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Quick answer: The best books for Kids About Death of a Parent include Grandad's Island by Benji Davies, The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland, Missing Mommy by Rebecca Cobb and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
When a child loses a mother or father, books can give them words for feelings that are hard to say out loud. These gentle picture books and middle-grade novels talk honestly about death, grief and remembering, and they work best read together with a caring adult.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandad's Island | Benji Davies | 3-7 | children who need a gentle metaphor |
| The Memory Box | Joanna Rowland | 4-8 | kids who want to remember |
| Missing Mommy | Rebecca Cobb | 3-7 | young children who lost a mother |
| Michael Rosen's Sad Book | Michael Rosen | 6-12 | older children and adults |
| The Heart and the Bottle | Oliver Jeffers | 4-9 | children who hide their feelings |
| Badger's Parting Gifts | Susan Varley | 4-8 | gentle conversations |
| Lifetimes | Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen | 4-9 | children who ask why things die |
| The Goodbye Book | Todd Parr | 3-6 | the youngest children |
| Something Very Sad Happened | Bonnie Zucker | 2-4 | toddlers |
| I Miss You: A First Look at Death | Pat Thomas | 4-8 | factual reassurance |
| The Rabbit Listened | Cori Doerrfeld | 3-7 | children who need to be heard |
| Ida, Always | Caron Levis | 4-8 | kids facing a loss |
| The Memory Tree | Britta Teckentrup | 3-7 | children who like animals |
| Grief Is Like a Snowflake | Julia Cook | 5-10 | children who feel different |
| A Monster Calls | Patrick Ness | 12+ | older children facing a parent's illness |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. Grandad's Island by Benji Davies
Syd visits his grandad's faraway island and learns that love stays with him. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: children who need a gentle metaphor.
2. The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland
A child creates a box of memories to keep a loved one close. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who want to remember.
3. Missing Mommy by Rebecca Cobb
A little boy tries to understand where his mother has gone and finds comfort in his family. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: young children who lost a mother.
4. Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen
The poet shares honest feelings about the death of his son. Recommended ages: about 6-12.
Best for: older children and adults.
5. The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
A girl locks her heart in a bottle after losing someone she loves. Recommended ages: about 4-9.
Best for: children who hide their feelings.
6. Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
Badger's friends remember the skills he taught them after he dies. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: gentle conversations.
7. Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
A calm explanation that every living thing has a beginning and an end. Recommended ages: about 4-9.
Best for: children who ask why things die.
8. The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
Bright pictures name the feelings that come with saying goodbye. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: the youngest children.
9. Something Very Sad Happened by Bonnie Zucker
A simple story for very young children about a death in the family. Recommended ages: about 2-4.
Best for: toddlers.
10. I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas
Plain answers to common questions children ask after a death. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: factual reassurance.
11. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
After something sad happens, a patient rabbit simply listens. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: children who need to be heard.
12. Ida, Always by Caron Levis
A polar bear says goodbye to his friend at the zoo. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids facing a loss.
13. The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup
Woodland animals share memories of their friend Fox. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: children who like animals.
14. Grief Is Like a Snowflake by Julia Cook
A boy learns that everyone's grief is unique. Recommended ages: about 5-10.
Best for: children who feel different.
15. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Conor faces his mother's terminal illness with help from a monster. Recommended ages: about 12+.
Best for: older children facing a parent's illness.
How to Choose the Right Book
For toddlers and preschoolers, Something Very Sad Happened, The Goodbye Book and Missing Mommy are simple and gentle. School-age children often find comfort in Grandad's Island, The Memory Box and The Heart and the Bottle. Older children and teens may connect with Michael Rosen's Sad Book or A Monster Calls, which treat grief honestly.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
Grandad's Island by Benji Davies is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 2 to 12, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
Should I read these books before sharing them?
Yes. Reading a grief book first helps you prepare for your child's questions and choose the right moment.