Caregiver Resources
Grief Book Resources For Parents & Families
General Suggestions
Draw it out
(Draw It Out offers kids a safe place to ask difficult questions and mull over their answers. Suggested age range: 4th to 5th grade)
by Art With Heart
Magnificent Marvelous Me!
(gives children an opportunity to name their emotions, support systems, and dreams for the future. Suggested age range: 2nd through 3rd grade.)
by Art With Heart
Understanding Grief: Helping Yourself Heal
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
Healing a Parent's Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas After Your Child Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul: Stories About Life, Death and Overcoming the Loss of a Loved One
by Jack Canfield, Mark Hansen
Dear Cheyenne: A Journey into Grief, 6th Edition
(40 week stillbirth)
by Joanne Cacciatore-Garard
Parents' grief: Help and understanding after the death of a baby
by Carol Parrott
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby
by Deborah L. Davis
When a Baby Dies
by Dr. Ronald H. Nash
On Children and Death
by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Questions and Answers On Death And Dying
by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
The Death of a Child: Reflections for Grieving Parents
by Elaine E. Stillwell
What Forever Means After the Death of a Child: Transcending the Trauma, Living with the Loss
by Kay Talbot
I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One
by Brook Noel, Pamela D. Blair, PhD
Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working through Grief
by Martha W. Hickman
A Grief Observed
by C. S. Lewis
When There Are No Words: Finding Your Way to Cope With Loss and Grief
by Charlie Walton
After the Darkest Hour the Sun Will Shine Again: A Parent's Guide to Coping with the Loss of a Child
by Elizabeth Mehren
The Worst Loss: How Families Heal from the Death of a Child
by Barbara D. Rosof
The Bereaved Parent
by Harriet Sarnoff Schiff
After the Death of a Child: Living with Loss through the Years
(Mother wrote about her 18 yr old son’s death)
by Ann K. Finkbeiner
Remembering: The Death of a Child
(Father wrote about his 18 yr old son’s death)
by Robert R. Thompson
Gone but Not Lost: Grieving the Death of a Child
by David W. Wiersbe
Finding Hope When a Child Dies: What Other Cultures Can Teach Us
by Sukie Miller, Ph.D.
Love Never Dies: A Mother's Journey from Loss to Love
by Sandy Goodman
A Broken Heart Still Beats: After Your Child Dies
by Anne McCracken
Quit Kissing My Ashes: A Mother's Journey through Grief
by Judy Collier
Tear Soup
by Pat Schweibert
Longing for My Child: Reflections for Parents and Siblings After a Child's Death
by Christine O'Keefe Lafser
When The Bough Breaks: Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter
by Judith R. Bernstein, Ph.D.
Writing to Heal the Soul: Transforming Grief and Loss Through Writing
by Susan Zimmermann
How Can I Help?
Suggestions for People Who Care About Someone Who’s Baby Died Before Birth
by Martha Wegner-Hay
An Empty Cradle, a Full Heart: Reflections for Mothers and Fathers After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
by Christine O'Keeffe Lafser
I'll Hold You in Heaven: Healings and Hope for the Parent of a Miscarried, Aborted, or Stillborn Child
by Pastor Jack Hayford
A Silent Love: Personal Stories of Coming to Terms with Miscarriage
by Adrienne Ryan
Unspeakable Losses:
Healing From Miscarriage, Abortion, and Other Pregnancy Loss
by Kim Kluger-Bell
Unsupported losses: Ectopic and molar pregnancy and blighted ovum
(Out of Print, special ordering required)
by Sherokee Ilse
Mother care: Physical care and beyond after a baby dies
by Sherokee Ilse
An Empty Cradle, a Full Heart: Reflections for Mothers and Fathers
After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
by Christine O'Keeffe Lafser
When Hello Means Goodbye
(Stillbirth, neonatal loss)
by Paul Kirk, Pat Schwiebert
The Night I Held An Angel: An Inspirational Testimony Of A Mother's Healing Journey After The Loss Of Her Stillborn Child
by Zchantell McDonnell
A Silent Sorrow: Pregnancy Loss - Guidance and Support for You and Your Family
by Ingrid Kohn, Perry-Lynn Moffitt, Isabelle A. Wilkins
Dear Cheyenne: A Journey into Grief, 6th Edition
(40 week stillbirth)
by Joanne Cacciatore-Garard
Still to Be Born
(Subsequent pregnancy and later trimester loss issues)
by Pat Schwiebert, Paul Kirk
Miscarriage: Women Sharing from the Heart
by Marie Allen, Shelly Marks
Hope is Like the Sun: Finding Hope and Healing After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
by Ann H. Prescot
Parenthood Lost: Healing the Pain after Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death
by Michael R. Berman
Life Touches Life: A Mother's Story of Stillbirth and Healing
by Christiane Northrup, M.D.
