A Learn @ your Library Booklist for children and their families

The loss of a loved one causes great pain and often results in a series of traumatic changes. A child faces these painful adjustments with little or no experience, which frequently causes overwhelming feelings of fear and aloneness. While written for specific ages, the following books may offer comfort to everyone involved.

Be assured that these titles and others on family issues are available at Cranston libraries and through the Rhode Island Library system.

THE TWO OF THEM
Aliki
Ages 4 to 8
A young girl tells about her beloved grandfather's life and death.

PABLO REMEMBERS
Ancona, George
Ages 8+
El Dia de Los Muertos is a Mexican tradition that helps a young boy celebrate the memory of his beloved grandmother.

WHAT WE DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES
Arnold, Caroline
Ages 10+
An explanation of why we die is followed by information on funerals, memorials and different beliefs about death.

RUDI'S POND
Bunting, Eve
Ages 4 to 8
A group of school children respond to the illness and death of the narrator's best friend, Rudi, by helping to build a pond in his memory. Based on a true story.

THE BELLS OF SANTA LUCIA
Cazzola, Gus
Ages 4+
The ringing bells in Tuscany remind a child of how much she misses her grandmother. This Italian story shows the universal experience of grief.

EVERETT ANDERSON'S GOODBYE
Clifton, Lucille
Ages 4 to 8
When his father dies, Everett goes through the stages of grief. Simply and thoughtfully told.

MOLLY'S ROSEBUSH
Cohn, Janice
Ages 5+
A rosebush is planted in remembrance of a child lost through miscarriage.

SAYING GOODBYE TO LULU
Demas, Corinne
Preschool to Grade 2
A girl cares tenderly for her old dog, Lulu, whose vision, hearing and general health are declining. Though she wishes that they could play together as they used to, she knows that her dog will not get well.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Durant, Alan
Preschool to Grade 2
Otter, Mole, Fox and Hare share a house in the woods. When Fox dies, the other three struggle with their grief. By remembering the love, wisdom and support he showed them and the funny things he used to do, they are able to create a memorial for him.

A SEASON FOR MANGOES
Hanson, Regina
Kindergarten to Grade 4
A girl in modern Jamaica gathers her courage and tells, through her tears, about Nana's love of mangoes and joy in life, during the all-night "sit-up" – a kind of wake – to honor her grandmother who has died.

GOODBYE MOUSE
Harris, Robie
Ages 2 to 4
A little boy wakes up one morning and tickles his pet mouse's tummy, but Mousie doesn't move. So begins this story for the very youngest about the death of a pet.

POPPY'S CHAIR
Hesse, Karen
Ages 3 to 8
A favorite chair eases a young girl's sadness of missing her grandfather.

THE BUG CEMETERY
Hill, Frances
Preschool to Gr. 1
When a boy finds a dead ladybug, he and his sister hold a pretend funeral. Billy, the boy next door, joins in by bringing over a dead fly. Soon more neighborhood children want to take part in the ritual and bring various bugs for burial, creating a cemetery.

THAT SUMMER
Johnston, Tony
Ages 6 to 9
A family, one of whom is dying, sews a quilt of its memories and love. Every element, visual and verbal, is certain to tug at the heart.

LOSING UNCLE TIM
Jordan, MaryKate
Ages 7 to 12
A beloved uncle dies of aids.  The message is one of reassurance, understanding and courage.

GERALDINE'S BLANKET
Keller, Holly
Ages 2 to 6
Geraldine Pig is attached to her baby blanket. As it wears out, Geraldine must adjust to the changes.

LEARNING TO SAY GOODBYE
LeShan, Eda J.
Ages 10+
Discussions focus on the questions and fears that a child has when a parent dies.

SOME OF THE PIECES
Madenski, Melissa
Ages 5+
Remembering both the silly and the serious things about their dad helps two children deal with the pain of missing him. This story includes the tradition of cremation and spreading the ashes.

LIFETIMES
Mellonie, Bryan
All Ages
Everything has a beginning and an ending. What happens in between is a lifetime. Effective illustrations and simple words offer a clear explanation of death at any age.

TOO FAR AWAY TO TOUCH
Newman, Leslea
Ages 4+
An uncle explains to his niece that when he dies he'll be like the stars: too far away to touch, but close enough to see.

STACY HAD A LITTLE SISTER
Old, Wendie
All Ages
This story is about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. An introductory note to parents is helpful.

A CHRISTMAS SONATA
Paulsen, Gary
All Ages
This is a timeless tale of a Christmas miracle that restores the faith of a child whose cousin is dying.

A STORY FOR HIPPO
Puttock, Simon
Preschool to Gr. 2
Monkey's best friend, Hippo, tells stories every night! One night, Hippo gently explains that she is very tired and going to die. This is the story of Monkey's journey of grief, from anger and tears to understanding.

THE SADDEST TIME
Simon, Norma
Ages 5 to 8
A comforting poem weaves its way through three stories about the death of an uncle, a grandmother and a classmate.

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Smith, Doris Buchanan
Ages 6 to 10
A young boy shares the story of his friend's death.

A CANDLE FOR GRANDPA
Techner, David
Ages 8+
Beginning with the lighting of a yahrzeit candle, this story explains the Jewish funeral.

THE TENTH GOOD THING ABOUT BARNEY
Viorst, Judith
Ages 4 to 8
When his cat dies, a young boy holds a funeral and lists all the good things he remembers about Barney.

BADGER'S PARTING GIFTS
Varley, Susan
Ages 4+
Recalling warm and loving memories of Badger helps the community of animals to deal with their loss.

BEAR'S LAST JOURNEY
Weigeit, Udo
Preschool to Gr. 2
This gentle picture book succeeds in articulating the sense of loss and confusion that children may feel when a loved one dies.

THE GREAT CHANGE
White Deer of Autumn
All Ages
A Native American girl asks questions about the meaning of death.

I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
Wilhelm, Hans
Ages 3 to 8
This beautiful story tells of a boy's relationship with his dog. When the dog dies, the boy finds comfort in the many memories he has.

GRANDAD BILL'S SONG
Yolen, Jane
All Ages
In this beautifully written book, family members and a friend share their feelings about Bill's death. Reactions are grippingly realistic.

This booklist was prepared at the
CRANSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
140 Sockanosset Cross Road
Cranston, Rhode Island
 
(401) 943-9080
by Michelle A. Vallee