Books for Parents

Talking About Death: A Dialogue Between Parent and Child by Earl Grollman, Beacon Press, ISBN 0807023639 (1991)
From the publisher:
Why do people die? How do you explain the loss of a loved one to a child? This book is a compassionate guide for adults and children to read together, featuring a readalong story, answers to questions children ask about death, and a comprehensive list of resources and organizations that can help.

When Your Pet Dies: Dealing With Your Grief and Helping Your Children Cope by Christine Adamec, iUniverse Incorporated, ISBN 0595092470 (2000)
From the publisher:
You feel sad, maybe even devastated, over the loss of a cherished companion who was part of your family. However you choose to cope--by private reflection or sharing your feelings with others--this book can help you accept your sadness as natural and normal, and guide you through the process of grief. With compassionate advice on helping children cope, practical information about helpful organizations, and words of comfort from pet owners and counselors, this reassuring volume can help you get through this time of crisis--and realize that you are not alone.

When Children Grieve by John W. James, HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 0060084294 (2002)
From the publisher:
There are many life experiences that can produce feelings of grief in a child, everything from the death of a relative or a divorce, to more everyday experiences such as moving to a new neighborhood or losing a prized possession. Whatever the reason or the degree of severity, if a child you love is grieving, the guidelines examined in this thoughtful book can make a difference.

Healing the Bereaved Child by Alan Wolfelt, PhD, Companion Press, ISBN 1879651106 (1996)
From the publisher:
This inspiring and heartfelt book is designed for caregivers, friends and families of bereaved children. By comparing grief counseling to gardening, Dr. Wolfelt frees us of the traditional medical model of bereavement care, which implies that grief is an illness that must be cured. He suggest that caregivers instead embrace a more holistic view of the normal, natural and necessary process that is grief. He then explores the ways in which bereaved children can no only heal but grow through grief. For more information or to order visit www.centerforloss.com.

A Child's View of Grief by Alan Wolfelt, PhD, Companion Press, ISBN 1879651009 (1999)
In this informative, easy-to-read book, Dr. Wolfelt explains how children and adolescents grieve after someone loved dies and offers helping guidelines for caregiving adults. An excellent, concise resource for parents of grieving kids, this book is used by hundreds of hospices and funeral homes throughout North America.