Losing a beloved pet can be a heartbreaking experience for children, and helping them cope with their grief is essential for their emotional well-being.
We understand the challenges parents and caregivers face when explaining the concept of death to young ones and the need for age-appropriate resources to support them through this difficult time. The information here is dedicated to providing a collection of carefully selected books that address the topic of pet loss in a sensitive and comforting manner.
These books offer a gentle approach to help children navigate the complex emotions associated with the death of a pet. They explore themes of loss, love, and the healing process, allowing kids to find solace, understanding, and emotional support through the power of storytelling. Each book listed here is thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated, ensuring a captivating and relatable reading experience for children of different ages.
We believe that these books can serve as valuable tools for parents, educators, and counselors in assisting children in their grieving process. By engaging with these stories, children can learn about the natural cycle of life, express their emotions, and find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their feelings. We encourage you to explore the resources provided on this webpage and use them as a starting point to help children understand and cope with the loss of their beloved pet.
For Toddlers, Preschoolers & School-aged Children
- “Jasper’s Day” by Marjorie Blain Parker
- “Healing Your Grieving Heart for Kids” by Alan Wolfeldt
- “When a Pet Dies” by Fred Rogers
- “Saying Goodbye to Lulu” by Corinne Demas
- “I’ll Always Love You” by Hans Wilhelm
- “The Tenth Good Thing About Barney” by Judith Viorst
- “A Special Place for Charlee” by Debby Morehead
- “Dog Heaven” by Cynthia Rylant
- “Cat Heaven” by Cynthia Rylant
- “The Legend of Rainbow Bridge” by William Britton
- “Saying Good-bye to Your Pet” by Marge Eaton Heegaard (art therapy)
- “Forever Friend: A Children’s Guide and Activity Book for Saying Goodbye to a Special Dog” by Mary Gardner and Coleen Ellis
- “Goodbye Mousie” by Robbie Harris
- “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf” by Leo Buscaglia
For Teens & Young Adults
- “A Snowflake in My Hand” by Samantha Mooney
- “Lifetimes” by Brian Mellonie
- “Goodbye Friend” by Gary Koawlski
- “Paw Prints in the Stars” by Warren Hanson
- “Mostly Bob” by Tom Corwin
- “Swallowed by a Snake” by Thomas R. Golden
- “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul” by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Marty Becker DVM and Carol Kline
For Parents
- “Grieving the Death” of a Pet by Betty Carmack
- “Men and Grief” by Carol Staudacher
- “Kindred Spirit, Kindred Care: Making Health Decisions on Behalf of Our Animal Companions” by Shannon Fukimoto Nakaya, DVM
- “When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing” by Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
- “The Final Farewell: Preparing and Mourning” by Marty Touseley
- “When Children Grieve” by John W. James, Russell Friedman, and Leslie Matthews
For the Whole Family
- “Dog Blessings: Poems, Prose and Prayers” by June Cotner
- “Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs” by Gene Weingarten
These books approach the topic of pet loss with sensitivity, understanding, and warmth. They can help children and families process their emotions, find comfort in memories, and navigate the grieving process with support. Remember to select books that are appropriate for the age and emotional maturity of the child to ensure the best possible connection and understanding.
These books may be available through your local libraries, at your favorite book store or with on-line sellers. The links included to these books will bring you to their appropriate page on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.