Suggested Reading List
Help the child or young person explore their emotions of grief with these stories and activities.
Winston’s Wish Recommendations
Using stories and activities can be a really good way to explore issues with a child who has been bereaved. We have created a list of books, which we have found helpful when working with bereaved children, young people and their families.
Illustrator Dave Gray ©
Benny’s Hat by Juliet Clare Bell
“Benny’s hat is a beautifully illustrated introduction to serious illness and death. Written in simple and heart-warming language, Benny’s hat describes the bond between siblings before illness, during treatment and beyond when Benny dies. It is ideal for families to read together and it includes a helpful parent/carer guide too. I really like this book because it uses really simple language and sends a heart-warming message about the natural emotions involved when someone is seriously ill.”
Poppy
Badgers Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
“I like recommending the book ‘Badger’s Parting Gift’ as the story provides a gentle and sensitive way of explaining death and the positive impact of making memories that can bring such comfort in a time of grief and sadness when missing your special person”
Hannah
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
“I like this book as we often hear from parents and carers the worry for children leaving them when going to school, for example. The kissing hand is the story of a little raccoon who doesn’t want to go to school and be away from Mum, the book offers a way to feel comfort, love and assurance from a distance throughout the day”
Chloe
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
“I like this book as it offers the opportunity of bringing comfort to children who are missing someone important in their world, no matter where they are. The invisible string provides assurances that even if someone isn’t physically with them in the moment, we are still connected and still important to one another”
Chloe
Hamza Attends A Janza by Shabana Hussain
“I like this book because it walks children through the journey of a Janaza(h) in simple language and addresses some of the questions that children may have. I also really like that there is a glossary in the back of key words used in the book to inform the reader if they are unfamiliar with Muslim faith and traditions”
Layla
What Happened To Daddy’s Body? By Elke Barber
“I like this book because it offers a gentle explanation of cremation which can be a daunting topic to broach with younger children. The book shows how literally children think and provides reassurances an adult might not even consider”
Layla
Why Do Things Die? By Kate Daynes
“Why do things die is a really helpful book. It’s engaging as it is a lift the flap book and can help children understand death and dying, providing factual answers in an age appropriate way that can help to navigate tricky questions”
Chloe
Life Is Like The Wind by Shona Innes and Írisz Agócs
“I find this a sensitively written book that can gently explore and introduce the concepts of belief systems for very young children. This alongside ‘Why do Things Die’ can be a great combination to help children with some of their questions about what happens when someone dies”
Clare
Winston’s Wish Originals!
Don’t forget to browse the Winston’s Wish collection, featuring a number of books for all ages that focus on supporting bereaved children and young adults.
Our collection is designed to support parents, carers and professionals in helping children and young people navigate their grief.
Alongside this, we offer a range of books for children and young people to access themselves with activities included to cope with their feelings and emotions.
More books to explore
Books on Explaining Death or Dying
The Secret C
Julie Stokes
ISBN: 0955953928
Through pictures, captions and straightforward language, it explains how tumours are formed, what the various treatments are and how these may affect the person with cancer. This booklet is aimed at supporting parents or carers with this task, and encourages open communication and questions about cancer within the family. Recommended for ages 5 to 8 years.
When Dinosaurs Die
Laurie Krasny Brown
ISBN: 9780316119559
This picture book features the wise dinosaurs from the Dino Tales saga who come together to explain death, dying and coping with grief to young children. Recommended age 4 to 8 years.
Why Do Things Die?
Kate Daynes
ISBN: 1474979882
Illustrated by Christine Penn, this gentle look on the circle of life explores the emotions and facts around death. Touching on talking about death, what happens when a person die and how to cope with grief. Recommended for ages 4 to 6 years.
What Does Dead Mean?
Caroline Jay
ISBN: 1849053553
In a truthful and clear way, this story book answers 17 of the ‘big’ questions children often ask about death and dying. From ‘Is being dead like sleeping?’ to ‘Why do people have to die?’ This is the ideal book for parents and carers to read with children from ages 4 to 7 years.
I Miss You: A First Look At Death
Pat Thomas
ISBN: 0340911069
I Miss You is a picture book that explores the difficult issues of death for young children from understanding their loss to coming to terms with it. Author Pat Thomas, also includes notes for parents, carers and teachers on the back of the book with advice on sharing the book with young children. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years.
