Books to Help Grieving Children
Providing grief resources is among the cremation services offered in Tallahassee, FL. After the death of a loved one, children may be confused about death and loss and the grieving process. While adults can think of death, loss, and grief in both emotional and objective terms, children often cannot, and what they’re feeling and thinking may be strange or scary to them.
Humans learn deep things through stories. Think of your favorite short story or novel and what you learned from the powerful story it contained. Children are especially adept at learning things from stories, and there are classic books that can help not only them to understand death, loss, and grief, but also parents and other adult family members in helping the children through the process.
Classic books that can help grieving children are available as picture books for preschoolers, easy reader books for elementary school children, and more advanced reading-level books for older children and young adults.
Always and Forever by Alan Durant is a story for preschoolers (3 years old and up) that tells how Fox’s friends reacted when Fox died. It describes their seemingly endless grief and their feeling that they can’t go on without him. Sometime later, Squirrel comes to visits and reminds Fox’s family and friends of the good times they had together, helping them to realize that Fox is still with them in the form of memories.
I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas is a story for preschoolers and elementary-aged children. The books helps children understand that death is part of life and that the feelings we experience when we lose someone we love and care about are normal and natural.
Another classic book about grief for preschoolers and elementary-aged children is Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit. The story tells of a velveteen rabbit that began its life as wonderful new toy, but now has become old and threadbare. It’s about to be thrown away when it is rescued by a fairy to Rabbitland. There the velveteen rabbit becomes a real rabbit who will be cherished by children forever.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo is a book for teens and young adults about Opal and Winn Dixie, a happy, but large and ugly, dog. Opal’s mom left when she was young and she is being raised by her father, who is a preacher. Opal and her dad have just moved to a new town, where they meet Winn-Dixie. Opal begins to learn things about her mother and is able to make new friends quickly because of Winn-Dixie. She is also able to let go of some of the grief of being abandoned.
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie is a good book to help adults explain death to children. The book is detailed and straightforward, yet simple enough for adults to explain death to children of all ages.
Eric Grollman’s Talking about Death: A Dialogue between Parent and Child offers an empathetic roadmap for parents to talk with their children about death. Its focus is on answering the most common questions that children ask about death, and it’s intended to be an interactive tool between parents and children.
For more information about grief resources and cremation services offered in Tallahassee, FL, including grief resources, our caring and knowledgeable staff at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations is here to assist you. You can visit our funeral home at 20 S. Duval St., Quincy, FL 32351, or you can call us today at (850) 627-1111.
