A book about grief for 3-4 year old

[oberst]

My niece is going to be 4 in August, she's very clever and switched on. Her dad (bil) died suddenly last weekend and we are wondering if anyone can recommend a book for her or for SIL to read to her?

Thank you.

The Invisible String is lovely

So sorry for your loss
We had Grandad's island and badger's parting gift for my kids when my dad died

I am so very sorry for your loss. I can across this book recently and it's so beautifully done 💔

Badger's parting gift is beautiful but is more for the loss of an older person at the end of their life..

The Invisible String is lovely and my absolute favourite is The Day the Sea went out and never came back. It helps me as an adult even, it is wonderful. However it is very very raw and new so I'd be very slow with any of this as yet (I'm a play therapist). Rabbityness is another nice one.

I'm sorry for this sad and sudden loss.

I also know Michael Rosen's Sad Book has been very well received. Maybe slightly older than four but perhaps some bits of it might be useful

This is a lovely book about the grieving process thats good for little ones.

The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back: A Story for Children Who Have Lost Someone They Love (Helping Children with Feelings) https://amzn.eu/d/e5Y8tQo

I recommend dragonflies and water bugs. I used it with my children when their papa died. It has a good way of explaining things in a way children can relate to.

Recommending the charity https://www.winstonswish.org/ for advice, support and resources. They offer counselling and a helpline too.

Oh yes, this is also wonderful.

I came here to recommend this. When my brother died this place helped so much. My youngest sister was only 6 at the time and they sent us a wonderful book to work through with her. She's 16 now and still has it.

Paper dolls by Julia Donaldson isn't directly about grief but touches on it, and memory, including the loss of a grandparent

https://www.littleparachutes.com/category/issues/death-bereavement/

Oliver Jeffers’ the heart and the bottle is good.

Thank you. Yes. I think it might be a little too soon but I thought we'd get a couple together for when the time comes. It's all very sad. X

This one is nice and simple for younger children. Poor love ❤️

Hi OP. My daughter lost her dad suddenly at a similar age. I highly recommend Is Daddy Coming Back In A Minute? for these specific circumstances.

Daddy's Rainbow is also excellent but about an expected death.

Thank you everyone. Really appreciate it x

Cry, Heart, But Never Break. By Glenn Ringtved.
It's aimed at age 4-8 really so depends if your niece is a young or old 4.

Sadly I can personally also recommend Winston's Wish. Books are useful (and I recommend both the Invisible String and The Day the Sea went out) but their website has some activities for children to help their understanding of what death means and to support them to process and express their emotions.

Many areas in the UK also have local child bereavement charities. Locally I have a named contact I can call when I am not sure how to support my child. They talk me through ideas and activities to support my childs emotional responses to grief, for example, separation anxiety or anger. It's been an invaluable source of help and support to me.

I am sorry for your loss and wish you strength for the journey ahead.

Badgers parting gift and invisible string

So sorry for the loss.

When my mum died suddenly we got invisible string for my children.
The charity winstons wish might have ideas.

Mark Lemon who's Dad was murdered has written books for children about grief.

Also I can't think of where we got it from but it was books on sudden death. It was a charity and we had to buy some of the books but they had things on helping young children. Hope this helps.

Hello there. I'm very sorry to hear of your brother in law. In case it's of help, we're a grief support charity, and we regularly write about books for grief here 👉 https://thelossfoundation.org/books-for-grief/ On this page is a list of books suitable for children. I hope it's of some support.