Life Is Like The Wind
Shona Innes and Írisz Agócs
ISBN: 1760065021
Introducing the concept of death, Like is Like the Wind offers a gentle and direct approach to the emotional issues children face. Written by clinical child psychologist, Shona Innes, the book encourages young children to talk about their feelings with others. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years.
Books on coping with the Death of a Parent
Milly’s Bug Nut
Jill Janey
ISBN: 0953912345
Milly’s Bug Nut is the story of a family finding their way through bereavement and of Milly who finds an unexpected answer to her heart’s desire. Jill Janney, the author of Milly’s Bug Nut, wrote this story for her own children after the death of their father.
Missing Mummy: A Book About Bereavement
Rebecca Cobb
ISBN: 9780230749511
Award-winning Author, Rebecca Cobb brings to light the death of a parent from a child’s point of view, featuring the emotions of grief with an underlying positivity that reflects on treasured memories and being part of a family. Recommended for ages 3 to 6 years.
Is Daddy Coming Back In A Minute
Elke Barber
ISBN: 1787757641
This book is based on the real-life conversation Elke Barber had with her then three-year old son after the sudden death of his father. This illustrated picture book is designed to help explain the concept of death and answer the difficult questions. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years.
Lost In The Clouds
Tom Tinn-Disbury
ISBN: 0241488036
This sensitively written book book explores grief and teaches children how to deal with their emotions surrounding the death of a loved one. Recommended for ages 4 to 6 years.
Rafi’s Red Racing Car
Louise Moir
ISBN: 1785922009
This book aims to help young children come to terms with the loss of a family member to suicide. Through sensitive language, the character Rafi struggles with his emotions, finally learning they are all natural. Recommended for ages 3 to 8 years.
Luna’s Red Hat
Emmi Smid
ISBN: 978-1784501112
Luna’s Red Hat is a illustrated storybook is designed to be read with children who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide. This book approaches the topic sensitively and also includes a guide for parents, carers and professionals on navigating conversations around suicide. Recommended for ages 3 to 9 years.
The Little Flower Bulb
Eleanor Gormally
ISBN: 1847302602
This book follows the story of Jamie, his mum and twin sisters as they come to deal with the death of his father to suicide. The illustrated book helps children understand suicide and parents talk with children about death. Recommended for ages 3 to 10 years.
The Lost Boys Appreciation Society
Alan Gibbons
ISBN: 1842550950
This novel is aimed for older children, exploring the teenage years from the character Gary as he navigates high school, first crushes and GCSE’s while coping with the death of his mum and grief felt by his family. Recommended for ages 9 to 13 years.
Books on coping with the Death of a Family Member
Dear Grandma Bunny: A Miffy Book
Dick Bruna
ISBN: 9781471120794
From the classic Miffy Series, the late Dick Bruna shares the tale of Miffy saying goodbye to Grandma Bunny. The book covers the death of something important, saying goodbye and thanking Grandma Bunny for everything she did. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years.
Where Is Uncle Al
Eva Hibbs
ISBN: 9781838115609
This book focuses on death before a child has been born with the story following six-year-old Lily as she embarks on a journey to know the uncle she never knew. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years.
Benny’s Hat
Juliet Clare Bell
ISBN: 1999729609
Benny’s Hat is a beautifully illustrated book that explores sibling death from cancer. The book offers guidance on supporting children through loss while explaining the emotions of grief. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years.
Memories
Always And Forever
Alan Durant
ISBN: 0552567655
This beautifully illustrated book explores emotions around grief with woodland characters grieving their friend, Fox. This touching story focuses on loss and remembering loved ones through shared memories. Recommended for ages 3 to 6 years.
Illustrator Debi Gliori ©
Badgers Parting Gifts
Susan Varley
ISBN: 1849395144
The popular picture book helps children to prepare and understand death, and how a person can go on to live through their friends with shared memories. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years.
Big Feelings
The Invisible String
Patrice Karst
ISBN: 031648623X
This illustrated book helps children cope with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss and grief. The Invisible String explores questions about the connections between people and opens up conversations about love. Recommended ages 3 to 6 years.
