Books for Children
Books for Parents & Professionals
Books for Teens
Books for General Reading
Our staff has compiled the following list of books to aid you in healing, in understanding, and to help you or someone you love cope with the suicide loss of a loved one.
For books for the General Bookstore audience, Parents & Professional, or Teens, please see the above links for book recommendations under those categories.
Ages 5-8
The Two of Them, by Aliki
The Dead Bird, by Margaret Wise Brown and Remy Charlip
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, by Judith Viorst and Erik Blegvad
When Dinosaurs Die, by Laurie Krasny Brown (Author), Marc Brown (Illustrator)
The authors explain in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died.
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children, by Bryan Mellonie
My Grandpa Died Today, by Joan Fassler
Aarvy Aardvark Find Hope: A Read Aloud Story for People of All Ages about Loving and Losing, Friendship and Hope, by Donna R. O’Toole
The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst (Author), Geoff Stevenson (Illustrator)
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages, by Leo Buscaglia
When Someone Very Special Dies, by Marge Heegaard
An excellent, helpful coloring book. Used individually and by many children’s support groups.
A Terrible Thing Happened, by Margaret M. Holmes
In the Wake of Suicide: A Child’s Journey, by Diane Bouman Kaulen, M.S. (Author), CCLS (Author), Caryl McAdoo (Editor), Grami & O’Pa McAdoo (Illustrator)
A children’s book for grades 3-5 through a first-person narrative detailing the grief experienced by a boy who lost his father to suicide. Inspirational Christian scriptures are used to illustrate the boy’s journey.
Someone I Loved Died by Suicide: A Story for Child Survivors and Those Who Care for Them, by Doreen T. Cammarata (Author), Michael Ives Volk (Illustrator), Leela Accetta (Illustrator)
Ages 9-12
How it Feels When a Parent Dies, by Jill Krementz
The Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson (author), Donna Diamond (Illustrator)
Saying Goodbye To Daddy, by Judith Vigna and Abby Levine
Badger’s Parting Gift, by Susan Varley
Have you found another book helpful? Let us know and we will add it to our list.
Please send an email to webmaster@SOSLsd.org
View the full Children’s Reading List
Contribute to our quilt
We invite you to include a message and/or photo of your loved one who has died by suicide. Click for memorial quilt donation form .
News
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Lindsay’s Story
I became a suicide survivor on July 27, 2011, when my Dad, Tom, decided to end his life. He rode his bike down the block to a park and shot himself. It still feels weird saying that out loud, Read More »