This week is Children's Grief Awareness Week. Children’s Grief Awareness Week is an initiative founded by Grief Encounter, in association with the Children’s Bereavement Network and partnering charities, designed to raise awareness of bereaved children and young people in the UK; and how providing those affected with free, professional support can make the world of difference to their future.
With this in mind, we thought we'd share some of our reading recommendations for children experiencing grief.
The Pond
Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher
The Pond is a touching picture book about a young boy, and his family, overcoming the loss of his father. This colourful, emotional book is filled with natural imagery, and will teach children not only about death and loss, but the importance of the natural world.
‘Nicola Davies’ tale is heartbreaking and unafraid of tackling the real pain involved in losing someone you love, but it strikes an ultimately hopeful tone. Complemented by Cathy Fisher’s astonishingly evocative, swirling and exquisite illustrations, The Pond is a raw and emotional read but an important one, using nature to symbolise the circle of life in a thoughtful, considered and beautiful way'
- BookTrust
Goodbye Hobbs
Emma Bettridge and Josephine Birch
Merlin won’t go out. Not without his best friend Hobbs. Join Merlin as he goes on an adventure to learn how to say ‘Goodbye Hobbs’.
A story of what it means to love and lose a friend, and to find reasons to go for a walk again.
'Josephine Birch’s painterly illustrations of the walk capture the complex emotions of Merlin. Her initial sombre colour palette changes to one of warm autumnal shades, and her subdued brush strokes become more exuberant as his mood lifts with each new discovery of his friend’s scented messages. A helpful book for any parents or educators wanting something to help explain the feelings surrounding the loss of a loved one.'
- Jill R Bennett, Red Reading Hub
Only One of Me: A love letter from Mum
Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Catalina Echeverri
Most of us can’t imagine having the time we spend with our children cut short, but this is the reality being faced by mother of two Lisa Wells, who was diagnosed with terminal bowel and liver cancer in December 2017 at the age of 32.
Only One of Me is the product of Lisa’s lifelong love of writing and friendship with award-winning children’s author Michelle Robinson. The two collaborated on this tender and moving rhyming poem, with charming illustrations by Catalina Echeverri, which is both a love letter to Lisa’s own daughters and a testament to the unwavering strength of parental love, a timeless message for families facing the challenges of bereavement.
Only One of Me: A love letter from Dad
Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Tim Budgen
Most of us can’t imagine having the time we spend with our children cut short, but this is the reality being faced by mother of two Lisa Wells, who was diagnosed with terminal bowel and liver cancer in December 2017 at the age of 32.
Only One of Me is the product of Lisa’s lifelong love of writing and friendship with award-winning children’s author Michelle Robinson. The two collaborated on this tender and moving rhyming poem, with charming illustrations by Tim Budgen, which is both a love letter to Lisa’s own daughters and a testament to the unwavering strength of parental love, a timeless message for families facing the challenges of bereavement.