Last Updated: January 15, 2026
Drawn Onward
by Daniel Nayeri
In this palindrome picture book, a young boy grieving the loss of his mother embarks on a fantastical adventure that illuminates what remains when our loved ones are gone. A young boy who’s lost all hope braves the dark forest to ask, “Mom, were you glad you were mom?” Drawn Onward guides readers through the depths of grief and provides comfort and hope to those who seek answers when it feels like all is lost.
Cape
by Kevin Johnson
After losing the person in his life he loves more than anything, a young child holds onto a cape as a source of comfort and strength as he navigates the sadness and joy of his memories.
Rodney Was a Tortoise
by Nan Forler
When her beloved pet tortoise, Rodney, dies, Bernadette feels all alone until a special friend helps her overcome her sadness, in this comforting and gently humorous picture book about bereavement and the power of friendship.
The Longest Letsgoboy
by Derick Wilder
As a dog and his little girl go on their final walk together, he gets to experience the sights, smells, and wonders of this world one last time before peacefully passing on. But for such a good boy and his foreverfriend, that doesn’t mean it’s the end.
The Boy and the Gorilla
by Jackie Azúa Kramer
This profoundly moving tale about a grieving boy and an imaginary gorilla makes real the power of talking about loss. On the day of his mother’s funeral, a young boy conjures the very visitor he needs to see – a gorilla. Wise and gentle, the gorilla stays on to answer the heart-heavy questions the boy hesitates to ask his father.
Abuelo’s Flower Shop
by Jackie Morera
Elena is finally old enough to sell flowers with her abuelo in his shop. But she notices that many of the people who visit have tears in their eyes. Abuelo tells her the shop is the last stop before people visit the garden beyond the gate. A place for telling the ones you’ve loved and lost, “Te recuerdo y te extraño,” I remember you, and I miss you.
Dadaji’s Paintbrush
by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Rucki Mhasane
Once, in a tiny village in India, there was a young boy who loved to paint. He lived with his grandfather, who taught him to paint with his fingers, to make paints from marigolds and brushes made from jasmine flowers. Sometimes, the village children would watch them painting together, and the boy’s grandfather would invite them to join in. They didn’t have much, but they had each other. After his grandfather dies, the boy notices a little box wrapped in string with a note that read: “From Dadaji, with love,” with his grandfather’s best paintbrush tucked away inside. But he feels he will never want to paint again. Will the boy overcome his grief and find joy in painting and his dadaji’s memory again?
Perder a un Ser Querido
de Caitie McAneney
The death of a loved one is a heartbreaking event in a child’s life. This book will guide readers through the feelings and questions they might have after such a loss.
The Grief Rock: A Book to Understand Grief and Love
by Natasha Daniels
When someone you love dies, the grief rock shows up. Sometimes grief can feel like a heavy weight you are carrying around. It can be difficult to explain how you feel or know how you will cope carrying the grief rock around. This gentle story explores how grief is filled with all the love we have for someone who was important in our lives.
Sitting Shiva
by Erin Silver
In this gorgeously illustrated, deeply moving picture book, a young girl learns about the practice of sitting shiva after her mother dies.