DEATH
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Death - AMOS, J
Aimed at older children, this book looks at the deaths of a father, grandparents and sister. Positive in tone.
Cherrytree
2007
9781842344835
7+
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Pizza on Saturday - ANDERSON, R
Charlotte's father makes her sandwiches, goes to work and doesn't come back. It turns out that he has had a stroke and died. Author deals with this difficult situation with sensitivity.
Hodder
2004
9780340874028
8+
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Seven for a Secret - ANHOLT, L
A warm story, written through letters between Grampa and Ruby. When Grampa dies, Ruby finds the secret he left for her.
Frances Lincoln
2006
9781845073008
5+
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A Place in My Heart - AUBREY, A
The rhyme is initially off putting but the story is saying all the right things. The illustrations complement the story well and are clear and expressive. Notes for parents and teachers at the back of the book make a useful starting point for discussion.
QED
2007
9781845386931
4+
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Rudi’s pond - BUNTING, E
A story about the death of a friend. It goes beyond the initial grief a child feels and deals very positively with what they can do to remember them.
Clarion
1999
9780395890677
6+
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Granpa - BURNINGHAM, J
A gentle evocation of conversations between a grandfather and his small granddaughter, culminating in her acceptance of his death.
Cape
1984
9780224022798
4+
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Up In Heaven - CLARK, E C
It’s only when Daisy, Arthur’s dog, sends him dreams from heaven that he is able to cope with her death and move on to consider a new dog.
Andersen
2003
9781842700464
5+
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Mama’s going to Heaven soon - COPELAND, K
A very simple book where parents explain to their children that “Mama” is going to die soon from cancer.
Augsburg
2005
9780806651229
2+
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The Grandad Tree - COOKE, T
A gentle story about an Afro-Caribbean family, particularly Grandad, who played with the children under the apple tree. After his death they plant another tree to remember him by.
Walker
2000
9780744525762
5+
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Scrumpy - DALE, E
After Scrumpy's death, Ben realises that a new dog would be a new friend rather than a replacement of his old one.
Andersen
1994
978082647032
4+
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Her Mother’s Face - DOYLE, R
Simple, effective story of a young girl who is sad because she cannot remember the face of her mother who died when the child was just 3 years old. Sensitively told with a touch of humour.
Blackwood
2008
9781407107073
6+
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Always and Forever - DURANT, A
Animals take comfort in remembering a lost friend and realise that he is still in their hearts and memories.
Corgi
2004
9780552548779
3+
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Saying goodbye to a Brother or Sister - EDWARDS, N
Useful book to share with a child - covers the range of feelings a bereaved child may experience. Honest and empathetic treatment of the subject.
Chrysalis
2003
9781841388359
7+
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Saying goodbye to a Friend - EDWARDS, N
Intended to help parents, carers and teachers meet the needs of children grieving for a friend - using real-life situations.
Chrysalis
2003
9781841388366
7+
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Saying goodbye to a Grandparent - EDWARDS, N
A book for an adult to use with a child to promote discussion and to involve the child in the process associated with bereavement, if that is what they choose to do.
Chrysalis
2003
9781841388342
7+
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Saying goodbye to a Parent - EDWARDS, N
A positive book looking at the various issues surrounding the death of a parent and how to deal with them. A book for an adult and child to use together.
Chrysalis
2005
9781844584680
7+
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Saying goodbye to a Pet - EDWARDS, N
Offers practical suggestions for managing grief. Encourages children to ask questions and share feelings. Best used with an adult.
Chrysalis
2003
9781841388373
7+
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Grandad’s bench - FARMER, A
A sympathetic look at coming to terms with grandad’s death. Jake decides to create a memorial to cope with his sadness.
Walker
2008
9781406311396
6+
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Beautiful - FOWLER, S
A boy eventually comes to terms with the terminal illness of his uncle. They share the planting of a garden.
Greenwillow
1999
9780688151119
6+
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Little Bear's Grandad - GRAY, N
Little Bear has a close relationship with his Grandad - they share stories and a tree house and enjoy each other's company. Grandad becomes ill and dies but Little Bear grows up and shares the tree house with his child. Warm and reassuring.