Help, Comfort and Hope After Losing Your Baby in Pregnancy or the First Year
by Hannah Lothrop
When a Baby Dies:
The Experience of Late Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Neonatal Death
by Nancy Kohner, Alix Henley
Spiritual/Religious Suggestions on Grief/Loss
A Mother's Grief Observed: A Personal Account of How God Brought Hope and Healing Following the Devastating Loss of a Son
(Loss of her young son)
by Rebecca Faber
A Rose in Heaven
by Dawn Siegrist Waltman
Lament for a Son
(Loss of his adult son)
by Nicholas Wolterstorff
The Angel with the Golden Glow: A Family's Journey Through Loss and Healing
by Elissa Al-Chokhachy
But for a Season: Finding Peace After the Loss of a Child
by Dan M. Quinn
Grieving the Child I Never Knew
(Devotional companion, journal/book)
by Kathe Wunnenberg
Heart's Rest: God's Gift to a Grieving Parent
by Kathryn Popio
My Baby's in Heaven: Hope for Grieving Parents
by Kari Walther Airgood
God Knows You're Grieving: Things to Do to Help You Through
by Joan Guntzelman
Mourning Journey: Spiritual Guidance for Facing Grief, Death and Loss
by Dennis Young
From Grief to Glory: Rediscovering Life After Loss
(6 yr old loss)
by Harry Salem, Cheryl Salem
From Grief to Glory: Spiritual Journeys of Mourning Parents
by James W. Bruce
Praying Our Goodbyes
by Joyce Rupp
Butterflies: Talking With Children About Death... and Life Eternal
by P. William Vanderwyden
Six Steps for Managing Loss: A Catholic Guide Through Grief
by Terence P. Curley
Hope for Each Day: Words of Wisdom and Faith
by Billy Graham
Hope For The Troubled Heart: Finding God In The Midst Of Pain
by Billy Graham
Living the Promises of God: 365 Readings for Recovery from Grief and Loss
by Paul F. Keller
Disrupted: Finding God in Illness and Loss
(Library Binding)
by Virgil M. Fry
The Winds of Change: A Guided Journey with Healing Music through Grief, Loss & Transformation
by Marcia Breitenbach
Grieving: The Pain and the Promise
(Mormon faith)
by Deanna Edwards
A Child's Garden Of Verses A Collection Of Scriptures, Prayers & Poems
(Inspirational, Christian based)
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Mommy, Please Don't Cry: There Are No tears in Heaven
by Linda DeYmaz
Breakfast for the Heart
Meditations to Nourish Your Soul
by Diane M. Komp, MD
Write from Your Heart: A Healing Grief Journal
(Gives 18 key points of key survival using bible verses)
by Kathrine Peterson, Fannie Roach Palmer, Trisha Smith
Why Me? : A Doctor Looks at the Book of Job
by Diane M. Komp, MD
Free to Grieve
by Maureen Rank
Spiritual/Religious Suggestions on Infertility
Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart In The Midst Of Infertility
by Jennifer Saake
Water from the Rock: Finding God's Comfort in the Midst of Infertility
by Donna Gibbs, Phyllis Rabon
When the Cradle Is Empty
(Focus on the Family Presents)
by John Van Regenmorter, Sylvia Van Regenmorter
Moments for Couples Who Long for Children
(New Life Devotional)
by Ginger Garrett, Steve Arterburn
Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope:
A Jewish Spiritual Companion for Infertility and Pregnancy Loss
by Nina Beth Cardin
Complications and Grief During Pregnancy
Time to Decide a Time to Heal
For Parents Making Difficult Decisions About Babies They Love
by M. A. Minnick
Waiting With Gabriel: A Story of Cherishing a Baby's Brief Life
A mother is pregnant knowing her baby will not live
