Chosen by Angela SchellenbergLicensed trauma therapist

Books for parents of grieving children

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

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is A Parent's Guide to Raising Grieving Children by Phyllis Silverman & Madelyn Kelly. In her words: “From decades of research at the Center for Loss and Bereavement. The textbook for parents, in the best sense.”

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

Also on this shelf: The Grieving Child by Helen Fitzgerald; 35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child by The Dougy Center; A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood Grief by Katie Lear, LCMHC. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

How to be there for a child after a loss.

For parents, caregivers, and anyone in the room with a grieving young person.

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

See the books ↓

The 4 books

A Parent's Guide to Raising Grieving Children Phyllis Silverman & Madelyn Kelly Angela saysFrom decades of research at the Center for Loss and Bereavement. The textbook for parents, in the best sense. View on Amazon

The Grieving Child Helen Fitzgerald Angela saysAge-by-age guidance on how children grieve and what helps. Easy to reference in a hurry. View on Amazon

35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child The Dougy Center Angela saysFrom the leading children's grief center in the U.S. A short, practical book to read in one sitting. View on Amazon

A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood Grief Katie Lear, LCMHC Angela saysA child therapist's handbook for the long arc, from telling them, through the years that follow. View on Amazon

Common questions

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

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is A Parent's Guide to Raising Grieving Children by Phyllis Silverman & Madelyn Kelly. In her words: “From decades of research at the Center for Loss and Bereavement. The textbook for parents, in the best sense.”

What other books does Angela recommend for parenting a grieving child?

Also on this shelf: The Grieving Child by Helen Fitzgerald; 35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child by The Dougy Center; A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood Grief by Katie Lear, LCMHC. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

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Grief support groups and hotlines

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

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