We all strive to do the best we can by “our” kids, and I’ve noticed many requests for grief counseling resources for children recently. I’ve been deeply impacted by students who died and children who experienced the death of loved ones. As I write this, I picture you on the other side of the screen nodding in agreement. I believe this is a universal connection we share. And if you’re new to the counseling field, someday, unfortunately, you’ll know what I mean in a different way.
Grief counseling resources for kids are the ones that we hate to use. The last thing anyone wants is to scramble looking for books and materials when a grief book or resource is needed. To save you a step, I’ve compiled some favorites, in no particular order:
Creative Interventions for Bereaved Children
Sometimes I think in counseling there’s this idea that it’s all talk, talk, talk.
I love this resource because it provides a ton of engaging activities and games to use with children. Incorporating play-based counseling games and activities honors the culture of childhood and allows children to process grief in a developmentally appropriate manner.
The Memory Box: A Book About Grief
The Memory Box does a fantastic job of highlighting some questions and emotions children face following a death, specifically being afraid that the loved one will be forgotten.
It sets the stage for creating a memory box with children and ensures they clearly understand the purpose of the activity. There is no mention of any specific faith or religion, and the beautiful illustrations are a bonus.
Grief Workbook
Why I Love It - Well, this is a little awkward. I created it. I’ve had many grieving students over my career, and I was searching constantly for resources that would meet their needs. I found that some students really needed to have their emotions validated and their grief process normalized.
When I couldn’t find what I needed, I made it. I took what I verbalized and made it more concrete and tangible by putting it down on paper. I also wanted something that other counselors could customize, as every grief journey is unique.
Always and Forever
I found this one during a school book fair. I enjoy it because it hints at the seasonal and cyclical nature of death and grief.
The story illustrates how multiple characters are experiencing grief following the death of their friend. Eventually, the animals all come together to honor their friend. I love how it shows children that there can be joy following grief.
I Miss You
This is a great book for younger children as it does a nice job of explaining death in concrete terms and grieving in a culturally sensitive manner.
It breaks down adult language and terms related to death and grief while guiding the reader through what happens after a death. I Miss You explicitly acknowledges different belief systems without going into religious or cultural specifics.
Sesame Street: When Families Grieve Toolkit
Sesame Street has a magical way of taking difficult topics and making them comfortable and accessible for children. It provides excellent guidance for families navigating grief, with an emphasis on validating emotions. The storybook, featuring popular characters from the show, gives wonderful examples of how children can remember a loved one. As a bonus, the resource also comes in Spanish.
The Goodbye Book
Todd Parr has a gift for reaching children with his messages and illustrations. This story is simple and never explicitly states that anyone has died. It’s fair for the reader to assume that there is a death due to the illustrations (a frowning goldfish is alone in a fishbowl, and other images show that there used to be 2 fish), but the generalized nature of the story & emphasis on emotions make it a book that could be flexible to other types of goodbyes that children experience.
The Invisible String
The Invisible String is a comforting story to many, regardless of age. It explains that people are always connected to those they love, even when they aren’t physically present, by an invisible string.
I have found that students enjoy carrying an actual string to represent the story, giving them a tangible reminder of the message. This book also works well for children struggling with family separations or separation anxiety. Notably, the book mentions heaven in response to a character's question.
Bug in a Vacuum
This story follows a fly that gets stuck in a vacuum and takes the reader through the five stages of grief, as described by the Kübler-Ross model. It’s not a book I’d use with young children, as they are unlikely to understand the metaphor. That being said, when kids do get it, the animated illustrations bring a bit of humor to the grief process.
Confident Counselors 75 Free Counseling Resources
Who has time to search for resources? This collection provides excellent model policies for grief responses, developmental guides, letter templates, and more. Having the links in one spot makes it easy to find when the moment comes & you find yourself needing grief-related psychoeducation.
Most Importantly ...
Grief counseling resources can give us a lot of different avenues to process grief with kids. I’ve learned so much by listening to children as they traveled their grief journey, and I’m honored to use the gifts and lessons they gave me to help others.
My biggest takeaways have been the importance of simple moments and experiences with those we love: waiting for the bus, playing hide-and-seek in the house, and seeing that special person on the sidelines of a game. Regardless of how many grief-counseling resources for children you have on your bookshelf, what I want you to remember, more than anything, is that the most important thing you can give your students is your presence.
What's your favorite Resource to support a bereaved child?
Share yours below!
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Grief Workbook for Kids & Teens
Grief Workbook for Kids & Teens
