10+ Best Books About Death for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Talking to kids about loss can be tough, but books can be a gentle bridge for those difficult conversations. If you're searching for the right words to help explain, our curated list of Books About Death for 6-Year-Olds might just be the resource you need. These carefully selected books approach the subject with sensitivity and understanding, tailored specifically for young minds. Keep reading to explore various options that can offer comfort and understanding during challenging times.

Fun Books About Death for 6-Year-Olds

• The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book addresses the feelings associated with saying goodbye through the story of a fish who has lost its companion. Using simple text and vibrant illustrations, it explores the emotions of loss and healing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to the concept of loss, using minimal text and colorful illustrations that are engaging and comforting for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children dealing with any type of goodbye or loss, and those who benefit from emotional expression through simple storytelling.

• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Self-Help
  • Synopsis: This story explores the idea that we are all connected by an invisible string, which represents love and remains intact regardless of distance, time, and even death.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a comforting explanation for separation and loss that can help children feel more secure and loved, even when they are physically apart from their loved ones.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are experiencing separation anxiety or dealing with the loss of a loved one.

• I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas, illustrated by Leslie Harker
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book helps children understand what death means and how to cope with the feelings of loss, using clear and simple language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It educates children on a difficult topic in an accessible way, encouraging them to express their feelings and ask questions about death.
  • Perfect for: Children who have questions about death or are dealing with the loss of a family member or pet.

• Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie, illustrated by Robert Ingpen
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: The book explains the lifecycle of various living things, emphasizing that death is a natural part of life.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its approach to explaining death through the natural cycles of life helps demystify the concept and makes it more relatable and less frightening for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who are curious about nature and life cycles, or who need a comforting explanation of the concept of death.

• When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book does not shy away from the tough questions about death, providing clear and comprehensive explanations suitable for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles the topic of death without euphemism, providing honest answers to direct questions, which can be very helpful for children seeking clear information.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive young readers who appreciate straightforward explanations and those needing clarity on the complex issue of death.

Educational Books About Death for 6-Year-Olds

• Water Bugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children by Doris Stickney, illustrated by Robyn Henderson Nordstrom
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Religious
  • Synopsis: Using the analogy of a water bug's metamorphosis into a dragonfly, this book explains death in a way that is accessible and comforting to young children.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of life cycles, acceptance of change, religious perspectives on death
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a simple yet profound way to help children grasp the concept of death and the idea of an afterlife in a non-threatening manner.
  • Perfect for: Children looking for a gentle introduction to the concepts of death and transformation, particularly within a Christian context.

• Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler’s Guide to Understanding Death by Bonnie Zucker, illustrated by Kim Fleming
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Aimed specifically at toddlers, this book explains death in a straightforward and sensitive manner, acknowledging the emotional impact of losing someone.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, coping strategies, basic understanding of death
  • Why we recommend this book: It's specifically tailored to meet the developmental needs of toddlers, making it a unique resource for very young children experiencing loss.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who have lost a loved one and need support in understanding and processing their feelings.

• Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying by Joyce C. Mills, illustrated by Cary Pillo
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Therapeutic
  • Synopsis: This story is designed for children who may not survive their illness or who are dealing with the death of someone close. It tells the tale of a gentle willow tree and her friends in the forest.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, understanding of illness and death, emotional processing
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a compassionate story that helps children understand and cope with serious illness and death in a soothing, hopeful manner.
  • Perfect for: Children facing life-threatening illnesses or coping with the impending loss of a loved one.

• The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages by Leo Buscaglia
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: Through the life cycle of a leaf named Freddie, this story explores themes of life and death, addressing the natural and beautiful transitions all living creatures experience.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of seasons and life cycles, philosophical thinking, acceptance of life's transitions
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses the metaphor of the seasons to explain death in a poetic and accessible way, helping children understand it as a natural part of life.
  • Perfect for: Children and even adults who need a gentle and philosophical approach to understanding the cycle of life and death.