by Amy Kuebelbeck
Precious Lives Painful Choices: A Prenatal Decision-Making Guide
by Sherokee Ilse
Presenting Unexpected Outcomes
by Sherokee Ilse
Life and Death Decisions: Help in Making Tough Choices About Infertility, Abortion, Birth Defects, and AIDS
by Robert D. Orr, David L. Schiedermayer, David B. Biebel
Infertility and Loss Books, Subsequent Pregnancy
Infertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: The Devastating Reality
by Angela D. Cerda
Miscarriage and The Successful Pregnancy: A Woman’s Guide to Infertility and Reproductive Loss
by William P Hummel MD, FACOF
Trying Again: A Guide to Pregnancy after Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss
by Ann Douglas
Stolen Joy: Healing After Infertility & Infant Loss
by Anne Barney
Still to Be Born
(Subsequent pregnancy and later trimester loss issues)
by Pat Schwiebert, Paul Kirk
Pregnancy After a Loss:
A Guide to Pregnancy after a Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Infant Death
by Carol Cirulli Lanham
Grieving Reproductive Loss: The Healing Process
by Anne Lassance
Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling With Infertility
by Marlo Schalesky
Books Related to Multiples; twins, triplets and more
A Different Kind of Mother: Surviving the Loss of My Twins
by Christine Howser
Living Without Your Twin
by Betty Jean Case
When a Twin or Triplet Dies
by Barbara Read
Embracing Laura; The grief and healing following the death of an infant twin
by Martha Wegner-Hay
Child/Adolescent Loss
The Forever Child: A Tale of Loss and Impossible Dreams
by B. Bryan Post; Nancy A. Clark
A Broken Heart Still Beats: After Your Child Dies
by Anne McCracken
Tear Soup
by Pat Schweibert
Hannah's Gift: Lessons from a Life Fully Lived
(Written by a mother whose 3 yr old child died of cancer)
by Maria Housden
After the Darkest Hour the Sun Will Shine Again:
A Parent's Guide to Coping with the Loss of a Child
by Elizabeth Mehren
The Death of a Child: Reflections For Grieving Parents
by Elaine E. Stillwell
What Forever Means After the Death of a Child:
Transcending the Trauma, Living with the Loss
by Kay Talbot
Parents' grief: Help and understanding after the death of a Baby
by Carol Parrott
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby
by Deborah L. Davis
Healing a Parent's Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas After Your Child Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
Gone but Not Lost: Grieving the Death of a Child
by David W. Wiersbe
The Screaming Room: A Mother's Journal of Her Son's Struggle With AIDS
by Barbara Peabody
After the Death of a Child: Living with Loss through the Years
(18 yr old)
by Ann K. Finkbeiner
Remembering: The Death of a Child
(18 yr old)
by Robert R. Thompson
The Worst Loss: How Families Heal from the Death of a Child
(15 yr old loss)
by Barbara D. Rosof
Love Never Dies: A Mother's Journey from Loss to Love
(18 yr old loss)
by Sandy Goodman
The Bereaved Parent
by Harriet Sarnoff Schiff
When The Bough Breaks: Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter
by Judith R. Bernstein, Ph.D.
How to Survive the Loss of a Child: Filling the Emptiness and Rebuilding Your Life
by Catherine Sanders, Ph.D.
After the Death of a Child: Living with Loss through the Years
by Ann K. Finkbeiner
Finding Hope When a Child Dies: What Other Cultures Can Teach Us
by Sukie Miller, Ph.D.
