Grief is a thing with feathers - what age

[Somerandomerontheinternet]

My son is 10 and very upset about my parents cat dying last week - he burst into tears at school today. This is his first experience of death so it’s sparked thoughts about his grandparents dying (my dad is 90 and they are close) and his own pet cat who he takes care of and plays with every day.

We were chatting earlier and said we could maybe look at some books together. I found the ‘sad book’ by Michael Rosen but he googled a review of “Grief is a thing with feathers” and said he liked the sound of it. Has anybody read this and know if it’s appropriate for children? Any other fiction or gentle books people might recommend. He’s a lovely little soul and likes to work things through.

I don't know that book, but if you are a Christian then Water bugs and Dragonflies is good.

Badger’s Parting Gifts is lovely but might be a bit young, my son who was 10 at the time did find it comforting when our cat died

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/sep/18/grief-is-the-thing-with-feathers-by-max-porter-review-

I haven't read it but I think Grief is a Thing with Feathers is very adult OP. I believe it's written from the point of view of a father left to bring up two little boys after his wife's death. I'm not sure how appropriate that would be.

My kids liked Badger's Parting Gift too. It has a positive message about leaving precious memories behind.

I think it would be much too old for him, sorry, and it's about two boys losing their mum, so it might add to his concerns about loss. I read it a few years ago after my dad died and didn't find it comforting at all.

Thanks very much everyone for confirming. I will look at Badgers parting gift, it sounds helpful. Thanks to everyone who responded.

No I don't think so.

Skellig by David Almond might be just right. Possibly A monster calls but read it yourself first.