Losing a loved one is heart-breaking at any age, and even adults can struggle to process their grief. For children, those feelings can feel even bigger, more confusing, and completely overwhelming. They may not yet have the words, the perspective, or the coping strategies to make sense of what they’re feeling. As caregivers, parents, and educators, the best we can do is be present, offer comfort, and provide tools to help children navigate the grieving process.

One powerful tool we can share is a picture book. Stories allow children to see their own emotions reflected, give them language to express their feelings, and show them ways to cope. Through relatable characters and gentle storytelling, picture books can guide children toward understanding, healing, and hope, even in the face of loss.

In honor of National Grief Awareness Day, I’ve gathered this list of picture books that help children understand, process, and talk about grief. These books remind us that while loss is hard, love and connection remain, and that no child has to navigate their feelings alone.

Picture books to help children process grief from…

Find the full book list on Amazon | Bookshop, or click on the individual titles linked below:

Loss of a mother

The Girl Who Sings to Bees by Chiquis | After her mother’s passing, Janney can’t bring herself to sing the songs they once shared in Abuelita’s garden. But watching a determined little bee helps her rediscover courage, until one day, her own song finally returns, carrying her mother’s love with it.

Together We Remember by Jackie Morena | Giselle and Papi remember Mami through imaginative adventures ~ rainforest hikes, planet-hopping, and storytelling ~ keeping her spirit alive.

Loss of a father

Our Lake by Angie Kang | On a hot summer day, two brothers stand at the edge of the lake, remembering their father who once dove with them. As the younger boy hesitates, the memory of Father’s presence gives him the courage to leap.

The Dreams We Made by Lisa Bentley | Every night, a little girl and her daddy build dreams together, until the night he doesn’t come home. When she learns Daddy has died, her world feels broken. With love and support from Mommy, she slowly finds comfort in creating again, carrying Daddy’s memory with her in every dream she builds.

Loss of a sibling

Remembering Ethan by Lesléa Newman | Sarah misses her big brother Ethan deeply, but her parents avoid talking about him since his death. Longing to keep his memory alive, Sarah encourages her family to remember and celebrate him together.

The Hole by Lindsay Bonilla | After his little brother Matty dies, a boy feels like there’s a hole everywhere he goes: at bedtime, at dinner, in his heart. When he finally explores the hole, he discovers his grief and how much he misses Matty. With the support of a friend, he learns that talking about his brother brings comfort and helps fill the emptiness with love and memories.

Loss due to miscarriage

Dear Star Baby by Malcolm Newsome | Told through a heartfelt letter to his unborn sibling, the story follows a young boy as he grieves his family’s miscarriage. He shares his hopes, dreams, and sadness, while finding comfort in imagining his Star Baby shining in the night sky, always close in heart and memory.

Always Sisters by Saira Mir | When Raya’s excitement about becoming a big sister is shattered by the heartbreaking news that baby Nura won’t be coming home, she struggles with sadness and confusion. With the support of her family, friends, and school counselor, Raya learns how to grieve and discovers that the love she holds for her sister will always remain.

Loss of a grandmother

Memory Stones by Kathy Kacer | When Sophie’s beloved Granny passes away, she struggles with missing her deeply. Flowers at the grave fade too quickly, but after learning about the tradition of placing stones, Sophie finds a lasting way to honor Granny and keep their special memories alive.

When We Find Her by M. García Peña | Lila and her Abuelo Carlos miss Abuela Ana deeply, but when they set out to cook her signature dish, sancocho, they find comfort in the memories each ingredient brings. Together, they rediscover love, family, and the ways Abuela’s spirit still fills their home.

Loss of a grandfather

Remembering Sundays with Grandpa by Lauren H. Kerstein | Henry and his mom remember Grandpa through all the little things he loved: silly storytimes, cucumbers that made him hiccup, and the music box they used to dance to. By holding onto these memories, they begin to heal and keep Grandpa’s love close.

All From a Walnut by Ammi-Joan Paquette | When Emilia discovers a walnut, Grandpa shares the story of how a single nut carried him across the ocean to a new home. Together, they plant and nurture Emilia’s seedling, but as her tree grows, Grandpa begins to fade. After his passing, Emilia finds comfort and strength in caring for her sapling, keeping his love and legacy alive.

Loss of an aunt

Zora, the Story Keeper by Ebony Joy Wilkins | Zora adores her Aunt Bea, the family’s best storyteller, and loves acting out real family stories in her aunt’s kitchen. As Aunt Bea begins to slow down, Zora steps in, discovering the joy of telling stories and realizing her aunt’s greatest gift: preparing her to become the family’s new story keeper.

Loss of a pet

Fish Friends Forever by Kerry Ferguson | A young girl joyfully welcomes her pet fish, Frank, into her life, sharing games, holidays, and even lullabies together. When Frank dies, she is heartbroken, but through her grief, she begins to learn that love can grow again, even after loss.

The Thing about Love by Linda Ashman | From the moment they meet, a boy and his dog share a deep, joyful bond filled with play, adventures, and milestones. When it’s time to say goodbye, the heartache is real, but their love endures, leaving memories that last forever.

Loss of a friend / peer

Missing Violet by Kelly Swemba | Violet and Mia are inseparable, until Violet falls ill and passes away, leaving Mia heartbroken. As she moves through her grief, Mia begins to reconnect with her classmates and discovers that remembering what she loved most about Violet helps her find color and joy in life again.

Loss of a loved one to suicide

Why? by Melissa Heath | Oliver’s daddy loved him endlessly, but one day he died by suicide. Through his mother’s hugs and reassurances, Oliver learns that his father’s love never changes. This gentle story uses age-appropriate language and illustrations to help children understand and cope with the loss of a parent to suicide, with additional guidance for caregivers.

Loss of a loved one to substance abuse / overdose

All the Pieces by Hallie Riggs | Children who lose a loved one to overdose often face stigma and misinformation, leaving them with guilt, confusion, and unresolved grief. This book helps parents and caregivers provide honest explanations, validate feelings, and normalize the grieving process, supporting children as they navigate loss and remember their loved one.

Addressing Grief in General:

Grief is an Elephant by Tamara Ellis Smith | Gently explores the journey of mourning, showing how grief can shrink over time, from a massive elephant to a small, guiding firefly.

Death is Stupid by Anastasia Higginbotham | An honest, empathetic look at grief, acknowledging the anger, confusion, and fear children feel when someone dies.

See You on the Other Side by Rachel Montez Minor | Offers a tender tribute to loved ones we’ve lost, showing that their love stays with us forever.

A Garden of Creatures by Sheila Heti | When the big bunny in a peaceful garden passes away, the little bunny struggles with loss and wonder about death. Guided by the wise cat, she learns that missing someone keeps them close and that their presence lives on in the world around them, turning the garden, and life itself, into a celebration of love and memory.

The Bear-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty | Gerda and Orlo are inseparable bear friends, sharing games, stories, and walks together, until Orlo becomes seriously ill. As they spend precious time making lasting memories, Gerda learns to navigate her grief and fill the bear-shaped hole left behind.

You’ll Be There by Amanda R. Hill | Shows children that loved ones remain with us, not just in memories, but in future experiences too. Through everyday moments like building a snowman or watching fireworks, children learn gentle, comforting ways to honor and remember those they’ve lost, blending grief with hope and remembrance.

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