Library Bibliography

DONOR FAMILY LIBRARY
*Books that are cross-referenced are so noted within parentheses after the title

SECTION TWO: CHILDREN, TEENS AND PARENTAL GRIEF
CHILDREN'S COLLECTION (CC) - Books children can read and have read to them

AFTER CHARLOTTE'S MOM DIED by Cornelia Spelman L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W.
Because her mom's death causes six-year-old Charlotte to feel sad, mad, and scared, she and her dad visit a therapist who helps them acknowledge and express their feelings. Spelman reminds us that we can help a child who has lost a parent by sitting close, holding a hand, by crying together. This sharing of pain makes it bearable.

AFTER THE FUNERAL by Jane Winsch
Discusses the various feelings accompanying the death of a loved one, including sadness grief and the fear of death itself - written in a way that children can understand.

BADGER'S PARTING GIFTS by Susan Varley
All the woodland creatures love old Badger, who is their confidant, advisor, and friend. Badger's friends are sad when he dies, but they treasure the legacies he left them. Told simply, directly and honestly, this uplifting story will be of value to both children and their parents.

(THE) DEAD BIRD by Margaret Wise Brown
(An excellent handling of the subject of death for children ages 4 to 8 )
When they find a dead bird, a group of children bury it in the woods. They are very sorry and decide to say goodbye. They sing a song to the bird, and put flowers on the grave. Brown is a beloved author of children's books and has a sense about stories to which children will respond.

(THE) EMPTY PLACE - A Child's Guide Through Grief by Roberta Temes, Ph.D.
When a third grader's big sister dies, the boy is confused, angry, and scared "because someday my mother could die, or my father could die, or I could die." His babysitter, whose brother had died, suggests helpful ways to ease the pain.

*(THE) FALL OF FREDDIE THE LEAF - A Story of Life for All Ages (GB)
by Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D.
Freddie and his companion leaves change with the passing seasons, finally falling to the ground with winter's snow. This inspiring allegory illustrates the delicate balance between life and death. Children and adults will be touched by this sensitive treatment of death.

GERANIUM MORNING by E. Sandy Powell
A young boy has lost his father; his schoolmate's mother is dying. Powell examines the loss of a parent, gently probing the myriad feelings associated with grief. The book looks at the value of the shared experience as the root of recovery.

HEALING YOUR GRIEVING HEART: 100 Practical Ideas for Kids by Alan Wolfelt Ph.D.
Written for children ages 6 - 12, this book acknowledges that children need to mourn if they are to heal. They also need the compassionate support of adults. Wolfelt, an author, teacher, and grief counselor presents these healing ideas in a user-friendly small-book format with one idea per page.

HELP ME SAY GOODBYE - Activity Book by Janis Silverman
When someone they love dies or becomes terminally ill, children need help coping with grief and finding ways to remember and honor their special someone. This art therapy book encourages children to express their feelings in words or pictures, helping them deal with their feelings.

*HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS by Trina Paulus (GB)
Trina Paulus presents her easy-to-read picture book as "a tale partly about life, partly about revolution, and lots about hope for adults and others..." This story of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly is a metaphor of beautiful possibilities when life begets new life.

HOW I FEEL - A Coloring Book for Grieving Children by Alan Wolfelt Ph.D.

HOW IT FEELS WHEN A PARENT DIES by Jill Krementz

HOW WILL THEY GET THAT HEART DOWN YOUR THROAT? by Karen Walton

*LIFETIMES; THE BEAUTIFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN DEATH TO CHILDREN (CR)
by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen

(A) LITTLE BIT OF ROB by Barbara Turner

LIZZY GETS A NEW LIVER by Lizzy Ribal (English and Spanish language)

*MOLLY'S MOM DIED (CR) (The Centering Corporation) by Margaret Holmes

*(THE) NEXT PLACE (GB) by Warren Hanson

REMEMBERING (ages 6 - 11) An explanation of donation by Vajentic and Neuer

*REMEMBERING (GB) (ages 12 and up) An explanation of donation by Vajentic & Neuer

SAD HUG, MAD HUG, HAPPY HUG (LifeNet Health booklet) by Channing Bete Co.

(THE) SADDEST TIME by Nora Simon

*SAM'S DAD DIED (CR) (The Centering Corporation) by Margaret Holmes

SAYING GOODBYE Activity Book by Jim and Joan Boulden

SAYING GOODBYE TO DADDY by Judith Bigna

SAYING GOODBYE TO GRANDMA by Jane Thomas

STACY HAD A LITTLE SISTER by Wendie Old

(THE) TENTH GOOD THING ABOUT BARNEY by Judith Viorst

TIMOTHY DUCK by Lynn Bennett-Blackburn

WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES? by Trevor Romain

WHEN DINOSAURS DIE by Laurie Brown and Marc Brown

WHEN SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL DIES - Children's drawing book by Marge Heegaard

CHILDREN AND DEATH (CD) - Written for adults to explain death and help with grieving

EXPLAINING DEATH TO CHILDREN by Earl Grollman
This 47-page booklet, admits, "There are no simple, foolproof answers to death, the most difficult of all questions." Dr. Grollman has been a pioneer in family crisis intervention and counseling. He offers wonderful, concise guidelines and reminds us to be quiet and listen to our children and try to answer questions in the spirit in which they are asked.

