How do you explain loss to a child? The books on this page help children understand or relate to loss including a death by suicide.
Do you tell a child that their parent, sibling, or other loved one has died by suicide? The answer is yes but actually telling them in an age-appropriate way is difficult. The book below has those scripts to guide you in that conversation.
Spanish translated books at the bottom of the page.
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Children, Teens & Suicide Loss by AFSP and Dougy Center
Free. Online as a pdf. I also have copies and it’s an excellent guide to answer, “What do I tell the children?” It has age-appropriate scripts and examples for children as young as three. What is appropriate to tell children and teens of any age how to explain suicide. It truly holds your hand in what to say. This is an ideal guide to take to a family who has just suffered the loss of a family member to suicide. (You can print out the pages that match the age of the children.) For a physical copy of the book, call your local chapter of AFSP, American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
After a Suicide: An Activity Book for Grieving Kids Paperback, November 4, 2014- An activity book by the Dougy Center for Grieving Children.
This is a hands-on, interactive activity book for children who have been exposed to a suicide death so they can learn from other grieving kids. The activity book includes drawing activities, puzzles, stories, advice from other kids, and helpful suggestions for how to navigate the grief process after a suicide death
The Sad Dragon: A Dragon Book About Grief and Loss. For young readers.
A Cute Children Story To Help Kids Understand The Loss Of A Loved One, and How To Get Through Difficult Time. (My Dragon Books)
Someone I Love Died by Suicide: A Story for Child Survivors and Those Who Care for Them
This book is designed for adult caregivers to read to surviving youngsters following a suicidal death. The story allows individuals an opportunity to recognize normal grieving symptoms and to identify various interventions to promote healthy ways of coping with the death of a special person. Although the language used in the book is simplistic enough to be read along with children and ultimately stimulating family discussion, it can be beneficial to all who have been tragically devastated by suicide. It is recommended for this book to be utilized in conjunction with therapy.
The Invisible String, by Little Brown for young readers
This accessible, bestselling picture book about the unbreakable connections between loved ones has healed a generation of readers–children and adults alike–and has been updated with new illustrations and an afterword from the author.
The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm, and Connect. For young readers
El hilo invisible (Álbumes) (Spanish Edition)
https://amzn.to/3tsulL2
¡Nada más aterrador que una tormenta nocturna! Liza y Jeremy corren al lado de su madre cuando un terrible trueno los despierta. Pero ella tiene palabras para tranquilizarlos: les explica que existe un hilo invisible hecho de amor que une a las personas que se quieren. Este hilo conecta a los hijos con sus padres, y también con sus mejores amigos. ¿Pero qué tan lejos puede llegar ese hilo? Mamá explica que irá hasta donde esté la persona amada. ¿Incluso hasta el espacio? Sí. Incluso hasta el espacio.
More books on helping children with grief and/or suicide loss
