Chosen by Angela SchellenbergLicensed trauma therapist

Children's books about losing a pet

Q: What is the best book to start with for helping a child after a pet dies?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant. In her words: “For a child who is asking where their dog went. Gentle and beautiful.”

Q: What other books does Angela recommend for helping a child after a pet dies?

Also on this shelf: Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant; The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst; I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm; Goodbye, Mousie by Robie H. Harris; When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers; The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst; Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas; Jasper's Day by Marjorie Blain Parker. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Q: Is there a guided journal for helping a child after a pet dies?

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

Books to help kids with the death of a pet.

Choose a picture book that says died plainly, lets the child ask where the pet went, and gives them something to do with the love: a memory, a drawing, a burial they can help with. These nine do that, from the youngest listeners to children old enough to read alone.

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

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

The 9 books

Dog Heaven Cynthia Rylant Angela saysFor a child who is asking where their dog went. Gentle and beautiful. View on Amazon

Cat Heaven Cynthia Rylant Angela saysThe companion to Dog Heaven, for the child whose cat is gone. The same warmth, the same reassurance. View on Amazon

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney Judith Viorst Angela saysA picture book about a boy whose cat dies and what he decides to remember. Read it to a child, then read it again for yourself. View on Amazon

I'll Always Love You Hans Wilhelm Angela saysA boy and his dog Elfie grow up together, and Elfie grows old. It shows a child how to say the love out loud while the pet is still here. View on Amazon

Goodbye, Mousie Robie H. Harris Angela saysA small boy finds that his mouse will not wake up. Plain words for what dead means, and a burial a child can help with. For the youngest. View on Amazon

When a Pet Dies Fred Rogers Angela saysPhotographs and Mister Rogers’ steady voice, for young children. It stays with the feelings instead of hurrying past them. View on Amazon

The Invisible Leash Patrice Karst Angela saysFrom the author of The Invisible String. For the child who already knows that book, this gives the same image to a pet who has died. View on Amazon

Saying Goodbye to Lulu Corinne Demas Angela saysA girl and her old dog, through the last days and the first grief. Honest about the sadness, and about the spring that eventually comes. View on Amazon

Jasper's Day Marjorie Blain Parker Angela saysA family gives their old dog one last good day before the vet visit. For families choosing euthanasia and wanting a way to include the child. View on Amazon

Angela’s journal for this lossStill Your HumanFor grieving an animal who knew you.$14.99See the journal →

Common questions

What is the best book to start with for helping a child after a pet dies?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant. In her words: “For a child who is asking where their dog went. Gentle and beautiful.”

What other books does Angela recommend for helping a child after a pet dies?

Also on this shelf: Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant; The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst; I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm; Goodbye, Mousie by Robie H. Harris; When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers; The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst; Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas; Jasper's Day by Marjorie Blain Parker. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Is there a guided journal for helping a child after a pet dies?

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

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