Grief Lending Library

Social worker and educator Susan Hannifin-MacNab tackled these difficult questions after her husband was killed suddenly, leaving her to pick up the pieces of her young family's life. She eventually realized that grief and trauma healing do not occur by waiting for time to pass. Action and intention are the pillars needed to lay a foundation for rebirth and build a powerful roadmap for healing mind, body, and spirit.

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

Ages 7-9. When her grandmother starts forgetting things, has to go into a nursing home and then dies, a young girl tries to remember the good times they shared.

• Children

• Death of a Grandparent

Ages 4 and up. Anna's Corn portrays the love between a grandparent and grandchild and gently looks at loss and grief and the hope of new life. Barbara Santucci's simple story reassures young readers that memories can help heal our sadness, while Lloyd Bloom's poignant images capture the changing seasons of nature and life.

• Children

• Death of a Grandparent

A refreshing and practical approach to working with children who are suffering the loss of a loved one due to suicide. Rubel takes a very difficult topic and creates a manageable path for parents and professionals to follow when helping the young suicide survivor.

• Helping Children

• Suicide

Physician-author Diane Komp uses tender stories of her work with children who have cancer to illustrate timeless biblical truth. Showing how medicine, science, and biblical faith are compatible, she gives readers inspiring insight into the spiritual re-education of a Yale medical professor by her young patients.

• Professional

• Anticipatory / Before the Death / Religious

This guide provides hundreds of hands-on activities tailored for grieving children in three age groups: preschool, elementary, and teens. Through the use of readings, games, discussion questions, and arts and crafts, caregivers can help grieving young people acknowledge the reality of the death, embrace the pain of the loss, remember the person who died, develop a new self-identity, search for meaning, and accept support.

• Helping Children & Teens

"Drawing on the actual experiences of young adults (i.e. persons aged 17-24), this volume explores their reactions to separation and death and their methods for coping."

• General

The author takes the reader through the personal experience of losing her younger sister and weaves in the available research for sibling survivors. She also journeys sibling loss through the life span, explains suicide, the grief process, and how sibling death impacts the brothers and sisters left behind. She adds practical advice for how sibling suicide survivors can help themselves.

• Sudden and Traumatic Death

• Suicide

For ages 4-7 years. After a young girls mother dies, she gets to know a new companion named Empty. Empty takes up space and provides comfort while she has trouble connecting with her dad and friends. When reminders and memories of her mom start coming up, though, she is able to start connecting with others and relying on Empty less.

• Children

• Death of a Mother

Ages 9-16. A realistic guide to coping with the stresses and emotions a child or young teen may face when a parent has died.

• Children and Teens

• Death of a Parent

Ages 7-9. A wonderful resource for helping children understand death, grief, and remembrance, this is the story of a young boy who has been told that he has 'lost' his grandfather. The boy remembers when he himself was lost in the mall and wants to help his grandmother find his grandfather. When he learns that his grandfather is not lost but dead, the boy remembers the old man's kindness, love, and generosity. Material objects then begin to evoke warm memories of his grandfather. This touching story will encourage young readers to discuss their feelings of loss and grief.

• Children

• Death of a Grandfather

A young child discovers a grandparents love grows even after death. After the death of her grandfather, Camillia decides to plant the garden she used to plant with her grandfather. She dresses the scarecrow in grandfathers old clothes and makes the best garden ever.

• Children

• Death of a Grandparent

The authors having both suffered the loss of a spouse at a relatively young age. Their empathy, valuable psychological insights, biblical observations, and male and female perspectives will help you experience grief in the healthiest, most complete way so you can move forward to embrace the new life that is waiting for you.

• Death of a Partner

Designed to help adults who work with groups of children in their efforts to assist surviving children to cope with the emotional stresses with result when a friend dies.

• Helping Children

A book about a sister grief after her brother died by suicide. She was only 12 and found herself "Growing Young".

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

• Suicide / Sibling Death

For young and middle readers (6-12 year olds) grieving the death of someone loved. Age-appropriate activities and gentle, healing guidance.

• Helping Children

Ages 8-12. As a parent and a grandparent, Randy Alcorn knows how important it is to pass along the biblical truths about Heaven. So in Heaven for Kids, Randy has adapted his best-selling book Heaven for a younger generation. He’s made all the great information and fresh teaching accessible and applicable for kids. Set up in an easy question-and-answer format.

• Children

• Religious

The Hot Young Widows Club isn’t just for people who have lost a spouse, but an essential tool for anyone who has gone through a major life struggle. Based on her own experiences and those of the listeners dedicated to her podcast, Terrible, Thanks for Asking, Nora offers wise, heartfelt, and often humorous advice to anyone navigating a painful period in their lives. Full of practical guidance, Nora also reminds us that it’s still okay to laugh, despite your deep grief. She explores how readers can educate the people around them on what to do, what to say, and how to best to lend their support. Ultimately, this book is a space for people to recognize that they aren’t alone, and to learn how to get through life’s hardest moments with grace and humor, and even hope.