For Fathers
A Grief Unveiled: One Father's Journey through the Loss of a Child
by Gregory Floyd
Heartworks - A Father's Grief
by Jerre Petersen
Give Sorrow Words: A Father's Passage Through Grief
by Tom Crider
Beyond eagles: A Father's Grief and Hope
by Earl P McQuay
The Rocking Horse is Lonely and other stories of Fathers' Grief
by James D. Nelson
No Mountain Too High: A Father's Inspiring Journey Through Grief
by Ned Levitt
An Empty Cradle, a Full Heart: Reflections for Mothers and Fathers after Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
by Christine O'Keeffe Lafser
Men & Grief
by Carol Staudacher
Strong And Tender: A Guide For The Father Whose Baby Has Died
by Pat Schwiebert
For Grandparents
Forgotten Tears: A Grandmother's Journey through Grief
by Nina Bennett
When a Grandchild Dies: What to Do, What to Say, How to Cope
by Nadine Galinsky
For Bereaved Grandparents
by Margaret H. Gerner
Grandparents Cry Twice: Help for Bereaved Grandparents
by Mary Lou Reed
Poem Books on Loss and Celebration of Life
The Limits of Miracles: Poems about the Loss of Babies
by Marion Deutsche Cohen
Counting To Zero: Poems on Repeated Miscarriages
by Marion Deutsche Cohen
To Henry in Heaven: Reflections On The Loss Of A Child
(Poems & Letters, full term stillbirth)
by Herbert Brokering
New Fields and Other Stones: On a Child's Death: Poems
by Saul Bennett
Death, Child, and Love: Poems, 1980-2000
by Edward Francisco
Adrift: Poems after the Death of a Child-and Other Writings
by Natalie Morrissey, John Morrissey
Ten Poems to Change Your Life
by Roger Housden
Ten Poems to Open Your Heart
by Roger Housden
Ten Poems to Set You Free
by Roger Housden
New and Selected Poems: Volume One
by Mary Oliver
An uplifting book of poems celebrating the gift of life
The Andrew Poems
by Shelly Wagner
Written by a mother whose toddler died in drowning accident
The Gift of a Memory: A Keepsake to Commemorate the Loss of a Loved One
Fill in the blanks, beautiful illustrations
by Marianne Richmond
Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working through Grief
by Martha W. Hickman
The Night I Held An Angel: An Inspirational Testimony Of A Mother's Healing Journey After The Loss Of Her Stillborn Child
by Zchantell McDonnell
Write from Your Heart: A Healing Grief Journal
by Kathrine Peterson, Fannie Roach Palmer, Trisha Smith
When Death Has Touched Your Life: Thoughts, Poems, and Prayers at a Time of Loss
by John E. Biegert
A Child's Garden Of Verses A Collection Of Scriptures, Prayers & Poems
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Inspirational book suggestions by parents:
Hannah's Gift: Lessons from a Life Fully Lived
Written by a mother whose 3 yr old child died of cancer
by Maria Housden
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life
by Byron Katie
When Hello Means Goodbye
by Paul Kirk, Pat Schwiebert
Ten Poems to Change Your Life
by Roger Housden
New and Selected Poems: Volumes One and Two
by Mary Oliver
Celebrating the gift of life
The Worst Loss: How Families Heal from the Death of a Child
by Barbara D. Rosof
Tear Soup
(ages 9-adult)
by Pat Schweibert
How To Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies
by Therese A. Rando, Ph.D.
The Andrew Poems
by Shelly Wagner
Written by a mother whose toddler dies in drowning accident
Life Touches Life: A Mother's Story of Stillbirth and Healing
by Christiane Northrup, M.D.
Lifetimes
(This is a book about the rhythm of life and death for all creatures. A beautiful way to explain loss to children, but great for all ages)
by Bryan Mellonie
Chronic illness, hospitalization
Keeping Katherine: A Mother's Journey to Acceptance
(Rett Syndrome)
by Susan Zimmermann
A Mother's Diary: How to Survive the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NICU
by Menetra Hathorn
Treasured Memories (Ring-bound)
NICU
by Rebecca Niestrath, Lisa Olson
Little Tree: A Story for Children With Serious Medical Illness
by Joyce C. Mills, Brian Sebern
Time to Decide a Time to Heal (Chronically Ill Children)
For Parents Making Difficult Decisions About Babies They Love
by M. A. Minnick
Oodles of Doodles For Your Noodle: A Hospital Activity Book
(Elementary-aged children)
By Art With Heart
Children and Cancer/Explaining illness to young readers
What Is Cancer Anyway? Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages
by Karen L. Carney
Can I Still Kiss You? Answering Your Children's Questions about Cancer
by Neil Russell
Because Someone I Love Has Cancer: Kids' Activity Book
(Spiral-bound)
by American Cancer Society
Chemo Girl: Saving the World One Treatment at a Time
(Explaining chemotherapy to children)
by Christina Richmond
Kathy's Hats: A Story of Hope
(grades 2-4)
by Trudy Krisher
Henry and the White Wolf
(ages 4-8, discussing illness of people we love)
by Tim Karu
Why, Charlie Brown, Why? :A Story About What Happens When a Friend Is Very Ill
(leukemia)
by Charles M. Schulz
The Rainbow Feelings of Cancer A Book for Children Who Have a Loved One with Cancer
(Siblings)
by Carrie Martin, Chia Martin
What About Me? When Brothers and Sisters Get Sick
(ages4-8)
by Allan Peterkin
When Molly Was in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children
(Preschool-elementary)
by Debbie Duncan
Family Books About Loss
Explaining death to young children & teens
Healing Your Grieving Heart for Kids
by Alan D. Wolfelt Ph.D.
