not if but when
books for young people about death and loss
what we do
encourage and support sharing good books and stories about death and loss with children and teens
throughout their lives
not if but when
Death is a natural part of our time on earth together. Each of us will lose people important to us, and each of us will die. The question is not if, but when.
young people need help
Children and teens facing the loss of friends and family, or their own mortality, need help navigating the emotional, physical, and practical upheavals and restorations that are part of the natural process. Books offer opportunities to ask questions, wonder, and simply acknowledge the realities of their circumstances.
the sooner the better
We tend to broach the subject of death with young people only after death has occurred or becomes imminent. By "protecting" children from these conversations we inadvertently prevent them from acquiring the skills and context necessary to make sense of death when it does arrive. Introducing the subject through books and stories provides a safe and comfortable context for these important conversations.
featured books
a categorized selection of books about death and lossbooks are available through the Whatcom County Library System, the Western Washington University Wilson Library, and at your local library or independent bookstore
more books for littles
by Julia Alvarez, illustrated by Sabra Field
by Leo Buscaglia
by Cecil Castellucci, illustrated by Julia Denos
by Rebecca Cobb
by Elisha Cooper
by Wolf Erlbruch
by Jeff Gottesfeld, illustrated by Peter McCarty
by Robie Harris, illustrated by Jan Ormerod
by Stian Hole
by Oliver Jeffers
by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Geoff Stevenson
by Holly McGhee, illustrated by Pascal Lemaître
by Cece Meng, illustrated by Jago
by Bárður Oskarsson
by Chris Raschka
by Glenn Ringtved, illustrated by Charlotte Pardi
by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake
by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Freya Blackwood
by Hans Wilhelm
more books for kids
by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee
by Kelly Barnhill
by Louis Bayard
by Ali Benjamin
Harvey
by Hervé Bouchard, illustrated by Janice Nadeau
by Pablo Cartaya
by Ally Condie
by Sharon Creech
by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Alix Delinois
by India Desjardins, illustrated by Pascal Blanchet
by Neil Gaiman
by Dan Gemeinhart
by Alan Gratz
by Paul Griffin
by Beth Hautala
by Polly Horvath
by Suzanne LaFleur
by Stéphanie Lapointe
by George Ella Lyon
by Sharelle Byars Moranville
by Katherine Paterson
by Sara Pennypacker
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
by Margriet Ruurs, illustrated by Nizar Ali Badr
by Cynthia Rylant
by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
by E. B. White
by Rite Williams-Garcia
by Jacqueline Woodson
more books for teens
by David Almond
by Laurie Halse Anderson
by Anne-Laure Bondoux
by Libba Bray
by Kevin Brooks
by Julie Buxbaum
by Chris Crutcher
by Ursula Dubosarsky
by Ava Dellaira
by Scot Gardner
by John Green
by Phillip Hoose
by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Gary Kelley
by Gail Jarrow
by Hannah Moskowitz
by Greg Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke
by Patrick Ness
by Marieke Nijkamp
by Jennifer Niven
by Mary Pearson
by Gavriel Savit
by Gary D. Schmidt
by Craig Silvey
by Laura Rose Wagner
by Jesper Wung-Sung
by Markus Zusak
presentations
we engage with educators, librarians, parents, healthcare workers, clergy, and other community members dedicated to young people's comfort and integrity
Ferndale Public Library, Ferndale, WA
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
nErDcamp Bellingham
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Woodring College of Education, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Department of Social and Human Services, Bellingham, WA
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Burlington Public Library, Burlington, WA
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Bellingham Public Library, Bellingham, WA
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Village Books, Bellingham, WA
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Bellingham Public Library, Bellingham, WA
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
additional resources
we recommend these agencies for further assistance and support
Our TreeHouse
Our TreeHouse provides a safe environment where children and their families grieving a death can share their experiences and help them heal. www.our-treehouse.org
Camp Killoqua’s Camp Willie
A Grief Camp for Children in grades 2-12
This camp for children who have lost someone they love provides children with the additional support they need to get through through the isolation often associated with grief. www.campfiresnoco.org/camp/grief-camp/The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
A national institute serving young people in trauma
The mission of the NCTSN is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. http://www.nctsn.org
nibw team
we are dedicated to meaningful considerations of grief, mourning, and peace through literature
Marie Eaton is the former Dean of Western Washington University's Fairhaven College and currently serves as Director of the Palliative Care Institute.
Sylvia is a Librarian and Associate Professor at Western Washington University where she is founding curator of PoetryCHaT, a comprehensive collection of poetry for children and teens.
Thom is the Youth Services Manager at the Whatcom County Library System where he oversees collections, programs, and services for children and teens.
give us a hand
let us know about your favorite books that present death and loss to a young audience
© 2021