5 Books That Address Grief and Death
For Elementary Students
Ida, Always
Ida, Always
Why Do I Feel So Sad?
Why Do I Feel So Sad?
This touching story follows two inseparable polar bears, Gus and Ida, as they navigate the heart-wrenching reality of Ida's illness. After losing Ida, Gus realizes that she will always be with him through the memories that they shared together.
Recommended for 4- 9 year olds
This story has vibrant and engaging illustrations and provides many different examples of situations in which someone might experience grief. This book is not specific to death and normalizes how children can feel physically and emotionally when they are grieving.
Recommended for 5- 8 year olds
The Memory Box
The Memory Box
The Memory Box details a young girl’s fears about forgetting a loved one after they have died and follows her as she creates a memory box to honor her loved one.
Recommended for 4- 9 year olds
Something Very Sad Happened
Something Very Sad Happened
I love that this book uses simple language and is informative and direct. It avoids euphemisms, which is especially helpful when explaining death to a young child.
Recommended for 2-4 year olds
I Miss You
I Miss You
This book is also very informative and direct and avoids euphemisms. It touches on different cultures having unique beliefs about death and normalizes the feeling of wishing you could have done things differently after someone has died.
Recommended for 3-7 year olds
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