Illness, death and loss are not common picture book topics, nor are they things you necessarily long to discuss with your little kids. However, sometimes life is hard and sad, even for children, and when it is I feel like picture books are a wonderful way to start or continue conversations. Picture books allow us to feel seen, make experiences feel shared, encourage us to see other perspectives. That is their magic – in all sorts of contexts.
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10+ Picture Books about Illness, Death, and Loss
Below are beautiful, heart filled, warm and sometimes heartbreaking picture books about illness, death and loss. They are all thoughtfully created and discuss those big, hard moments with care.
1. Cancer Hates Kisses
by Jessica Reid Sliwerski
illustrated by Mika Song
This book is cancer specific. It is a wonderful story that empowers young kids in a scary, uncertain situation.
2. Ida, Always
by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso
There is so much heart in this book based on a true stories about two polar bears at the Central Park Zoo. One of the polar bears gets sick and slowly dies, but the book is overflows with love and friendship.
3. I’m Sad
by Michael Ian Black
Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
I really love this simple, frank conversation about feeling sad. The text is simple and conversational, but feels so realistic and honest. It’s the kind of conversation I have with my children or I hear them having with each other. The author nailed the child-like voices of the characters. All of that is solid and good, but what tips this book from good to great are the choice of characters and the illustrations. If this was a conversation between three kids for example, it would be honest and good but I think it might be a little too sad or even dull. The genius decision to make it a conversation between a child, a flamingo, and a potato is amazing. It inserts just enough humor and playfulness into the book that it feels well balanced and perfect for sharing. A wonderful must-have for those learning about emotions and those sad moments.
4. Maya
by Mahak Jain
illustrated by Elly MacKay
This is dreamy story about a little girl and her mother waiting out a black out. Maya is afraid of the dark and it was always her father who made her feel safe. In his place, her mother tells her a story full of animals and darkness and surprises. I love the line “It had been scary at first, but by the end the story was wonderful.” Such a beautiful message for darkness, fears and life. While this book isn’t about death directly, there are undertones of how to carry on at the hardest times when you feel loss in your life.
5. That’s Me Loving You
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
illustrated by Teagan White
This book breaks my heart as a mom, but it is beautiful. Written by Rosenthal before her all-too-soon death from cancer, it is a beautiful message from a parent. It could be read aloud to children to talk about any separation from a parent, but it also works when talking to a child about the loss of a loved one.
6. The Rough Patch
by Brian Lies
Oh gosh does this tug at your heart strings. Evan and his dog do everything together. They favorite thing it tending Evan’s garden. Until one day his dog dies and life just isn’t the same. Death and loss and big feelings are dealt with so artfully and skillfully and tenderly in this beautiful book about love and friendship and loss and healing.
7. Dance Like a Leaf
by AJ Irving and Claudia Navarro
I was taken by surprise by this story. The cover is so beautiful and brilliant like a Fall day and while that beauty continues throughout the book, the story takes a sad turn when the Grandmother passes away. It is a gentle discussion of loss nested in the changing of seasons. The ending is full of heart and love for the loss of someone. It is wonderful message for a child who has lost a grandparent about how we can remember them through our actions.
8. Out to Sea
by Helen Kellock
Stunning illustrations draw you into this beautiful, yet mournful book about loss. A little girl has lost her grandmother and a sleepless night turns into an adventure at sea as she rides her tears out into the ocean and discovers she is not alone. It’s a beautiful book full of symbolism and warmth, despite the difficult topic. My favorite parts are the gorgeous watercolor illustrations full of ocean life and the flowing movement of the sea.
9. The Boy and the Gorilla
by Jackie Azua Kramer
illustrated by Cindy Derby
This is a heartbreaking and beautiful book about a little boy who has lost his mother. An imaginary gorilla tries to answer the boy’s many questions as he attempts to talk through his pain. The illustrations are dreamy and moving.
10. Sora’s Seashells
by Helena Ku Rhee
illustrations by Stella Lim with Ji-Hyuk Kim
SORA’S SEASHELLS is as much a story of a little girl who loves to collect shells at the beach with her grandmother in the summer when she visits from South Korea. Rhee has carefully woven together a story about their relationship, loss of a grandparent, the joy of giving, and a small glimpse into what it feels like to be a minority in an American classroom. The layers are thoughtfully intertwined and emphasized by the luminous watercolor artwork. A wonderful story about loss and kindness.
