10+ Best Bereavement Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Understanding loss can be incredibly challenging for little ones, and finding the right words to help them can be just as tough for caregivers. Bereavement books for 3-year-olds can be a gentle and effective way to aid in this delicate conversation. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, or educator, these carefully selected books are designed to help toddlers process their feelings and start healing. Keep reading to discover various lists of bereavement books for 3-year-olds that can support you in guiding them through their grief.

Fun Bereavement Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of a fish dealing with loss, using simple language and colorful pictures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the feelings surrounding saying goodbye in a very gentle, understandable way, making it easier for young children to grasp the concept of loss.
  • Perfect for: Young children experiencing loss for the first time.

• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A heartwarming story that describes an invisible string connecting loved ones, which means you're never alone.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides comfort and reassurance to children dealing with separation or loss, emphasizing that they are always connected to their loved ones.
  • Perfect for: Children who need reassurance of their connection to absent loved ones.

• I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas, illustrated by Leslie Harker
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explains death in a straightforward and accessible way, helping children understand what it means when someone dies.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps demystify death and encourages children to share their feelings about loss.
  • Perfect for: Children who are curious about the concept of death and need clear, simple explanations.

• Always and Forever by Alan Durant, illustrated by Debi Gliori
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story deals with a group of forest animals coping with their friend's death and learning how to remember him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of memory and healing after loss, presented in a tender and caring way.
  • Perfect for: Children needing comfort and understanding after the loss of a loved one.

• Where Are You? A Child’s Book About Loss by Laura Olivieri
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Self-help
  • Synopsis: A young child asks questions about a loved one who has died, exploring feelings of grief in a simple, heartfelt way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps address the questions young children might have about death and loss, providing them with comfort and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to ask questions about loss and need gentle answers.

Educational Bereavement Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler’s Guide to Understanding Death by Bonnie Zucker, illustrated by Kim Fleming
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book gently explains death to very young children in a clear and sensitive way, using language that is appropriate for their age level.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of death, emotional expression, coping skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's specifically tailored for toddlers, helping them to grasp the concept of death without overwhelming them.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who have experienced a loss and need a gentle introduction to the concept of death.

• Goodbye Mousie by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Jan Ormerod
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A boy wakes up to find his pet mouse has died, and through the story, he comes to understand and accept his pet's death.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional awareness, acceptance of loss, understanding pet death
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the death of a pet, which can be a child's first encounter with death, in a very direct but comforting way.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are dealing with the death of a pet.

• The Scar by Charlotte Moundlic, illustrated by Olivier Tallec
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young boy deals with the death of his mother and his subsequent emotions, finding a way to keep his memories of her alive.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional resilience, memory cherishing, grief management
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores the painful loss of a parent but also shows a child finding strength and comfort in memories.
  • Perfect for: Children who have lost a parent and are navigating their grief.

• No Matter What by Debi Gliori
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A small fox named Small worries about whether its parent, Large, will always love it, even after death.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of unconditional love, emotional security, dealing with fears about loss
  • Why we recommend this book: It reassures children about the enduring nature of love, even in the face of loss.
  • Perfect for: Young children needing reassurance about the permanence of love, despite loss.

• Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie, illustrated by Robert Ingpen
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This book explains the lifecycle in a simple, beautiful way, showing that death is a natural part of life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of life cycles, natural acceptance of death, ecological awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comforting explanation of death as a normal, natural part of life.
  • Perfect for: Children who need a gentle explanation of the life cycle and death.

Challenging Bereavement Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Water Bugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children by Doris Stickney, illustrated by Robyn Henderson Nordstrom
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Using the analogy of water bugs transforming into dragonflies, this book helps explain the concept of death to children.
  • Why this book is challenging: The metaphor of transformation used in the book introduces abstract concepts that are more complex for young minds to grasp.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a soothing, hopeful perspective on death that can help alleviate fears by presenting it as a transition rather than an end.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are trying to understand the concept of death and need a comforting explanation.

• The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A girl locks away her heart to avoid feeling pain after losing someone she loves, and learns about the importance of staying open to emotions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex emotions like grief and detachment in a metaphorical way that requires abstract thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively addresses the emotional shutdown that can follow loss and the importance of emotional expression.
  • Perfect for: Children who are dealing with grief and might be closing off their feelings.

• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Erik Blegvad
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A boy comes up with ten good things to say about his beloved cat Barney at his funeral, which helps him deal with his grief.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages young readers to think critically and reflectively about loss, which is a higher-level cognitive skill.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children find a positive way to remember loved ones and process their feelings of loss.
  • Perfect for: Children who have lost a pet or a loved one and are learning how to cope with bereavement.

• Grandad's Island by Benji Davies
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: After his grandad passes away, a boy imagines a journey to a magical island where his grandad is happy and at peace.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative uses symbolism and allegory to discuss death, which are sophisticated literary techniques for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a gentle and imaginative way of looking at death, focusing on peace and happiness rather than loss.
  • Perfect for: Children who have lost a grandparent or another elderly relative and need a comforting way to imagine their ongoing journey.

• Missing Mommy: A Book About Bereavement by Rebecca Cobb
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young child grapples with the death of their mother, expressing feelings of sadness, confusion, and fear about the future.
  • Why this book is challenging: It directly tackles the difficult emotions associated with the death of a parent, which is a profound topic for a young child.
  • Why we recommend this book: It honestly and tenderly addresses the harsh reality of losing a parent, helping children to express and understand their own grief.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are mourning the loss of a parent and need support in navigating their emotions.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

When it comes to helping 3-year-olds understand and process their feelings about loss, bereavement books can be a gentle and effective tool. To enhance the experience, pairing reading with engaging exercises can help cement reading habits and comprehension. Here are some exercises tailored for young readers:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Browse through the book looking at pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Helps the child to predict the story and connect visually with the emotions depicted.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to engage the child’s imagination and anticipation.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Read a sentence or passage and then have the child repeat it back to you.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and understanding, and helps with language development.
  • Tips: Keep it fun and praise efforts to encourage participation.

• Story Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using simple props or costumes.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the story and helps children express emotions.
  • Tips: Let the child choose their role and direct portions of the play to boost creativity.

• Draw the Story
  • What it is: After reading, the child draws scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages artistic expression and helps solidify memory of the story.
  • Tips: Display the drawings prominently to show their efforts are valued.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Create a simple map of the story’s events with drawings or pictures.
  • How it helps: Helps with sequence understanding and recall of major plot points.
  • Tips: Use large paper and colorful markers to make the activity visually stimulating.

Using these exercises can make reading sessions more interactive and enriching for both you and your child. Not only do they build foundational skills for reading, but they also provide a supportive way to explore difficult emotions through stories. Happy reading and exploring together!