Chosen by Angela SchellenbergLicensed trauma therapist

Books about losing a child

Q: What is the best book to start with for losing a child?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore. In her words: “Joanne founded the MISS Foundation after losing her own child. There is no one better to write this book.”

Q: What other books does Angela recommend for losing a child?

Also on this shelf: Empty Cradle, Broken Heart by Deborah Davis, PhD; I Will Carry You by Angie Smith; Healing Your Grieving Heart After Miscarriage by Alan Wolfelt, PhD; The Worst Loss by Barbara Rosof; Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child by Gary Roe; The Still Point of the Turning World by Emily Rapp Black; Life After Baby Loss by Nicola Gaskin. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Q: Is there a guided journal for losing a child?

Yes. Still Your Mother is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

For the grief that breaks the natural order.

Pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infant loss, the loss of a child of any age. We hold this with the weight it deserves. There’s also a dedicated child loss resources page → with people and organizations alongside these books.

8 books · each with Angela’s note on who it helps

See the books ↓Angela’s journal for this loss →

The 8 books

Bearing the Unbearable Joanne Cacciatore Angela saysJoanne founded the MISS Foundation after losing her own child. There is no one better to write this book. View on Amazon

Empty Cradle, Broken Heart Deborah Davis, PhD Angela saysThe classic on perinatal loss. Comprehensive, compassionate, used by hospitals and grief therapists everywhere. View on Amazon

I Will Carry You Angie Smith Angela saysAngie's memoir of carrying a baby who would not live. For women facing a terminal prenatal diagnosis or grieving stillbirth. View on Amazon

Healing Your Grieving Heart After Miscarriage Alan Wolfelt, PhD Angela saysA short, gentle companion for women whose pregnancy did not come home. Read in pieces, when you can. View on Amazon

The Worst Loss Barbara Rosof Angela saysA guide for parents who have lost a child, written by a clinical psychologist. Direct, kind, no platitudes. View on Amazon

Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child Gary Roe Angela saysShort chapters that meet you where you are. Many parents tell me this is the one they could read when nothing else fit. View on Amazon

The Still Point of the Turning World Emily Rapp Black Angela saysA memoir written while loving a toddler with a terminal diagnosis. Beautiful, devastating, true. View on Amazon

Life After Baby Loss Nicola Gaskin Angela saysWritten by a mother whose son died at six weeks old. Practical guidance for moving through the early months, in her own voice. View on Amazon

Angela’s journal for this lossStill Your MotherA child loss grief journal.$14.99See the journal →

Common questions

What is the best book to start with for losing a child?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore. In her words: “Joanne founded the MISS Foundation after losing her own child. There is no one better to write this book.”

What other books does Angela recommend for losing a child?

Also on this shelf: Empty Cradle, Broken Heart by Deborah Davis, PhD; I Will Carry You by Angie Smith; Healing Your Grieving Heart After Miscarriage by Alan Wolfelt, PhD; The Worst Loss by Barbara Rosof; Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child by Gary Roe; The Still Point of the Turning World by Emily Rapp Black; Life After Baby Loss by Nicola Gaskin. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Is there a guided journal for losing a child?

Yes. Still Your Mother is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

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Grief support groups and hotlines

Hotlines, support groups, grief camps for kids, and online communities, sorted by type of loss.

See support organizations →