Grief is one of the most difficult things to help kids handle. Unlike anger or other emotions that can spark quickly and fade, grief lasts, and can hit you over and over again. To help children understand grief and loss, there are lots of great books, some of which I have written about before. Today I am adding to that list with these new children’s books about grief, focusing on the loss of friends, both human and animal.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rabbit and the Motorbike

Written by Kate Hoefler and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby

This sweet tale introduces kids to the loss of a friend through the story of Rabbit and his friend Dog. Rabbit prefers to stay at home and live his quiet life, while his friend Dog enjoys being out in the world having adventures on his motorbike. But when Dog passes away, he leaves his motorbike with his friend Rabbit, which just may inspire him to get out and start living his own life. This powerful story of friendship and loss teaches kids about the acceptance stage after a loss, and how their loved one’s spirit and memory is always with them.

Dear Moon

Written by Stephen Wunderli and illustrated by Maria Luisa Di Gravio

In this lovely tale of friendship and loss, the power of imagination helps a young boy and his very sick friend to face the unknown. Max and his friend Ely want time to slow down. As the moon continues to move, they get closer to the day that Ely has to go to the hospital. So they decide to build a rocket and stop the moon from moving so time will stand still. Along the way, Max learns that time will continue to move forward, but that the memories of our loved ones will be with us always.

Related Post: 5 Children’s Books about Grief

An Ordinary Day

Written by Elana K. Arnold and illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic

This beautiful story about the circle of life shows how ordinary days can become extraordinary, in both good and bad ways. While an ordinary street faces an ordinary day, young children play and neighbors care for their homes. Then two different visitors arrive on the street and go into two different houses. The illustrations tell more of the story, showing how one of the visitors is there to bring a new life into the world, while another is there to help a suffering soul to leave it. This recognition of the comings and goings in life reminds us that there are devastating moments in life, but the world keeps going outside our doors.

Memoirs of a Tortoise

Written by Devin Scillian and illustrated by Tim Bowers

This story follows the adventures of Oliver the tortoise and his “pet” – his human Ike, an 80 year old man. They have been together for a long time, and enjoy a lot of the same things. But when Ike stops visiting the garden, Oliver is concerned. He visits his mother to find out why his pet had to leave him so soon. This interesting twist on the pet/owner relationship is a sweet way to address the question of why our pets don’t live as long as us (unless they’re tortoises). In the end, Oliver is able to find solace in Ike’s son, and enjoying the memories that he will always have of Ike.

Which new children’s books about grief are you most interested in? Share in the comments below.

More Posts You May Enjoy: