Picture books can be a helpful tool to start conversations with children about death, grief and mourning. Whether you have lost a beloved family member or need a resource to help guide kids’ questions on death, these beautiful and moving books can lead to understanding and help the healing process.
The Rock and the Butterfly
A finalist for the 2025 Governor General’s Literary Award, The Rock and the Butterfly addresses what it’s like to lose a loved one through the metaphor of a butterfly losing its friend the rock.
The moving text and striking illustrations give this book the feel of a timeless classic and provide a good jumping-off point for a discussion about grief with children.
When the Clouds Came
A helpful picture book about grief and honouring a loved one’s legacy, When the Clouds Came uses a gentle metaphor of rain clouds to explore a boy’s feelings about his grandmother’s passing. Author Sarah Tsiang wrote this story with a Chinese family at its center, showcasing activities that reflect their heritage.
A Garden of Berries and Crows
In this poignant picture book, a friendship blooms when a young autistic girl shares her grief with a new student who recently lost her father. With heartfelt storytelling, A Garden of Berries and Crows explores grief through nature, art and the transformative power of friendship.
The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden
The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden tells the story of a Japanese boy who loses his dad in a tsunami. It was inspired by the true story of the wind phone in Otsuchi, Japan, which was created by artist Itaru Sasaki. He built the phone booth so he could speak to his cousin who had passed. The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the town of Otsuchi, claiming 10 percent of the population. Residents of Otsuchi and pilgrims from other affected communities have been traveling to the wind phone since the tsunami.
Sitting Shiva
In this deeply moving picture book, a young girl learns about the practice of sitting shiva after her mother dies. A note from the author at the end of the book explains the ritual of sitting shiva, a seven-day period of mourning for the death of a family member observed in Jewish homes.
Sitting Shiva was a 2023 Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book.
Fluffy and the Stars
The loss of a beloved pet is something many children and families experience. This story is a heartfelt imagining of what happens when a pet dies.
“This story serves as a tool for fostering empathy, understanding emotions, and encouraging discussions about the natural cycle of life and death.” —Indigenous Books for Schools
What Happens When a Loved One Dies?
This nonfiction picture book written by child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts introduces very young children to the concept of death in a way that is gentle, age-appropriate and comforting.
Using questions posed in a child’s voice and answers that start simply and become more in-depth, this book allows adults to guide the conversation to a natural and reassuring conclusion.