The Huge Bag Of Worries
Virgina Ironside
ISBN: 0340903171
This reassuring picture book is designed to encourage children to open up about their fears and anxieties to help manage their feelings during stressful times. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years.
The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn
ISBN: 1939100429
This heart warming children’s classic helps children manage separation anxiety, which young children who are grieving often experience. Recommended for children aged 3 to 5 years.
A Shelter For Sadness
Anne Booth
ISBN: 1800780877
This picture book explores the importance of making space and time for grief, whether that’s big or small and release emotions after someone important has died. Recommended for ages 5 to 9 years.
You Will Be Okay
Julie Stokes
ISBN: 1526363895
Winston’s Wish founder and Clinical Psychologist, Julie Stokes provides readers with the tools they need to navigate grief after someone important has died. With stories from people who have been through grief and practical exercises, children can start to understand and cope with their feelings. Recommended for ages 9 to 12 years.
Michael Rosen’s Sad Book
Michael Rosen
ISBN: 9781406317848
This moving book shares the chronicles of Michael’s grief at the death of his son Eddie and his own mother’s death. The novel acknowledges that sadness is not always avoidable or reasonable. Recommended for ages 6 to 11 years.
Tough Stuff Journal
Pete English
ISBN: 9781999865306
This journal is for young people after an important person has died. It is designed for young people to work through on their own or with a trusted adult that helps them express feelings and emotions that are difficult to articulate. Recommended for ages 9 to 13 years.
Angry Arthur
Hiawyn Oram
ISBN: 1842707744
This original anger management book has been helping frustrated children work through their anger and understand their emotions. Recommended for ages 3 to 5 years.
Books about attending Funerals
What Happened To Daddy’s Body?
Elke Barber
ISBN: 1787756467
This picture book aims to help young children understand what happens to the body after someone has died. The story follows Alex as he learns about cremation, burial and spreading ashes in a sensitive and easily digestible manner. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years.
Faith Based Books
Stones For Grandpa
Renee Londner
ISBN: 978-1512494754
This book follows the story of a young boy as he gathers at the cemetery with his family for the unveiling of his grandpa’s gravestone, bringing stones to place on the grave, in the Jewish custom. Recommended for ages 5 to 9 years.
Included with the permission of Kar-Ben Publishing. All rights reserved.
Hamza Attends A Janaza
Shabana Hussain
ISBN: 0860378934
This story is a gentle introduction to attending an Islamic funeral, told from the child’s perspective. It is aimed to familiarise children with the etiquettes and rituals surrounding the funeral. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years.
We Will Meet Again In Jannah: What A Great Day That Will Be
Zamir Hussain
ISBN: 1842001329
This illustrated picture book helps children make sense of the loss of a sibling while learning about life and the Islamic perspective of death. Recommended for ages 4 to 11 years.
When I’m With Jesus
Kimberly Rae
ISBN: 1484081730
The Christian illustrated book is created to help young children see a loved one’s transition to Heaven as a joyful thing. The book comforts children and reminds them that a loved one has not been forgotten. Recommended for ages 5 to 9 years.
SEND Books
Remembering Lucy: A Story About Loss And Grief In a School
Sarah Helton
ISBN: 1785923072
Written by the Back Pocket Teacher, Sarah Helton, helps young children with SEND navigate their grief after a friend dies. The book focuses on remembering a person and celebrating the life of a person who has died. Recommended for ages 3 and above.
Books Beyond Words
Sheila Hollins | Lester Sireling | Irene Tuffrey-Wijne | Sandra Dowling | Noelle Blackman
This series of books written by multiple authors, explores various topics of death and dying including the death of mum and dad. Beautifully illustrated, the books help children with SEND understand the complex nature of death.
A Jumble Of Knotted Thoughts
Sarah Helton
This sensory story explores feelings of grief and looks at how children with SEND can look after themselves when they are grieving. Recommended for ages 4 and above.
I Have A Question About Death
Gaines and Polsky
ISBN: 1785927507
This award-winning book is designed to help children with additional needs to understand what happens when someone dies. The book uses clear illustrations throughout and provides information to parents and guardians to have conversations around death. Recommended for ages 5 to 11 years.
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