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Quick answer: The best books for Kids About Pet Loss include I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm, Goodbye Mog by Judith Kerr, Jasper's Day by Marjorie Blain Parker 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.
Losing a pet is often a child's first experience of death. These gentle picture books help children understand what happened, feel their sadness and remember the good times, and they give parents an easy way to start an honest conversation.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| I'll Always Love You | Hans Wilhelm | 3-7 | kids whose dog has died |
| Goodbye Mog | Judith Kerr | 3-7 | Mog fans |
| Jasper's Day | Marjorie Blain Parker | 4-8 | families planning a goodbye |
| Saying Goodbye to Lulu | Corinne Demas | 4-8 | kids with an ageing pet |
| When a Pet Dies | Fred Rogers | 3-7 | kids who want simple answers |
| Always and Forever | Alan Durant | 3-7 | kids learning to remember |
| Lifetimes | Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen | 4-9 | kids who ask why |
| The Goodbye Book | Todd Parr | 3-6 | the youngest children |
| Big Cat, Little Cat | Elisha Cooper | 3-7 | cat lovers |
| Desser the Best Ever Cat | Maggie Smith | 4-8 | kids who grew up with a pet |
| Harry & Hopper | Margaret Wild | 4-8 | dog lovers |
| The Memory Box | Joanna Rowland | 4-8 | kids who want to remember |
| The Rabbit Listened | Cori Doerrfeld | 3-7 | kids who need to be heard |
| Badger's Parting Gifts | Susan Varley | 4-8 | gentle conversations |
| Ida, Always | Caron Levis | 4-8 | kids facing a loss |
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. I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm
A boy is glad he told his old dog Elfie every night that he loved her. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids whose dog has died.
2. Goodbye Mog by Judith Kerr
Mog watches over her family as they welcome a new kitten. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: mog fans.
3. Jasper's Day by Marjorie Blain Parker
A family spends one last special day with their sick dog. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: families planning a goodbye.
4. Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas
A girl cares for her old dog until the end. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids with an ageing pet.
5. When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers
Photographs and clear words explain what happens when a pet dies. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who want simple answers.
6. Always and Forever by Alan Durant
Friends find comfort in sharing memories after Fox dies. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids learning to remember.
7. Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
Explains that every living thing has a lifetime. Recommended ages: about 4-9.
Best for: kids who ask why.
8. The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
A fish misses his friend and names his feelings. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: the youngest children.
9. Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
An older cat teaches a kitten, then is gone, and the cycle continues. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: cat lovers.
10. Desser the Best Ever Cat by Maggie Smith
A girl remembers the cat who was there before she was born. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who grew up with a pet.
11. Harry & Hopper by Margaret Wild
Harry learns to say goodbye after his dog dies suddenly. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: dog lovers.
12. The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland
A child makes a box of memories. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who want to remember.
13. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
A rabbit simply listens when Taylor is sad. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who need to be heard.
14. Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
Badger's friends remember what he taught them. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: gentle conversations.
15. Ida, Always by Caron Levis
A polar bear says goodbye to his best friend. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids facing a loss.
How to Choose the Right Book
For the youngest children, start with The Goodbye Book and When a Pet Dies. Kids who lost a dog will connect with I'll Always Love You, Harry & Hopper and Saying Goodbye to Lulu, while cat owners will find comfort in Goodbye Mog and Big Cat, Little Cat. For remembering, The Memory Box and Always and Forever are lovely.
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?
I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm 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 3 to 9, 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 tell my child the truth when a pet dies?
Yes. Simple, honest words like “died” are clearer than phrases like “went to sleep”, which can confuse or frighten young children.
Related: 15 Best Children’s Books for Loss of Pet to Help Kids Heal