• Death of a Partner

Ages 4-8. The story of a young girl finding sadness and solace through the memories she has of her grandpa who died. She takes us through the amazing relationship they shared, and how he will always be there for her even when not with her.

• Children

A teacher’s experience in pioneering courses on death and dying for junior students.

• Helping Children & Teens

The true story of a young widow's anguish and the paradoxical enrichment grief can bring.

• Death of a Partner

The death of a life partner poses unique challenges for lesbians. This book reveals the touching and very personal stories of twenty-five women, including the author, who were widowed at a young age and forced to create a new life without their life partners. The book follows the widows from the time the couple met, to the time when one of the partners died, and beyond, to show how the surviving partner coped with her loss.

• Death of a Partner

• LGBTQ

This powerful, poetry style story brings you along with a teenage boy, Will, and his battle with wanting revenge for the murder of his brother. This book explores the themes of the cycle of violence, pressure for community codes, and grief.

• Sudden & Traumatic Death
• Young A

• Gun Violence

For the very young; text and photographs present the concept of death, the importance of grief, and the customs of mourning.

• Children

• Historical

This book brings together stories of bereavement through many interviews of people who had big loses at a young age, whether it was parents, siblings or partners. These interviews help us to explore the transformative pain of grief and how these losses at a young age effect them.

• General

• Young Adult

Ages 2-4. “Grandma said we lost Paige. My parents said she died.” A young girl wonders what her family will be like without Paige. She also wonders if she is still a sister. In the end she discovers that Paige will always be her sister and will always be a part of her family.

• Childern

• Death of a Sibling

When journalist Beth M. Howard's young husband dies suddenly, she packs up the RV he left behind and hits the American highways. Making Piece powerfully shows how one courageous woman triumphs over tragedy. This beautifully written memoir is, ultimately, about hope. It's about the journey of healing and recovery, of facing fears, finding meaning in life again, and moving forward with purpose and, eventually, joy.

• Death of a Partner

When his daughter, Amy, collapses and dies from an asymptomatic heart condition, Rosenblatt and his wife leave their home on Long Island to move in with their son-in-law and their three young grandchildren. He peels back the layers on this most personal of losses to create a testament to familial love.

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

• Death of a Child

Ages 8-11. A compassionate yet straightforward story to assist young children and their caregivers as they deal with an impending death of a mother. The bright, childlike artwork and simple, straightforward language offer readers a hopeful message. The book does not specify what is wrong with the mother, so it could apply to a number of situations or illnesses.

• Children

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

Baby-2 years. 'How could Grandpa die when he promised to take me fishing?' A young child shares his feelings after Grandpa dies. He talks about all the things he will miss doing with Grandpa. The child decides to make a memory box out of Grandpa's old tackle box. He fills it with special items and all the memories of his Grandpa.

• Children

• Death of a Grandparent

Ages 4-8. From the perspective of a young child, Joanna Rowland artfully describes what it is like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died. The child in the story creates a memory box to keep mementos and written memories of the loved one, to help in the grieving process.

• Children

Ages 4-8. The day a young boy's mother dies, an invisible dragon swoops in and stays with him, weighing him down day and night until, at last, their relationship changes.

• Children

• Death of a Mother

Gail Sezna tells us of the tragic deaths of two of her three sons and the subsequent painful divorce by her husband of 25 years. Her youngest son Teddy died in a tragic boating accident and her oldest Deeg was killed 9/11/2001 in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Four months later her husband filed for divorce. Gail describes with courage and candor her struggle to pick up the pieces and move forward from overwhelming grief towards hope and healing.

• Death of a Child

• Divorce

A young boy from California, Nicholas Green, was killed by highway robbers while vacationing in Italy with his family. His parents agreed to donate his organs, which went to seven Italians waiting for transplants. This story has changed lives around the world.

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

• Homicide / Death of a Child / Organ Donation

PARENT COUNCIL REVIEW® 'A young child struggles with his grief over the death of his fish. He is especially upset when others comment 'it was only a fish.' Then to add to his distress, his father flushes Puffer down the toilet. A wise aunt suggests a memorial service, and the story ends with a healing eulogy. A wonderful story for young children grieving over the death of a beloved pet.'

• Children

• Death of a Pet

Are you looking for ways to better understand the impact of the loss – and how to help? This booklet was written specifically for surviving adults, such as family members, caregivers, and close friends. It might also be of interest to teachers, counselors, clergy, healthcare professionals, and others who work with young people and, most importantly, care about them

• Helping Children

Ages 5-12. Crafted for terminally ill and/or grieving children. Tool for opening discussion on the impending death of a young person.

