Have you ever arrived at school to be advised of heartbreaking news? I have. A lovely, mischievous child had lost their parent suddenly and unexpectedly the day before. All I could think of was, “I need tools to help me support this child.” I needed picture books about loss.
Dealing with grief and loss can be one of the most challenging aspects of a child’s emotional development. Picture books about loss can be an effective tool to help children understand and process grief and support the very important social-emotional learning (SEL) of your students.
Picture books about loss offer a gentle yet impactful way for children to understand and process their feelings. Today I delve into tools to support social-emotional learning in your classroom, specifically in the area of grief and loss.
These five beautifully crafted picture books about loss tell heartfelt stories while simultaneously offering meaningful lessons to help children navigate these complex emotions.
To make the greatest impact for the future success of your students it is vital to incorporate social-emotional learning all day long. One of the concerns identified with the research was the lack of resources to support a follow up discussion or activity for the students(s). I have included a synopsis of each book, book themes, a video link, comprehension questions and follow up activity(ies) for each book. This way you can integrate this social-emotional books with other content areas
Picture Books to Help with Grief and Loss
1. “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst
This simple, touching but powerful picture book about loss helps children to understand the string of love that connects us to those we care about. In addition to supporting a feeling of connection even when apart, children will learn about how love transcends other sometimes troubling feelings such as anger.
Themes in this book include:
- Love
- Connection
- Comfort during times of loss
Questions to support discussion on loss:
Connection and Emotions:
How does the invisible string help the characters feel connected when they are apart? Can you share a time you felt connected to someone far away?
Understanding Loss:
How does knowing about the invisible string make the characters feel less alone after losing someone? How do you handle feelings of loss?
Empathy and Compassion:
How do the characters show empathy after learning about the invisible string? Can you share a time you were empathetic to someone?
Managing Anxiety:
How do the characters’ fears change with the invisible string? What are your ways to calm down when anxious?
Building Relationships:
How do the characters strengthen relationships with the invisible string? How can you strengthen your bonds with others?
Comprehension Activity for picture book about loss:
- Art activity: Draw the people connected by your own “invisible strings.”
2. “Badger’s Parting Gifts” by Susan Varley
This picture book about loss comforts students with the understanding that the memories of loved ones can live on with us even after the loved one has passed away.
Themes in this book include:
- Memory
- Legacy
- Continuity of love
Questions to support discussion:
Understanding Feelings:
Badger knew his friends would be sad when he was gone, but he wanted them to remember the good times they shared. How do you think Badger’s friends felt when they remembered his gifts to them?
Memory Sharing:
Badger left behind special memories that helped his friends cope with his loss. Can you share a memory that helps you feel better when you miss someone?
Supporting Friends:
As Badger’s friends reminisced about him, they found ways to help each other. Why is it important to support and help our friends, especially when they are sad?
Learning from Others:
Badger was a caring friend who taught his friends many things.mWhat is something important you have learned from a friend or family member?
Keeping Memories Alive:
Even though Badger was no longer with them, his friends realized that he would always be part of their lives. How can we keep the memory of someone we love alive in our hearts?
Comprehension Activities:
- Have students share stories about loved ones in a memory-sharing circle.
- Celebrate and remember special people or pets by creating “memory books”.
3. “The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld
Empathy is a powerful force, and can provide quiet support in the face of grief. This story helps students to understand the nature and impact of empathy.
Themes in this book include:
- Empathy
- Listening
- Supportive friendships
Questions to support discussion:
Feeling our Emotions:
Taylor felt a lot of different emotions after his tower fell. How do you think Taylor felt when the tower fell?
Learning to Listen:
Rabbit stayed close and listened to Taylor without saying anything. Why is it important to listen to our friends when they are upset?
Best Ways of Supporting:
Each animal tried to help Taylor in their own way before Rabbit came along. What is the best way to support someone who is feeling sad?
Practicing Patience:
Rabbit waited until Taylor was ready to talk. How can we show patience with our friends when they need time to feel better?
Processing Feelings:
Taylor felt better after Rabbit listened to him. How does talking to someone who listens help us feel better?
Comprehension Activity:
- Have students practice being a supportive friend with a role-playing exercise.
- Writing activity: Provide students with an opportunity to write about a time they felt comforted by someone.
4. “I Miss You: A First Look at Death” by Pat Thomas
Children have so many questions about death, and often, for a variety of reasons, adults are uncomfortable answering some of those questions. This book gently explores death and the associated emotions.
Themes in this book include:
- Understanding death
- Coping with loss
- Emotional validation
Questions to support discussion:
Understanding Feelings:
The book talks about different emotions people feel when someone dies. What emotions does the book mention? How did the characters feel when someone they loved died?
Making Connections:
The book shares how missing someone is a natural feeling. Can you think of a time you missed someone special? How did you feel when you missed that person?
Empathy and Support:
The book discusses ways to help friends who are sad. What are some ways the book suggests to support a sad friend? How could you help a friend who is feeling sad about a loss?
Recognizing Grief:
The characters in the book remember the person who died in special ways. What are some ways they keep the memory alive? How do the characters remember their loved ones?
Coping Strategies:
The book offers ideas to feel better when you’re missing someone. What are some things it suggests doing? What can you do to feel better when you’re feeling sad about missing someone?
Comprehension Activity:
- Have a circle discussion about common feelings and questions after a loss.
- During the discussion create a “Feelings Chart” that can be used to help students articulate and manage their emotions.
5. “The Memory Box: A Book About Grief” by Joanna Rowland
I love that this book provides a connection for how to remember a loved one that supports a framework that supports a child’s ability to process their feelings.
Themes in this book include:
- Remembrance
- Honoring loved ones
- Healing through memories
Questions to support discussion:
Understanding Grief:
The book talks about creating a memory box to remember someone who has died. What is a memory box?
Sharing Feelings:
The girl in the book feels sad and scared about forgetting her loved one. How does she express her feelings?
Finding Comfort:
The book suggests keeping memories to cope with loss. What are some memories the girl adds to her box?
Supporting Others:
The girl finds comfort by talking to others about her loved one. Who does she talk to in the book, and how does it help her?
Positive Actions:
The book describes how making the memory box helps the girl. How can making a memory box help you remember someone special?
Comprehension Activity:
- Have students create personal memory boxes with items and notes that remind the students of their loved ones.
- Provide students with an opportunity to explain the significance of the items in their memory boxes.
How to Help a Child with Grief and Loss
Social-emotional learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in helping children navigate the complex emotions associated with grief and loss. Picture books like those shared here offer gentle and thoughtful ways to introduce these difficult themes to young minds.
Through relatable stories and inviting illustrations, these picture books about loss provide students with a safe space to explore their feelings, develop empathy, and establish coping strategies, all of which are essential components of SEL.
By incorporating these insightful picture books about loss and along with their accompanying activities into curriculums and daily routines parents and teachers can support children in processing their emotions.
Engaging discussions and facilitating activities that go along with picture books about loss can help children understand and articulate their grief. This paves the way for emotional healing and resilience which, in turn, aids in emotional resilience while reinforcing the child’s ability to connect with others and express their feelings in a healthy manner.
I would love to hear from you! Share your experiences and recommendations for picture books about loss or activities that have helped in addressing grief and loss.