A Child’s View of Grief
by Alan Wolfelt
The Worst Loss: How Families Heal from the Death of a Child
by Barbara D. Rosof
Helping Children Grieve: When Someone They Love Dies
by Theresa M. Huntley
Tear Soup
(ages 9-adult)
by Pat Schweibert, Chuck DeKlyen
The Next Place
(all ages)
Beautiful illustrations, calming explanation
by Warren Hanson
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: 20th Anniversary Edition
(all ages)
by Leo Buscaglia
Sad Isn't Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss
(ages 4-8)
by Michaelene Mundy
I Miss You: A First Look at Death
(ages 3-8)
by Pat Thomas
The Snowman: A Book About Children and Grief
(ages 9-12)
by Robin Helene Vogel, Caroline Christian
Water Bugs & Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children
(ages 9-12)
by Doris Stickney
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
helping a young child through loss
(ages 4-8)
by Judith Viors
When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death
(ages 4-8)
by Laurie Krasny Brown
Drawing Out Feelings
by Marge Heegaard
What Color is Death, Daddy?
(ages 2-8)
by Joanne Cacciatore-Garard
Baby Angels: Board Book – A simple prayer about a Baby Guardian Angel
(ages 2-8)
by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
What's Heaven?
(ages 4-8)
by Maria Shriver
Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying
(ages 4-8)
by Joyce C. Mills, Cary Pillo
Grandma's Scrapbook – celebrating life
(all ages)
by Josephine Nobisso
Grandpa Loved – celebrating life
(ages 6-older)
(rated #1 children’s book of the year by Parents Magazine)
by Josephine Nobisso
When Your Grandparent Dies: A child’s guide to good grief
(all ages)
by Victoria Ryan
Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope
When a Special Person Dies
(ages 4-8)
by Janis Silverman
What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies?
(ages 9-12)
by Trevor Romain
Butterflies: Talking With Children About Death... and Life Eternal
(Christian based)
by P. William Vanderwyden
Lifetimes
(This is a book about the rhythm of life and death for all creatures.
A beautiful way to explain loss to children, but great for all ages)
by Bryan Mellonie
We Were Gonna Have a Baby, But We Had an Angel Instead
(ages 4-8)
by Pat Schwiebert
Mending Peter's Heart
(loss of pet to explain death, ages 5 & older)
by Maureen Wittbold
Giggy, What Happened to My Daddy: Six Stories in Six Days to Open the Heart Where Paths Cross
(ages 4-8)
by Margaret C. Seagraves
The Gift of a Memory: A Keepsake to Commemorate the Loss of a Loved One
(all ages) Beautiful illustrations fill in the blanks
by Marianne Richmond
When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief
by Marge Heegaard
What About the Kids? Understanding Their Needs in Funeral Planning and Services
by The Dougy Center for Grieving Children
35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child
by The Dougy Center for Grieving Children
After the Tears, A Gentle Guide to Help Children Understand Death
Video (Christian based)
Teens:
Chill & Spill: A place to put it down and work it out
(Teens)
By Art With Heart
I Will Remember You; A Guidebook through Grief for Teens
by Laura Dower
Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love
by Earl A. Grollman
The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends
by Helen Fitzgerald
When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens about Grieving & Healing
by Marilyn E. Gootman
Fire in My Heart, Ice in My Veins: A Journal for Teenagers Experiencing a Loss
by Enid Samuel Traisman
Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
Suggestions just for Siblings
I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One
(sudden death of author’s adult brother)
by Brook Noel, Pamela D., Ph.D.
This Book Is For All Kids, But Especially My Sister, Libby. Libby Died.
by Jack Simon, Annette Simon
Surviving the Death of a Sibling:Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or Sister Dies
by T.J. Wray
Recovering from the Loss of a Sibling
by Katherine Fair Donnelly
The Empty Room: Surviving the Loss of a Brother or Sister at Any Age
by Elizabeth DeVita-Raeburn
Take Your Time, Go Slowly: After the Tragic and Sudden Death of a Child.
For the parents and siblings with no time to say good-bye
by Ronald Snyder
Letters to Sara: The Agony of Adult Sibling Loss
by Anne McCurry
Sibling grief after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death
by Sherokee Ilse
Chill & Spill: A place to put it down and work it out
(Teens)
By Art With Heart