Resources for talking with Children and Youth about Violence & Loss

Talking with Children & Youth about Violence

a guide from the National Association of School Psychologists

Books for Help and Healing

edited by Sharon Pearson

For children

Bahr, Mary. If Nathan Were Here (ages 5 and up) 0802851878
Buscaglia, Leo. The Fall of Freddy the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages (ages 4 and up) 978-0943432892
Clifton, Lucille. Everett Anderson’s Goodbye (ages 5 and up) 978-0805008005
dePaola, Tomie. Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs (ages 4 and up) 978-0698118362
Gellman, Marc. And God Cried, Too: A Kid’s Book of Healing and Hope (ages 7 and up) 9780060098865
Gellman, Marc. Lost & Found: A Kids’ Book for Living through Loss (ages 8 and up) 9780688157524
Hanson, Warren. The Next Place (ages 5 and up) 978-0931674327
Holmes, Margaret M. A Terrible Things Happened: A Story for Children Who Have Witnessed Violence or Trauma (ages 4 and up) 978-1557987013
Karst, Patrice. The Invisible String (ages 3 and up) 978-0875167343
Liss-Levinson, Nechama. Remembering My Grandmother: A Kid’s Own Grief Workbook in the Christian Tradition (ages 7 and up) 978-1594732126
Liss-Levinson, Nechama. Remembering My Pet: A Kid’s Own Spiritual Remembering Workbook for When a Pet Dies (ages 8 and up) 978-1594732218
Lovall, Cynthia Miller. The Star: A Story to Help Young Children Understand Foster Care (ages 6 and up) 978-0967701004
Mellonie, Bryan. Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children (5 and up) 978-0553344028
Miles, Miska. Annie and the Old One (ages 3 and up) 978-0316571203
Mills, Joyce. C. Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying (ages 4 and up) 978-1591470724
Rogers, Fred. When a Pet Dies (ages 4 and up) 978-0698116665
Rylant, Cynthia, Cat Heaven (ages 4 and up) 978-0590100540
Rylant, Cynthia. Dog Heaven (ages 4 and up) 978-0590417013
Schwiebert, Pat and Chuck DeKlyen. Tear Soup (ages 8 and up) 978-0961519766
Sgouros, Charissa. A Pillow for My Mom (ages 5 and up) 978-0395822807
Traisman, Enid A. A Child Remembers: A memory book for bereaved children (ages 8-12) 978-1561230693
Viorst, Judith. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (ages 6 and up) 978-0689712036

For youth

Fitzgerald, Helen. The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends 0684868040
Gamber, Jenifer C. and Sharon Ely Pearson. Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People 978-0819227645
Goodman, Marilyn E. When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving and Healing (ages 11 and up) 978-1575421704
Grollman, Earl A. Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: Hope to Cope with Losing Someone You Love (ages 12 and up) 978-0807025017
Krementz, Jill. How it Feels When a Parent Dies 978-0394758541
Traisman, Enid Samuel. Fire in My Heart, Ice in My Veins: A Journal for Teenagers Experiencing a Loss 978-1561230563

For parents and caregivers

Fitzgerald, Helen. The Grieving Child: A Parent’s Guide 978-0671767624
Stickney, Doris. Water Bugs and Fireflies: Explaining Death to Young Children 978-0829816242
The Dougy Center for Grieving Children. Helping Teens Cope with Death 978-1890534028