• Children

• Before the Death

Ragtail, a young mouse, has just experienced the death of his best friend. As he tries to understand what has happened, Ragtail is swept by confusing feelings of denial, anger and sadness. With the help of a new friend, he learns to deal with his feelings and soon discovers the comfort that comes from remembering.

• Children

• Death of a Friend

What happens to children – those unborn, stillborn, or youngsters – when they die? Can you hope to see them again? Can you let go of your fear and guilt? Can God’s love soothe a wound so jagged? With Scriptural authority and the warmth of a pastor’s heart, John MacArthur examines the breadth of the entire bible and reveals in this compelling book that the Heavenly Father’s care for every life.

• Death of a Child

• Religious

Ages 5-8. The story of a young girl whose father has recently died, which deals with the full range of emotions, questions, and worries that children have when a parent has died. Offers ways to remember and honor the lost parent, encourages the open sharing of feelings, and helps children understand that their parents want them to be happy and live their lives fully.

• Children

• Death of a Father

Ages 5-12. Two young friends, Carly and Savannah, experience the fullness of life by by creating a friendship garden. Unfortunately, tragedy occurs when young Savannah is diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer. As the seasons turn Carly attempts to comprehend death and support her dying friend. When Savannah dies Carly is able to find ways to cope with her grief and honor her friend.

• Children

• Childhood Cancer

How the very young can and should be taught about death at school and at home. A resource for teachers of the young, as well as for their parents.

• Helping Children

• Historical

Designed for adult caregivers to read to surviving youngsters following a suicidal death. 'Wondering if you could have done something to prevent this suicide is normal. Nothing you said or did would have changed what happened.'

• Children

• Suicide

Ages 3-7. When his best friend Hippo, who is the oldest and sagest animal in the jungle, dies, Monkey is devastated and wonders what he will do without his friend who always told him stories and laughed at his jokes, in a touching book that shows young readers how to cope with loss.

• Children

Ages 8-12. A sensitive portrayal of a young boy’s attempt to understand and accept his best friend’s sudden death.

• Children

• Death of a friend / Historical

A self-help guide for teenagers who are struggling with bereavement and the emotional difficulties it presents. This book provides an overview of grief as a painful but normal process, offering insights from bereavement experts as well as practical suggestions for coping with loss, including accounts from teens. This book closes a gap in the available literature on grief and bereavement that has tended to focus on adults and younger children. It provides a warm, accessible resource that will reassure teen readers about the normality of grief, encourages their understanding of what happens during the grief process, and provides an indispensable resource guide.

• Teens

For parents who have experienced the death of a stillborn baby or a very young infant. Gives suggestions on things a parent should consider for remembrances.

• Death of a Child

• Stillbirth / Early Infant Death

A tender tale of death and new life, this mini-book uses the symbol of one waterbug, climbing a stalk to turn into a dragonfly, never to return. Used in Sunday Schools. Christian perspective.

• Children

Ages 4-8. This question lies at the heart of this poignant story, as a young girl attempts to cope with her brother's being ill. Deals with the many complicated feelings the well child experiences.

• Children

• Ill Sibling

Ages 8-12. A young girl tries everything she can think of to keep her parents from getting a divorce, but with the help of a school counselor she comes to realize that the divorce is not her fault.

• Children

• Divorce

Suitable for children aged 4+, this is an ideal book for parents and caregivers to read with their children, as well as teachers, therapists and counsellors working with young children. This book guides children gently through 17 of the 'big' questions they often ask about death and dying.

• Children

Children wonder about Heaven, especially when someone they love goes there. They have questions they are often afraid to ask to grieving adults. This book is created to minister to young children and older children, with large text for young readers or as a read-to book, and smaller text for older readers. It helps children see a loved one's transition to Heaven as a joyful thing, and know they are still loved, even when that person is no longer near.

• Children

• Religious

Writing for children ages 8-12 and their parents, Coleman discusses the fears and questions that young people have when someone they love dies.

• Children

Ages 3-7. Guides young readers through understanding and coping with their emotions after someone dies. Offering reassurance and comfort, and fostering healthy communication and emotional expression.

• Children

Ages 5-8. An Inclusive, age-appropriate, illustrated kid's book designed to help young children understand their own grief.

• Children

My name is Heather and this is my story. It follows me from marrying my best friend and succeeding through an infertility struggle, to becoming a widow and ultimately a single mother. This is the journal of my life after losing the love of my life to mental illness and suicide. My hope is to help others out there who may be travelling a similar path as I am.

• Death of a Partner

• Suicide

Author Cariad Lloyd shares her experience being a young griever, and the road map of how grief has been for her and what she's learned along the way. After turning to the Five Stages of Grief, she realizes how it's framework does not line up with those who are grieving, and reminds us that we can not do grief "wrong".

• General

A collection of stories by young teens who have experienced the death of a sibiling

• Teens

• Death of a Sibling

Ages 2-6. In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters.

• Children