Books for Children
Summary: The Treasure Box by Dave Keane (2022) is a thoughtful story about a young girl named Ruthie who finds comfort in a special box after her mother's death. Ruthie spends the story adding items to the box, and each one helps her understand her grief and remember her mother with love. The book gently explores themes of loss, memory, and healing in a way that is accessible to children.
Summary: While this book was written by events inspired by a specific event (the 9 lives lost in 2015 at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church), The President Sang Amazing Grace (Mulford, 2020) can be used to explain large-scale fatality events to children. There are additional materials in the book besides the main text such as excerpts from Obama's eulogy, biographies of the deceased, historical context, and sheet music to help further explain the situation and assist parents or caregivers in explaining similar events that may happen in their child’s home town.
Summary: What Happens After? by Diane Namm (2024) is a picture book designed to help children navigate the emotions of grief. Through gentle storytelling and kid-friendly illustrations, the book explores how to process loss, honor sorrow, and find a path forward. This book does not rush the reader through their emotions and it emphasizes that the journey through grief is both personal and a shared human experience. The book encourages children to express their feelings and understand that healing unfolds uniquely for each person.
Summary: Luna's Red Hat (Smid, 2015) is a sensitive and candid story that helps children understand and cope with the loss of a loved one to suicide. The story follows Luna, a young girl dealing with the death of her mother, and her father. Throughout the book, Luna expresses her confusion, sadness, and anger. Her father gives her emotions space and validation while he answers her questions. The book provides honest but age-appropriate explanations about suicide. It also includes a guide for adults to support meaningful conversations with children about loss and emotional well-being.
Summary: The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder (2021) is a picture book that helps children understand and cope with the loss of a pet. Children often understand pet deaths less than adults but feel them more intensely. This story follows an old dog, named Letsgoboy, as he goes on his final walk with his human named Little through the woods. Letsgoboy uses "dog speak" when he bids farewell to his world, asking that each familiar element will continue to watch over Little after he's gone. After peacefully dying, Letsgoboy watches from above as Little grieves and eventually finds joy again with a new puppy.