Losing one’s pet is tough – be it children or adults. Thankfully there are ample helpful children’s books about pets dying and process the grief afterward in a healthy way.
The topics range includes starting with the goodbyes one needs to say before death, explaining the cycle of life, learning to understand that a pet stays in one’s heart forever, to helpful memory journals.
The books are written for the age groups of toddlers to tweens in mind.
Check the list below to help your little one process the death of his or her beloved pet.
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Children’s books about Pets dying – Toddlers to Beginner Readers
The Invisible Leash: A Story Celebrating Love After the Loss of a Pet
Patrice Karst, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
What happens when one’s pet dies? An Invisible Leash connects our hearts to that of the pet – Emily, Zacks friend, explains to him after his beloved pet dies. As Zack goes on with his life, slowly he starts believing in the Invisible Leash. And the healing process starts. A wonderful self-healing story – written in easy language for elementary students. Check here on Amazon.
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My Pet Memory Book: To Help A Child Through The Loss Of Their Pet
S Wallace and Pinfold Publishing
This is a memory book a child can create after the loss of his or her beloved pet. With 22 blank pages for children to fill with words and pictures, photos – this book can be a wonderful memory book for children to look back.
With sections as – My Pet’s favorite things, food, silly times, naughtiest things my pet did – the children would remember the wonderful times they spent with their pet. The last section – Why My Pet Wouldn’t Want Me To Be Sad – makes the child think and helps process grief. An excellent book loved by parents and children. Check here on Amazon
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Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children
Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
Everything has a beginning and an end. This book Lifetimes explains life and death in a sensitive, caring, child-friendly way. The book is non-religious without any mention of heaven or God, only facts. A beautiful gift for any young child – toddler to teens – to help understand the death of any near one – be it pet or family. Check here on Amazon.
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The Goodbye Book
Todd Parr
A helpful book for children, for saying goodbye after the loss of a pet. Written for children aged 3 to 6 years old – this book keeps it simple and does not touch upon the subject of what happens after death. A relatable story about a pet fish that lost its companion. The book teaches that one may not have all the answers after the death of a beloved one, and it is ok. Check here on Amazon.
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Always Remember
Cece Meng , Jago
A non-religious book to process the grief of a beloved, without any mention of heaven. A beautiful and healing picture book about death. The texts are simple enough even for elementary kids. In this story – after Old Turtle dies, his friends remember him through all the wonderful times they shared. It is a realization that our beloved ones live in our heart forever. Check here on Amazon.
//Also check out: Master list of children’s books about pets
Children’s books about Pets dying – Tweens
I’ll Always Love You
Hans Wilhelm
This book is a recommended read before a pet passes away. Throughout the story, the author highlights the importance of saying goodbye and kind words to one’s pet. A sweet goodbye book for toddlers and beyond to prepare for the death of a pet. Check here on Amazon.
Memories of You: Pet Memory Book
Erainna Winnett
This memory book is designed for pet grieving tweens. With more than 30 activities designed to process grief – this book includes valuable exercises like – how to respond to unhelpful statements from others and plan a special service to remember the pet. The drawings and writings act as therapy for the young ones. A helpful and practical book to cope with the loss of a pet. Check here on Amazon.
A Rainbow Bridge for Gus: A Story about the Loss of a Pet
Barbara Bareis Rigabar, Chris Sharp
While out on a bike ride with her dad, Gracie sees a beautiful rainbow in the sky. It reminds her of her pet, Gus, who passed away recently. The pair stop at one of Gus’s favorite spot and remembers the beautiful time spent together.
A word of caution for the non-religious – this book mentions heaven. Check here on Amazon
I Miss My Pet: A First Look at When a Pet Dies
Pat Thomas ,Lesley Harker
As your pet dies, you feel sad. And that is absolutely OK and normal. Sadness is the first step in the process of emotional healing. Written by an experienced psychotherapist and counselor, this book encourages positive interactions between children, parents, teachers after one’s loss. the words a complimented by thoughtful illustrations. Two pages How to Use This Book section provides valuable tools for parents and teachers to help children process the death of a beloved. Check here on Amazon.
