Up until quite recently, there was very little children’s media that dealt with themes of death, loss, separation, or bereavement-related grief. In the last decade, thankfully, publishers and content creators have begun addressing these themes much more directly, resulting in an explosion of bereavement media for young audiences. This page highlights recent additions to children’s bereavement media, focusing specifically on content created for those aged 0-8.
Discover:
Picture Books
Chapter Books
Movies
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Know of something that should be here but isn’t? Contact Blythe Romano at Blythe.Romano@ChildrensMuseums.org and we’ll add it to our growing collection.
A story about the friendship between a turtle and a hair, this picture book deals with bereavement in a thoughtful, sensitive manner, and can be used to incite gentle conversations about death and dying.
Depicting a dreamlike journey in which a young body visits his deceased grandfather, this story shows how the power of imagination and the love of one’s family can help children successfully navigate bereavement-related grief.
Written for two- and three-year olds, this picture book helps young children understand and process the death of a loved one.
Highlighting the powerful role that memory can play in navigating grief, this picture book shows caregivers how to comfort bereaved children and initiate conversations about death and loss with them.
A picture book about a friendship between a child and a tiger who dies from old age, this story is designed to help young readers work through the loss of a pet.
A heartfelt, hopeful story about the friendship between two polar bears in a zoo, this picture book shows children how to prepare for and deal with the impending death of a loved one.
Narrating a child’s perspective on the loss of a parent, this picture book highlights the many different feelings bereaved children experience, and shares positive coping strategies such as treasuring favorite memories.
Telling the story of a dying grandmother and her four grandchildren, this picture book both explains death and helps readers process the many difficult feelings (including confusion, fear, anger, and sadness) that come with the loss of a loved one.
Inspired by events of the author’s own life, this picture book shows children how to accept all the feelings that come with the loss of a loved one, and how to celebrate continued life and happiness.
Telling the story of a fish whose best friend dies, this picture book talks about how bereavement changes people’s lives, introduces a number of positive coping strategies, and reassures readers that things improve with time.
In this story about a mother and her two children, readers come to learn about the unbreakable connections we have with those we love, while also learning helpful strategies for coping with the separation anxiety that often comes with loss (whether due to death, divorce, or other causes).
Authored by a child psychologist, this picture book introduces readers to the concept of death, exploring different understandings of death and ways to cope with the loss of a loved one.
Telling the story of a boy who loses his grandmother, this book shows readers that painful emotions can be a source of healing, and normalizes grief in a way that makes bereavement easier to talk about.
Written for children aged 5-7, this illustrated book helps readers understand and work through grief by sharing real-life examples and normalizing the many different feelings that come with loss.
In this chapter book about a boy grieving the unexpected death of his mother, readers discover ways they can maintain a connection with those they’ve lost by remembering the moments they shared together.
In this collection of short stories, a young girl named Anna Hibiscus learns how to adjust to the reality of life without their grandmother in ways that show readers how to come to terms with the pain of losing a loved one.
A story about a seventh-grade girl grieving the loss of her grandfather, this chapter book shows readers how to rediscover a safe, comfortable place in the world in the aftermath of a loved one’s death.
About a twelve-year old boy who loses his older brother, this chapter book explores themes of identity and family while showcasing the complex feelings that come with the death of a loved one.
Written for audiences aged nine and up, this chapter book about a young Korean girl and her ailing grandmother shows readers how storytelling offers a way to cope with the death of a loved one.
In this chapter book about a twelve-year old girl grieving the death of her best friend, readers can discover ways to find hope, humor, and happiness in the face of loss and grief.
Treating the disappearance of a boy’s beloved balloon as a metaphor for loss, this short book offers readers ways to begin conversations about how to navigate the complexities of grief.
An animated film that explores the many different manifestations of grief and teaches the importance of grappling with bereavement-related feelings instead of suppressing them.
An animated film that looks at how the process of forming new connections and relationships can help people of all ages let go and find purpose in life after the death of a loved one.
In this adaptation of a novel by Roddy Doyle, a young girl learns how to cope with the impending death of her grandmother through an emotional journey that teaches her how to deal with sadness, anger, and confusion.
In this animated film that underscores the fact that there is no “right” way to grieve, two brothers hoping to bring their dead father back to life learn about the importance of family bonds in overcoming grief.
A story about a young girl grieving the tragic loss of her parents, this film looks at how family and community can help bereaved youth find hope and healing in their social environments.
Following a young girl’s journey of healing after the death of her parents, this anime film showcases children’s experiences of grief and shows how new relationships and social support can promote healing and acceptance.
A documentary about children’s real-life bereavement experiences, this film emphasizes young people’s perspectives on loss and looks at how open communication, social support, and creative outlets can facilitate healthy grieving processes.
About a young boy whose mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, this feature film presents an honest portrayal of grief in all its messiness, while also showing viewers how to accept loss and move forward.
Exploring ways to find new purpose after the loss of a loved one, this family film tells the story of a widowed father who quits his job and purchases a zoo following the death of his wife.
Focusing on traditions associated with the Day of the Dead traditions, this animated film shows how remembrance and celebration of the deceased offer a powerful means of maintaining a connection to lost loved ones.
Set in the 1930s, this movie about an orphan whose father died in a museum fire underscores the importance of confronting (rather than avoiding) grief, and shows viewers how reconnecting with the past offers a path to renewed purpose and life.
Showcasing both negative and positive responses to grief, this animated film about a boy struggling to cope with the death of his brother highlights the powerful role that friendships play in accepting loss and healing after loss.
About a boy who visited his deceased ancestors in the Land of the Dead, this animated film shows that death is a natural part of life, and illustrates the important role that family, memory, and cultural traditions play in coping with loss.
