SJPL Picks: Tough Topics - Loss and Grief | San José Public Library

The Laugh

by Evans, Fay

Book - 2023

A little girl loves her mother's laugh, but after her mother dies, she fears she will never hear the laugh again. A little girl loves her mother's laugh, but after her mother dies, she fears she will never hear the laugh again. Show less

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An Ofrenda for Perro

by Valdés B., Judith

Book - 2023

Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the f...Show more Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the flores de cempasuchil, candles, pan de muertos, photographs, and sharing memories of departed loved ones. By creating his own special altar for Perro Show less

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Goodbye, Balloon

by Ciccio, Adam

Book - 2023

Letting go and loss can be difficult to comprehend. Goodbye Balloon will help you understand these emotions and give you insights to deal with them. Letting go and loss can be difficult to comprehend. Goodbye Balloon will help you understand these emotions and give you insights to deal with them. Show less

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Good-bye, Bear

by Chapman, Jane

Book - 2022

Bear died on a Friday, while sunlight speckled the grass and caterpillars nibbled leaves in the forest. Beaver and Mole, two of Bear's friends, return som...Show more Bear died on a Friday, while sunlight speckled the grass and caterpillars nibbled leaves in the forest. Beaver and Mole, two of Bear's friends, return some of bear's belongings to his tree house, not quite understanding why their friend is no longer with them. Show less

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Dadaji's Paintbrush

by Sirdeshpande, Rashmi

Book - 2022

Once, in a tiny village in India, there was a young boy who loved to paint. He lived with his grandfather, who taught him to paint with his fingers, to ma...Show more Once, in a tiny village in India, there was a young boy who loved to paint. He lived with his grandfather, who taught him to paint with his fingers, to make paints from marigolds and brushes made from jasmine flowers. Sometimes, the village children would watch them painting together, and the boy's grandfather would invite them to join in. They didn't have much, but they had each other. Show less

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The Tunnel

by Howden, Sarah

Book - 2022

After something bad happens, a child has trouble connecting with those around him. His loved ones try to reach out and talk to him, but he only feels like running away. After something bad happens, a child has trouble connecting with those around him. His loved ones try to reach out and talk to him, but he only feels like running away. Show less

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Bear Island

by Cordell, Matthew

Book - 2021

Louise and her family are sad over the loss of their beloved dog, Charlie. "Life will not be the same," Louise says, as she visits a little isla...Show more Louise and her family are sad over the loss of their beloved dog, Charlie. "Life will not be the same," Louise says, as she visits a little island that Charlie loved. But on a visit to the island after Charlie's death, something strange happens: She meets a bear. At first, she's afraid, but soon she realizes that the bear is sad, too Show less

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With A Butterfly's Wings

by López Ávila, Pilar

Book - 2021

A grandmother and her granddaughter explore together the secrets of nature and forge a bond that will live out forever. With Butterfly's Wings is a tender...Show more A grandmother and her granddaughter explore together the secrets of nature and forge a bond that will live out forever. With Butterfly's Wings is a tender story about a girl who loses her beloved grandmother finds comfort in remembering her through what she learned from her. Show less

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Where Lily Isn't

by Paschkis, Julie

Book - 2020

Lily ran and jumped and barked and whimpered and growled and wiggled and wagged and licked and snuggled. But not now. It is hard to lose a pet. There is s...Show more Lily ran and jumped and barked and whimpered and growled and wiggled and wagged and licked and snuggled. But not now. It is hard to lose a pet. There is sadness, but also hope--for a beloved pet lives on in your heart, your memory, and your imagination Show less

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I Miss My Grandpa

by Xiaojing, Jin

Book - 2019

Also available as an eBook. A child asks different family members about her late grandfather and learns of his characteristics through the features he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Also available as an eBook. A child asks different family members about her late grandfather and learns of his characteristics through the features he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Show less

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Ladder to the Moon

by Soetoro-Ng, Maya

Book - 2011

Available as an eBook. Also available in Spanish, as a print book and eBook. Suhaila's wish to know her deceased grandmother is granted when a golden ladd...Show more Available as an eBook. Also available in Spanish, as a print book and eBook. Suhaila's wish to know her deceased grandmother is granted when a golden ladder appears at her window and Grandma Annie invites her on a journey to the Moon, where they welcome people who are facing tragedy. Includes facts about the painting and woman who inspired the story. Show less

