buy from our shop

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 

Rafi's Red Racing Car

Louise Moir

This book aims to help young children come to terms with the loss of a family member to suicide. Through sensitive language, the character Rafi struggles with his emotions, finally learning they are all natural. Recommended for ages 3 to 8 years.

Buy from Amazon

The Little Flower Bulb

Eleanor Gormally

This book follows the story of Jamie, his mum and twin sisters as they come to deal with the death of his father to suicide. The illustrated book helps children understand suicide and parents talk with children about death. Recommended for ages 3 to 10 years.

Buy from Amazon

The Lost Boys Appreciation Society

Alan Gibbons

This novel is aimed for older children, exploring the teenage years from the character Gary as he navigates high school, first crushes and GCSE’s while coping with the death of his mum and grief felt by his family. Recommended for ages 9 to 13 years.  

Buy from Amazon 

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