Chosen by Angela SchellenbergLicensed trauma therapist

Grief books for kids and teens

Q: What is the best book to start with for helping a grieving child or teen?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is When Someone Dies by Andrea Dorn. In her words: “A mindful, illustrated guide for young children, gentle on the body, honest about death.”

Q: What other books does Angela recommend for helping a grieving child or teen?

Also on this shelf: The Memory Box: A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland; The Invisible String by Patrice Karst; Tear Soup by Pat Schwiebert & Chuck DeKlyen; Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie; Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens by Alan Wolfelt, PhD; A Grieving Teen by Helen Fitzgerald. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

To read to a child, or to hand to a teen.

Books that help young people make sense of death and find language for grief.

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

See the books ↓

The 7 books

When Someone Dies Andrea Dorn Angela saysA mindful, illustrated guide for young children, gentle on the body, honest about death. View on Amazon

The Memory Box: A Book About Grief Joanna Rowland Angela saysFor young children. Names the fear of forgetting, and gives them a way to hold on to memory. View on Amazon

The Invisible String Patrice Karst Angela saysA child-friendly image for love that does not end at death. Used by many bereaved family therapists. View on Amazon

Tear Soup Pat Schwiebert & Chuck DeKlyen Angela saysAn illustrated story about a grandmother “making soup” from her grief. For older children and the grown-ups reading with them. View on Amazon

Lifetimes Bryan Mellonie Angela saysA gentle book that names death as part of every living thing's story. For when you need a beginning point with a young child. View on Amazon

Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens Alan Wolfelt, PhD Angela says100 short, practical ideas. Useful for teens who will not read a chapter book but will read a list. View on Amazon

A Grieving Teen Helen Fitzgerald Angela saysDirect and helpful for teens and their friends. Reads like an honest older relative. View on Amazon

Common questions

What is the best book to start with for helping a grieving child or teen?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is When Someone Dies by Andrea Dorn. In her words: “A mindful, illustrated guide for young children, gentle on the body, honest about death.”

What other books does Angela recommend for helping a grieving child or teen?

Also on this shelf: The Memory Box: A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland; The Invisible String by Patrice Karst; Tear Soup by Pat Schwiebert & Chuck DeKlyen; Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie; Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens by Alan Wolfelt, PhD; A Grieving Teen by Helen Fitzgerald. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

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