Little Tiger Press
2000
9781854306364
4+
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Just Grandpa and Me -GRINDLEY, S
Grandpa and grandson spend a day by the sea remembering grandma in all the happy things they do.
Dorling Kindersley
1998
9780751370652
5+
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Little Elephant Thunderfoot - GRINDLEY, S
A realistic story of the death of the grandmother elephant and how the herd react to her death. Unsentimental.
Orchard
1996
9781860391538
3+
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Goodbye Mousie - HARRIS, R H
A little boy wakes up to find his pet mouse has died. He goes through the emotions of denial, anger and sadness as his parents explain what has happened and help him to bury his pet.
Simon and Schuster
2001
9780689836114
3+
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Jim’s Lion - HOBAN, R
Jim is very ill in hospital and is frightened of not coming back after his operation. The nurse gives him a story to think about and the will to live - in picture book format.
Walker
2001
9780744575064
9+
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Josh - JEFFS, S
A Christian view on death and bereavement. It deals with the death of an adult friend of the family.
Barnabas
2005
9781841014234
4+
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Remembering Crystal - LOTH, S
Goose and Tortoise are good friends. When Tortoise dies, Goose finds that remembering happy times helps her cope with her sadness.
North South
2010
9780735823006
4+
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Pearl - MURPHY, S
Pearl’s Grandmother has Alzheimer’s , and eventually dies. Pearl finds a way to cope by writing a poem that she reads out at the funeral.
Walker
2009
9781406327106
8+
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The Best Cat in the World - NEWMAN, L
Gentle story of the death of pet cat, Charlie. Victor is inconsolable until the vet persuades him to adopt a new kitten.
Eerdmans Books
2004
9780802852526
4+
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Remembering Mum - PERKINS, G
This is a real family - dad and two little boys - who are grieving over their recently lost wife and mum. Illustrated with photographs of the family.
A & C Black
1991
9780713633818
4+
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Remembering my Brother - PERKINS, G
Greg talks about how he and his family feel after the death of his 7 year old brother. Illustrated with photographs of the real family that the book is based on.
A & C Black
1996
9780713645415
4+
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Lovely Old Roly - ROSEN, M
When the children’s cat, Roly, dies they are reluctant to replace him. However, they come to realise that their memories of him will always be with them and that taking on a new stray cat is possible.
Frances Lincoln
2002
9780711214880
3+
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Sad Book - ROSEN, M
Drawing on his own experience of his son's death, Michael Rosen looks at what makes people feel sad. Beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake and appropriate for children and adults.
Walker
2004
9780744598988
7+
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Janna and the Kings - SMITH, P
Joanna feels a little better after the death of her beloved Granddaddy when his friends welcome her as before.
Lee and Low
2004
9781584300885
5+
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Badger's parting gifts - VARLEY, S
As badger prepares to die, to go 'down the long tunnel', he leaves behind a simple note. His friends grieve, but find comfort in remembering the way each had been helped by badger.
Random
1992
9781856811644
5+
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Harry & Hopper - WILD, M
The illustrations in this book are very atmospheric and use a range of styles. This is a sensitive story about the death of a pet, and looks at how the child deals with letting go.
Scholastic
2009
9781407111384
3+
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Old Pig - WILD, M
A sad, but beautifully told, story of the pleasure of old age and the positive aspects of preparing for death.
Viking
1996
9780670867066
4+
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Jenny Angel - WILD, M
Jenny hopes to protect her brother from dying, but is unable to. Mother and Jenny find comfort together at the end.
Viking
1999
9780670845057
5+
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Vicky Angel - WILSON, J
This story may help older children come to terms with the death of a friend. However, the fact that Vicky becomes a ghost and haunts Jade will not be to everyone’s taste. The ending is less than satisfactory when considering that it is Vicky, not Jade, who makes the break.
Yearling
2001
9780440864158
11+
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Sniff - YOKOCOCO
Gentle and sensitive story about the feelings of pain and loss linked to the death of a grandmother, with a reassuring ending.
Walker
2010
9781406323269
3+
Useful Organisations
CRUSE
Bereavement Care: helping those who have been affected by a death
0844 477 9400 (for young people)
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