Books About Bereavement · 56 titles considered

The Best Bereavement Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about bereavement? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Where the Red Fern Grows
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Bereavement

Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1961

Where the Red Fern Grows

By Wilson Rawls · Book #1 in the Where the Red Fern Grows series

A boy's dream of owning two dogs leads to triumph and tragedy in the Ozarks.

282 pages· 76,899 words· Est. 10.5 hour read
6.7/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 448,464 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1952

Charlotte's Web

A pig befriends a spider who devises a plan to save his life from slaughter.

184 pages· 32,307 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,091,994 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1958

Old Yeller

A boy's life changes when a stray dog becomes his unlikely hero in the Texas hills.

158 pages· 36,061 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 105,171 ratings
$23.00Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

Ida, Always

By Caron Levis, Charles Santoso (Illustrator)

A polar bear faces loss and finds comfort in memories.

40 pages· 778 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 2,775 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2010

Wherever You Are

A parent's love follows their child, no matter the distance.

32 pages· 272 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.9/7 Bookroo experts·4.6/5 Goodreads · 4,202 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 3–18 · 2015

Missing Jack

A boy faces losing his beloved cat and finds unexpected friendship with a new feline.

32 pages
4.3/5 Goodreads · 115 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

The Boy and the Gorilla

A grieving boy finds solace in an imaginary gorilla, exploring loss and healing.

48 pages· 204 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 578 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Finn's Feather

By Rachel Noble, Zoey Abbott (Illustrator)

A boy finds a feather from his lost brother, sparking a journey of memory and resilience.

56 pages
4.4/5 Goodreads · 195 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

One Wave at a Time

By Holly Thompson, Ashley Crowley (Illustrator)

A boy navigates the turbulent waves of grief after losing his father.

32 pages
4.4/5 Goodreads · 191 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

If You Miss Me

Charlie seeks solace in the moon after losing her beloved dance partner, Grandma.

40 pages
4.3/5 Goodreads · 224 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
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Bereavement Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about bereavement for preschool and elementary-age readers.

The Longest Letsgoboy

Ages 4–8 · 2021

A dog's final journey reveals love's enduring bond beyond life.

Cape

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A child finds strength in a cape while facing profound loss.

Goodbye

Ages 3–6 · 2023

Explore grief with children through simple language and vivid imagery.

The Heaven of Animals

Ages 4–8 · 2014

Discover a magical place where the love for lost pets lives on forever.

The End of Something Wonderful

Ages 5–8 · 2019

Guide children through the loss of a pet with humor and warmth.

A Last Goodbye

Ages 4–+ · 2020

Discover how animals, like humans, mourn and find hope in loss.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1799

A Stone for Sascha

Ages 5–9 · 2018

A girl's beach walk reveals a profound truth, transforming her grief over a lost pet.

The Invisible String
Sale price
$1695

The Invisible String

Ages 4–8 · 2000

A parent's love will always be present in a child's life, even when they are not physically there.

Something Very Sad Happened

Ages 2–4 · 2016

Help young children understand and cope with the loss of a loved one.

My Old Pal, Oscar
Sale price
$1695

My Old Pal, Oscar

Ages 5–7 · 2016

A boy's heart heals as a stray dog follows him, offering new hope.

Grandpa's Stories

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A girl finds a way to honor her late grandpa through cherished memories.

No Matter what

Ages 4–7 · 1999

A little fox questions if love remains despite changes.

View all bereavement picture books
Browse by age

Bereavement Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about bereavement for developing and independent readers.

Gut Reaction

Ages 8–12 · 2024

A young baker battles chronic pain while chasing her dream in a high-stakes competition.

When Someone Very Special Dies

Ages 4–8 · 1988

Help children understand and cope with death.

Mixed Up

Ages 8–12 · 2023

Two boys swap memories, losing their own. Can they uncover the truth before it's too late?

The Way Home Looks Now

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A boy's baseball dreams clash with family grief. Can the game heal their broken bonds?

The Land of Yesterday

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A girl ventures into a forbidden realm to reunite her shattered family.

Waiting for Augusta
Sale price
$799

Waiting for Augusta

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A boy's journey to Augusta may hold the key to healing his heart.

Mayday

Ages 8–12 · 2016

After a crash, Wayne must find his voice to navigate family and friendship challenges.

The Girl with More Than One Heart

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A grieving girl hears her father's voice in her heart, guiding her through life's chaos.

The Reckless Club

Ages 8–12 · 2018

Five kids face unexpected bonds and revelations during a day of punishment at a retirement home.

Untwine

Ages 12–16 · 2015

A tragic accident leaves a twin trapped in silence, unraveling family secrets.

The Afterwards

Ages 8–12 · 2018

Ember ventures into the afterworld to rescue her best friend, facing unknown dangers.

Goodbye to Goldie

Ages 5–7 · 2009

A young girl copes with the loss of her beloved dog, Goldie, with the help of her friends and family.

Keep exploring
Books about coping with deathBooks about human-animal relationshipsBooks about death, grief, and bereavementBooks about friendshipBooks about helping othersBooks about hunting

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