Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way To Explain Death To Children by Bryan Mellonie (author) & Robert Ingpen (illustrator)
What we love about it: Lifetimes does a beautiful job illustrating how death is a natural part of life on Earth. The story uses repetition to emphasize the commonalities between plants, animals, and people as they enter the world and die.
Themes: Death, Nature, Lifecycle
Ages: 3+
"I Miss You" series by Pat Thomas (Author) and Lesley Harker (Illustrator)
What we love about this book: I Miss You centers around a grandchild and their grandparent's death. The story talks about funerals, feelings associated with grief and loss, and how kids can use memories to develop connection and resilience in bereavement.
Themes: Death, Funerals, Grandparents, Grief
Ages: 3+
Duck, Death and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch
What we love about it: Duck, Death and the Tulip is different than other books on our list. It dives more into surrealism with a tender story about a duck who converses with death and ultimately dies. We like how this story can help encourage conversations about the characters and opens the door for dialog with older kids.
Themes: Death, Loss, Nature, Fiction
Ages: 9+
Something Small by Sesame Street in Communities
What we love about it: When we first read Something Small, we knew it had to be on our list. This short story features Elmo's cousin Jesse who just experienced her dad's death. Elmo helps Jesse find small ways to remember her dad throughout the day and helps her develop coping skills in her grief. Something Small gives families concrete ways to practice remembrance and offers a wide range of free activities on their website that pair with the book.
Themes: Parent loss, Healthy grief rituals
Ages: 2+