The best children’s books about death

One of the most celebrated children's picture books about grief, Badger's Parting Gifts discusses death and bereavement explicitly, but through animal characters. Badger is old and will die soon. He isn’t afraid, but he worries about how his friends will cope. At first, they are distraught, but gradually they come to remember all the things Badger taught them and realise that he lives on in their memories. For many children, a story about bereaved animals is more acceptable than human characters, while teaching the same comforting message.

Recommended by The Miscarriage Association, Child Bereavement UK, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Marie Curie, Where Are You Lydie? helps children understand bereavement and loss. Written by mum Emma who tragically lost her baby girl Lydie nine years ago, this book is written for young children about childhood loss, as she aimed to help her own children through the loss of their sibling.

This colourful, lift-the-flap children's book about death is aimed at toddlers, though pre-schoolers may find it reassuring, too. A little boy hears that his grandma has died, but he doesn’t really understand what death means. He asks his mum important questions about death and bereavement – such as ‘Where do we go when we die?’ - and gets clear answers. Goodbye Grandma is a good starting point for tricky conversations.

One morning a boy finds that his pet, Mousie, won't wake up. At first, the boy can’t believe it. He gets angry and then sad. But by talking about Mousie, burying Mousie in a special box, and saying good-bye he begins to come to terms with the loss. Goodbye Mousie explores a range of normal feelings, and healthy ways of dealing with death, in simple child-friendly terms. It also contains good advice from Child Bereavement UK.

When Fox lies down and dies in the forest, his friends gather around him and one by one the special moments that they shared with Fox. As they do so, a tree begins to grow, becoming stronger and taller with each memory, sheltering and protecting all the animals, the way Fox did when he was alive. The Memory Tree is a gentle, soothing picture book about celebrating loved ones and feeling their presence even after they have gone.

Granpa is a classic story about a devoted grandfather and his special bond with his granddaughter. Unlike many other books about loss, it infers his death rather than discussing it head-on – with a page showing Granpa’s empty armchair and the little girl looking sad. It may sound counter-intuitive, but for some children, this visual may make for a more organic discussion than a direct description of a grandparent’s death.

I Miss You is by a psychotherapist and counsellor, so it’s great if you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself and want clear pointers on guiding your child through their grief. It focuses on helping bereaved children to express their feelings and promotes positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. The advice to parents at the end of the story, on managing your child’s loss alongside your own, is also really constructive.

“When somebody dies, where do they go? / Do they go where the wind goes when it blows? … Do they wink back at me when I wish on a star? Do they whisper, ‘You’re perfect, just as you are’?” The poignant Where Do They Go? doesn’t sugarcoat loss, or offer certainty when – frankly – there is none. Instead, via poetry and beautiful illustrations, it meditates on the questions we all ask about loss. This would be a good fit for a sophisticated child who isn’t engaged by some of the more euphemistic books on this list, and finds solace in knowing they aren’t alone in their confusion.

Judith Kerr’s clumsy cat Mog is already a much-loved character, making this book the perfect way to explain a pet’s death to children – especially if they are already a fan of the Mog books. With sensitivity and humour, Goodbye Mog tackles the sadness of losing a pet and offers a reassuring conclusion.