Grief Books for Bereaved Children

	A Letter From Heaven by Steve Butler A Letter From Heaven was written to help parents introduce to a living child the birth, life, and death of an older sibling. A Letter From Heaven affirms the power of a name and the bond of love that binds family members together in life and in death
	Helping Children Grieve and Grow By Donna O'Toole Beautifully written, with colorful illustrations and large print to invite validation and understanding, this 24 page booklet is easy to understand and immensely useful. The information provided is broad in scope, yet it is so concisely presented that complex issues can be grasped and understood with ease. Topics include: How to Understand The Impact of Loss and Grief on Children, How Children & Adults Grieve Differently, Things Adults Can Say and Do That Help, How To Talk With Children About Death, Special Concerns and Vulnerabilities of Grieving Children and What Can Be Done, What Helps Children Bounce Back, and How To Know When Help Is Needed-Where and How To Find Help. Generous multiple quantity discounts are available. Available from Compassion Books, Inc.
	The Dragonfly Door By John Adams The Dragonfly Door is a beautifully illustrated children's book about loss and change. It is a tender story of two insect friends who live underwater. One day, Lea disappears. While sleeping, Nym discovers Lea has died and receives a glimpse of what Lea has become.

Bereaved Children and Teens : A Support Guide for Parents and Professionals, by Earl A Grollman
Topics include what to say and what not to say when explaining death to very young children; how teenagers grieve differently from children and adults; how to translate Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish beliefs about death into language that children can understand; how ethnic and cultural differences can affect how children grieve; what teachers and parents can do to help bereaved young people at school; and activities, books, and films that help children and teens cope. Available from amazon.com.

Children Also Grieve: Talking About Death And Healing, by Linda Goldman
This book for children on the topic of grief speaks simply and practically on a sensitive subject and is beautifully illustrated. The memory book section is particularly useful, as is the guide for adults. A true “must have” as a resource to help grieving children! Available from amazon.com.

Healing Activities for Children in Grief, by Gay McWhorter
This is an activity book designed to help counselors in a group setting help children following a death. The book is divided into three sections: children's activities (ages 5-8), preteen activities (ages 9-12), and teen activities (ages 13-18). In each section counselors can choose from a variety of opening activities designed to promote discussion and main activities that involve a specific topic or theme. There is also a special holiday section. Available from amazon.com.

Sad Isn't Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss (Elf-Help Books for Kids), by Michaelene Mundy, R. W. Alley , Illustrator.
Well-crafted summary of the grief process, the book has 14 sections of two to three paragraphs that discuss the various aspects of grief, and the ways people cope with the death of loved ones. Written for a young audience, the material is valuable for all ages. While assuming the concept of life after death, this book is sensitive to differences in religious belief and practices and provides opportunities for the young reader to think, to ask questions and to grow. The illustrations are clever and interesting to young children, they support the message in the text. An introductory message to adults who are working with children offers additional insights and ideas for working through grief. Available from amazon.com.

Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers: How to Cope With Losing Someone You Love, by Earl A. Grollman
With brief entries such as "Accidental Death," "Self-Inflicted Death," "Talking," "Crying," and "Going Nuts," Grollman offers advice and answers the kinds of questions that teens are likely to ask themselves when grieving the death of someone close. Available from amazon.com.

35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child, by Dougy Center Staff
Presents simple and practical suggestions for how to support him or her. Learn what behaviors and reactions to expect from children at different ages, ways to create safe outlets for children to express their thoughts and feelings and how to be supportive during special events such as the memorial service, anniversaries and holidays. Available from amazon.com.

We Were Gonna Have a Baby, But We Had an Angel Instead, by Pat Schwiebert, Taylor Bills, Illustrator.
This book is great for a family who has lost a baby, no matter the gestation. It doesn't answer all the questions, but nothing does. This book certainly helps children. Available from amazon.com.

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We look forward to expanding our good grief resources to offer more services for people suffering from grief and for people who provide support for the bereaved. If you have a grief related resource, please let us know about it by adding your listing.