Children's books that speak about death and loss

Is your child struggling to cope with a loss? These books will help you.

Written By: Naz Haider | Updated : January 6, 2017 7:01 PM IST

A death or a loss of a near one is a huge blow for a child to deal with. While you may shield your child from such sad news, but what do you do when someone in the family passes away, or a friend, or worse -- a parent? Death and loss is something even adults have a hard time dealing with, and when you have to face a little child, whose emotions are too raw and understanding very innocent, how do you give them solace and comfort that life will go on. What do you tell them death means. If you are at a loss, here are a few books that will help you tide over the tough times.

Goodbye Mog by Judith Kerr: I remember losing a pet cat as a child was the most traumatic memory for me. I wish I had this book read to me then. This book is a about a pet cat who dies, but her 'spirit' continues to watch over her family. She wonders how the family will cope and what will they do now that she wasn't there. It is a beautiful book that gently explains the thought of the soul passing away from our world, yet how we always remember the people, and animals, we once loved.
No Matter What by Debi Gliori: This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. It is about a little fox who asks its mother if she would love it if he turned into ferocious animals like a bear or crocodile. The mother, obviously, answers that she will love him 'No Matter What'. Then he asks whether it is possible to love even after one dies, does love go on.
Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson: It is a book about a little girl who loves making paper dolls, which get destroyed. The paper dolls go on to live in a different place and the girl grows up and has her own daughter, who then makes her own paper dolls.
The Heart and the Bottle: This book talks about finding love and confidence after suffering a loss. It is the story of a girl who puts her heart in a bottle to save it from hurt and pain. It is a very positive book that speaks about hope and loving yourself.
Missing Mummy: Alert: It is a tear-jerker. This is a very sensitive and gently written book that explains the story of a boy's bereavement and how he copes, emotionally and physically, with the death of his mother.

Read this in Hindi.

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Children's books that speak about death and loss

Is your child struggling to cope with a loss? These books will help you.

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