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Lifetimes

A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children

by Mellonie, Bryan

Book - 1983

"Lets us explain life and death in a sensitive, caring, beautiful way. Tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between. Wit...Show more "Lets us explain life and death in a sensitive, caring, beautiful way. Tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between. With large, wonderful illustrations, it tells about plants. About animals. About people. It tells that dying is as much a part of living as being born. It helps us to remember. It helps us to understand"--From the Publisher. Show less

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When Dinosaurs Die

A Guide to Understanding Death

by Brown, Laurene Krasny

Book - 1996

Explains in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died. Explains in simple language the feelings people may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to honor the memory of someone who has died. Show less

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Big Cat, Little Cat

by Cooper, Elisha

Book - 2017

Also available as an eBook. A simply illustrated explanation of the circle of life and death. Also available as an eBook. A simply illustrated explanation of the circle of life and death. Show less

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Saying Goodbye to Lulu

by Demas, Corinne

Book - 2004

When her dog Lulu dies, a girl grieves but then continues with her life. When her dog Lulu dies, a girl grieves but then continues with her life. Show less

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Ida, Always

by Levis, Caron

Book - 2016

A polar bear grieves over the loss of his companion, based on the real-life Gus and Ida of New York's Central Park Zoo. A polar bear grieves over the loss of his companion, based on the real-life Gus and Ida of New York's Central Park Zoo. Show less

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Missing Mommy

by Cobb, Rebecca

Book - 2013

The story of a young boy who is grieving the death of his mother, as his father helps him through the many emotions he feels in his grief. The story of a young boy who is grieving the death of his mother, as his father helps him through the many emotions he feels in his grief. Show less

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The Dead Bird

by Brown, Margaret Wise

Book - 2016

When they find a dead bird, a group of children bury it in the woods, sing a song to it, and put flowers on the grave. When they find a dead bird, a group of children bury it in the woods, sing a song to it, and put flowers on the grave. Show less

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The Heart and the Bottle

by Jeffers, Oliver

Book - 2010

After safeguarding her heart in a bottle hung around her neck, a girl finds the bottle growing heavier and her interest in things around her becoming smaller. After safeguarding her heart in a bottle hung around her neck, a girl finds the bottle growing heavier and her interest in things around her becoming smaller. Show less

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Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You

My Love Will Find You

by Tillman, Nancy

Book - 2010

Children feel the reassuring love of their parents no matter where they go or what they do. Children feel the reassuring love of their parents no matter where they go or what they do. Show less

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Nana Vieja

by Wild, Margaret

Book - 2000

En Espanol solamente/In Spanish only. Cuando Nana Vieja se da cuenta de que llega su hora de morir, arregla sus asuntos y camina lentamente por el pueblo ...Show more En Espanol solamente/In Spanish only. Cuando Nana Vieja se da cuenta de que llega su hora de morir, arregla sus asuntos y camina lentamente por el pueblo con su nieta Chanchita para ver su belleza una vez más. / Because Old Pig knows that her time to die is near, she puts her affairs in order and takes a slow walk with Granddaughter to savor the beauty for one last time. Show less

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Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories

by Penn, Audrey

Book - 2009

After his mother explains why his classmate is not returning to school, she teaches Chester Raccoon how to make a memory. After his mother explains why his classmate is not returning to school, she teaches Chester Raccoon how to make a memory. Show less

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The Goodbye Book

by Parr, Todd

Book - 2015

Illustrations and brief text relate how a person might feel when they lose someone they love. Illustrations and brief text relate how a person might feel when they lose someone they love. Show less

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Always and Forever

by Durant, Alan

Book - 2004

A family of forest animals learns to cope with the death of a loved one. A family of forest animals learns to cope with the death of a loved one. Show less

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And So It Goes

by Valdivia, Paloma

Book - 2017

Explores the way that some people leave the world and others come into it, and how those who come into it eventually leave it. Explores the way that some people leave the world and others come into it, and how those who come into it eventually leave it. Show less

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SJPL Picks: Tough Topics - Loss and Grief

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