My heart goes out to all the people, families, and children affected by the devastating fire in Lahaina earlier this month, and it is my hope that this collection of books can be a starting point to help the littles process this traumatic event, and to cope with the grief and sadness from loss of loved ones.

In the aftermath of trauma, children are deeply affected but may have difficulty identifying and expressing their thoughts and emotions surrounding what happened. So how can you help?

Littles have the capacity to engage with and understand difficult and heavy topics. However, they need support and guidance to help them identify and process their thoughts and feelings. Picture books are an essential way to help start these conversations with children.

Below, I’ve curated a collection of books + their descriptions broken down by topic in an effort to help support to the children of Maui,

Click Here for the Full List of Books or Click on the individual titles below.

Stories Featuring Wildfires & Hurricanes

What to Bring by Lorna Schultz Nicholson // A forest fire forces Malia and her family to evacuate.While packing, Malia initially focuses on material possessions but eventually realizes that her loved ones, like her little brother, cat, and dog, are the most important things she can’t leave behind.

The Fox and the Forest Fire by Danny Popovici // After moving to a woodland area, a boy finds solace in his new environment. However, a wildfire destroys his newfound connections and he’s forced to evacuate. Yet, despite the fire’s impact, both the boy and a fox discover resilient bonds that endure, assuring them that the forest will recover, animals will return, and so will the boy and his mother.

Our Roof is Blue by Sara E. Echenique // Antonio and his sister experience a powerful hurricane in Puerto Rico, taking shelter with their parents as their home’s roof is torn away. After the storm, they use a blue tarp as a temporary roof, and Antonio becomes mute. Through imaginative play, the siblings find solace under the blue tarp, aiding Antonio’s recovery. With support from his sister and the community, a new roof is constructed, leading to Antonio’s return to speech.

Hurricane by John Rocco // A boy cherishes a weathered dock as his treasured spot for swimming, fishing, and observing minnows. However, when an impending hurricane threatens his haven, and its fierce winds and rain bring debris carried by the floodwaters, the boy will discover the power of community and the beauty of rebuilding after adversity.

Processing Traumatic Events

A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes // After witnessing a deeply distressing event, Sherman Smith initially attempts to push it from his mind. However, soon his feelings begin to manifest through anxiety and troubling dreams. It isn’t until he meets someone with whom he can talk about the terrible thing that he begins to feel better.

The Tunnel by Sarah Howden // Following a distressing event, a boy becomes emotionally withdrawn and contemplates escaping. He begins digging a tunnel from his room to the backyard, seeking solitude and darkness. In the process, he gains a new perspective on his family’s love and his emotions, and as he returns, he finds solace in his mother’s understanding presence, allowing him to open up about his feelings.

Grieving Loved Ones Lost in Natural Disasters

The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden by Heather Smith // After a tsunami devastates Makio’s village, he loses both his father and his ability to speak. However, when his neighbor, Mr. Hirota, builds a non-functional phone booth in his garden, villagers begin to gather around it. Makio gradually comprehends that the disconnected phone is a conduit for connecting with lost loved ones. Through this unique channel, he confronts his loss and finds healing, eventually rediscovering his voice.

Calling the Wind by Trudy Ludwig // Set in a Japanese village, a grieving family copes with their individual mourning processes following a loved one’s death in the wake of an earthquake. The discovery of an antique telephone booth on a windswept hill becomes a catalyst for healing. By using the phone to communicate with their departed loved one and each other, the family members gradually find solace and renewal of hope, leading to a gradual easing of their pain.

Comforting Stories to Address Death

Still Mine by Jayne Pillemer // Losing a loved one brings heartache and longing. However, though you can no longer see or touch them, their presence endures in your heart, allowing you to continue loving them in a new way.

A Garden of Creatures by Sheila Heti // In a serene garden, two bunnies and a cat enjoy a happy life until the passing of one bunny leaves a void. The surviving bunny grapples with questions about death and its impact on life. Guided by the cat’s wisdom, the little bunny learns that missing someone is a way of keeping them close. And together they discover that the big bunny is a part of everything around them.

How to Cope with Sadness and Grief

A Shelter for Sadness by Anne Booth // A young boy constructs a shelter to house his sadness, offering a haven where his emotions are embraced. In this sanctuary, he can engage with his sadness freely, allowing it to be as small or as substantial as needed. The boy regularly visits this refuge, allowing himself to grieve and communicate with his emotions.

When Sadness is at Your Door by Eva Eland //  This book gives sadness a shape and a face, and encourages the reader to give it a name, all of which helps to demystify Sadness and distinguish it from ourselves. There are even activities you can do with sadness, like sitting quietly, drawing, and going outside for a walk. This story encourages readers to embrace sadness, rather than to just “get over it.”

The Grief Rock by Natasha Daniels // This book addresses the weight of grief and the challenge of articulating feelings and managing its burden. It portrays grief as a manifestation of love for those we’ve lost. It serves as a tool to facilitate conversations about difficult emotions and includes guidance for adults on helping children cope with bereavement.

Honor the History, Culture, and Beauty of the Hawaiian Islands

Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George, Illustrated by Mae Waite // This stunning children’s book tells the story of a young girl who learns to love and care for her home with all her heart. Encounter elements of Hawaiian culture, history, and ecology, such as canoes, royal hawks, and lizard monsters. The book is written in a rhyming scheme and includes hand-printed illustrations that capture the beauty of Hawaii and will inspire curiosity and excitement in young readers.

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I hope these recs are helpful for you and your littles. Please share in the comments any additional titles to add to these categories.

*~Also, I’d love to  see and hear about your own reading adventures you are having with your little learners, so please share your story times below in the comments ~ Or Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary , FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email . I’d love to hear from you!~*