(THE) GRIEVING CHILD by Helen Fitzgerald
Offering practical, compassionate advice for helping a child cope with the death of a loved one, Fitzgerald provides invaluable suggestions for dealing with a child's emotional responses. As death shatters the seemingly secure world of childhood, The Grieving Child can help a child adjust to a new life.

HEALING A CHILD'S GRIEVING HEART by Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
A teacher and grief counselor, Wolfelt presents 100 practical kid-friendly ideas for families, friends and caregivers who understand that a child has to mourn in order to heal. The reader can turn to any page and seize an idea that will support a child immediately. This concise, easy-to-use resource is also a good refresher for professional caregivers.

DEATH OF CHILDREN (DC) - Family resource for dealing with the loss of a child

*(A) CHILD DIES: A Portrait of Family Grief (CR) by Joan Arnold, and Penelope Gemma
This book was written for families who will benefit from sharing the experiences of others who have gone through the tragic loss of a child. It is also a resource for caregivers of bereaved families with insights to enable them to offer meaningful support and understanding.

PARENTAL GRIEF (PG) - Addressing the special needs of bereaved parents

AFTER THE DARKEST HOUR THE SUN WILL SHINE AGAIN by Elizabeth Mehren
After Mehren's daughter died, she wrote the book she most needed -- a book that is both guide and meditation. She tells her own story and the stories of other bereaved parents to offer solace, support, and inspiration. Opening yourself to the grief journey, she believes, allows it to transform itself.

(THE) BEREAVED PARENT by Harriet Schiff
Written by a bereaved mother, this is a classic for parents whose child has died and for all who want to help them. It examines the complex ramifications of the death of a child and the seemingly endless aftermath of sorrow and despair. Schiff offers guidelines and practical step-by-step suggestions to help the bereaved cope with every stage of grief. It offers reassurance while helping survivors rebuild their lives.

(A) BROKEN HEART STILL BEATS by Anne McCracken and Mary Semel
A journalist and a social worker, both of whom have lost a child, compiled this collection of poetry, fiction, and essays. The seasoned wisdom chosen explores the shock, grief, and the search for meaning that comes with the death of a child. These words offer rare insight and comfort when you need it most.

GOODBYE MY CHILD by Sara Wheeler and Margaret Pike
When your child dies, you lose a part of your future. Goodbye My Child guides you gently through decisions that need to be made and through the thoughts and feelings you may have as you find and accept your own way through shock, awareness withdrawal and recovery.

PARENTAL LOSS OF A CHILD Edited by Theresa Rando

*ON CHILDREN AND DEATH (CR) by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D.

*SUICIDE OF A CHILD (DS) by Adina Wrobleski (A Centering Corp. Resource)
An author who knows about suicide personally and professionally writes a very concise handbook for parents, outlining feelings you may have, the ways you can relate to others, your marriage, your other children and what you can do to take care of yourself.

TEEN COLLECTION (TC) - Books for and about teenage bereavement

FIRE IN MY HEART, ICE IN MY VEINS (Centering Corp..) by Enid Traisman, M.S.W.
This fill-in journal for teenagers experiencing a loss begins: "Experiencing the death of a person you care about is probably the most painful and confusing event you ever have to face. Having it happen now, when you are already dealing with the ups and down of being a teenager, may feel unbearable at times ...". Traisman's book provides a creative guide through the grief process.

HEALING A TEENS GRIEVING HEART: 100 Practical Ideas by Alan Wolfelt Ph.D.
This is a book written for families, friends and caregivers. Practical, realistic ideas are presented in a simple, easy-to-use format that allows the reader to flip to any page and begin helping a grieving teen today.

*HEALING YOUR GRIEVING HEART FOR TEENS: 100 Practical Ideas (CR) by Wolfelt
This book is written for teens and presents simple tips for understanding and expressing grief. Wolfelt, a grief counselor and teacher, understands that "being a teen is hard enough; being a grieving teen can feel completely overwhelming". Teens are encouraged to immediately flip to any page and help themselves on their journey through grief.

HELPING TEENS COPE WITH DEATH by the Dougy Center for Grieving Children
Every teen's grief journey is unique. Each handles it differently. Advice from other parents of teens is reassuring and comforting as this 57-page book offers tips on navigating anger, guilt, and frustration as well as suggestions for coping with holidays and anniversaries.

STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT DEATH FOR TEENAGERS by Earl Grollman

TEENAGERS FACE TO FACE WITH BEREAVEMENT by Gravell and Haskins

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: TEENS TALK ABOUT LIFE AFTER THE LOSS OF A PARENT by Lynne Hughes

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*Crossreferenced