Books about grief for 8+

A stunning book about nature, the seasons and the cycle of life and death, My Nana’s Garden is a beautiful picture book and a perfect choice to use to talk to children about bereavement and the loss of a grandparent in particular. 

Each of the 50 poems featured in this splendid collection focuses on a different emotion, from kindness and joy to guilt and jealousy. With vibrant illustrations throughout, it’s an ideal book to foster a love of poetry and encourage emotional literacy.

The subject of bereavement is treated in an unusual way in Michael Rosen’s Sad Book, which deals with the death of the author’s own son.

A hard-hitting picture book which tells the true story of a Holocaust survivor. This important book explores dark events in a sensitive but unflinching way.  

Recently orphaned Will is sent to stay with an uncle he doesn’t know in a remote, mountainous valley. By caring for an injured osprey, he slowly comes to terms with his grief and learns to trust again. 

A thrilling time-slip adventure in which a scared boy runs into an ancient forest and falls into the Stone Age.

Lily and her grandfather travel back in time to share memories from his past as they both struggle to deal with his worsening Alzheimer’s. 

A magical story told across three different centuries, aboutfriendship, loss, ghosts – and lots of spiders.

Taking place in a believable urban, multicultural environment that will be familiar to many young readers, Polly Ho-Yen’s debut is an impressively moving and thought-provoking story that will touch children and adults alike.

Since her mum died, Sadé has been escaping to a magical imaginary land to deal with her grief – but the lines between the real world and her imagination start blurring as her feelings begin to get too much. A beautiful story that tackles big feelings in an accessible and relatable way.

Set in New Zealand, touching on indigenous culture and exploring the beaches, forests, wilderness and tourist towns of the North Island, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story with hope at its heart. 

Arian’s new foster sister is from another planet… literally! He and his mate Pete find themselves caught up with her on an interdimensional adventure filled with magick, danger and plenty of laughs! 

Rhys has to move to London from Wales, to live with his dad. But Dad doesn’t know about his new dog Worthington … Beautifully moving. 

While he’s in hospital waiting for a heart operation, Jamie writes to Dog, a cute little terrier he saw in the dog rescue centre, and is astounded when Dog writes back! A funny and moving illustrated chapter book, which sensitively explores the complexities of grief.

10-year-old Zak must give up his room when his Nani comes to stay. At first the pair lock horns, but as Nani begins to lose her memory, Zak uses her love of chess to remind her of her glory days. A beautiful, poignant book which explores the challenges of dementia and celebrates familial bonds.

This poetic, allegorical tale takes a hard look at the reality of living with a chronically ill sibling and how it affects family dynamics, with both seen and unseen consequences.