Any suggestions for a book for five year old DS about death and dying?

[MrsJamesMartin]

We have had a recent family bereavement which has caused lots of anxiety for DS.

He isn't grieving as he did not know the person who died but he is seeing upset within the family , of course.

He talks daily about death and dying, for example, why do we have to die? How old are people when they die? Does it hurt?

He recognises that death makes those left behind sad and upset and is obviously anxious about the death of someone close to him happening.

The death was unexpected and traumatic so I guess this is making it worse .

Try this website Good Books for Tough Times.

I was going to suggest Michael Rosen's Sad Book but it is on that website although that is more about the grieving aspect of things. I would think Emma Chichester Clark's book would be good as her books are really gentle but with a solid core

The gift by Carol Ann Duffy
Always and forever by Debi Gliori - Good for remembering good things of person who died

heart in the bottle

Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley

I haven't seen this myself but have put it on my Amazon wishlist on the strength of Patrick Ness's recommendation in Time Out and Meg Rosoff in the Guardian.
Duck Death and the Tulip (by the Little Mole who thought etc guy)
www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/dec/19/wolf-erlbruch-children-picturebook-review

Always and Forever, and Death, Duck and The Tulip are both lovely. Both are quite neutral in terms of religion. Always and Forever focuses more on how the people left behind react and grieve. The challenge for me with both books is getting to the end without wailing like a good 'un.

I've used this one a lot in class with younger children.
www.amazon.co.uk/Waterbugs-Dragonflies-Explaining-Death-Children/dp/082981180X

The Lonely Tree, can't remember who by but mine found it helped.