Challenging Books About Death for 6-Year-Olds

• The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A girl, curious and filled with wonder about the world, puts her heart in a bottle for safekeeping after experiencing a personal loss, only to realize that she can't experience life fully without feeling emotions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses metaphor and symbolism to discuss complex emotions related to loss and grief, which requires a deeper level of comprehension and reflection.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to understand and express their emotions, especially after a loss, and teaches the importance of staying open to feelings.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are dealing with or learning about emotional loss and the importance of emotional expression.

• Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book details the real-life feelings Michael Rosen experienced after the death of his son Eddie. It explores sadness deeply and personally, showing that it's okay to feel sad.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with real-life grief in a very direct and honest way, which can be challenging for young readers to process.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand that sadness is a part of life and that they are not alone in feeling it. The book also validates the wide range of emotions that come with losing someone close.
  • Perfect for: Children who are experiencing grief and need to understand that their feelings are normal and shared by others.

• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Erik Blegvad
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fiction
  • Synopsis: A boy comes up with ten good things to say about his cat Barney at his pet's funeral, but struggles to find the tenth until his father helps him find a comforting perspective on death.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses the emotional complexity of death and the search for meaning, which can provoke deep thought and introspection in young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a way for children to handle their grief by focusing on positive memories and finding personal significance in the continuation of the natural cycle.
  • Perfect for: Children grappling with the death of a pet or a loved one and looking for ways to cope through positive remembrance.

• Duck, Death and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: In a strangely comforting story, a duck develops a friendship with Death, who follows her around. The story explores their relationship and the naturalness of death.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents Death as a character, a concept that is abstract and philosophical, challenging young readers to think about death in a nuanced way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies death, presenting it as a natural and ever-present part of life, which can help alleviate fear and promote understanding.
  • Perfect for: Children who are curious about the concept of death and looking for a gentle, philosophical introduction to the topic.

• Always and Forever by Alan Durant, illustrated by Debi Gliori
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fiction
  • Synopsis: After Fox dies, his friends Mole, Otter, and Hare are devastated. They reminisce about their lost friend and eventually find a way to remember him joyfully and move forward.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with the process of mourning and the journey to acceptance, which involves complex emotional responses.
  • Why we recommend this book: It shows the healing power of friendship and memories in overcoming grief, providing a hopeful outlook on life after loss.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who have lost someone and need help understanding how to cherish memories while continuing to live fully.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

When introducing young children to books about sensitive topics like death, it's important to foster a nurturing environment that encourages understanding and emotional expression. Here are some engaging exercises that can help 6-year-olds develop good reading habits while exploring books about death. These activities are designed to make the reading experience both educational and comforting.

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day to read together.
  • How it helps: Creates a routine and makes reading a shared, bonding activity.
  • Tips: Choose a comfortable spot and a consistent time to read to make this a special part of the day.

• Discuss the Story
  • What it is: Talk about the book’s themes, characters, and events after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and allows children to express feelings about difficult topics.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage thoughtful responses and deeper understanding.

• Draw the Story
  • What it is: Encourage the child to draw scenes or characters from the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with retention of the story and allows expression through art.
  • Tips: Provide colorful materials and ask the child to explain their drawings to foster creativity and communication.

• Story Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out parts of the story with toys or as characters.
  • How it helps: Makes the reading experience interactive and helps with emotional and social development.
  • Tips: Let the child choose which parts to act out and which characters they want to be to increase engagement.

• Create a Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the story’s main events and characters.
  • How it helps: Aids in understanding the structure of stories and improves memory.
  • Tips: Use large paper and markers, and assist in labeling parts of the map if necessary.

• Book-Related Crafts
  • What it is: Create simple crafts related to the book’s themes or characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the book and provides a fun, creative outlet.
  • Tips: Use household items for crafts to make this activity easy and accessible.

By integrating these exercises into your reading routine, you're not just helping your child understand and cope with the themes of death in books; you're also laying the groundwork for strong reading habits that can last a lifetime. Each activity is designed to be engaging and supportive, ensuring that learning about such a profound topic is handled with care and sensitivity.