Resources for Serious Illness: Ages 3 to 6
Call 775-5216 to browse our Library.

Ackerman, Our Mom Has Cancer Abigail and Adrienne live in Maryland with their mom and day, older brother and sisters, pet dog, and rabbit.  They wanted to write and share their experience with other children.  Published by the American Cancer Association.

Asch, F. Bear Shadow This is a book about a bear and his shadow.  He tries very hard to get rid of his shadow but finally realizes that it is easier to work together.

Bond, Michael & Jankel, Karen, Paddington Bear Goes to the Hospital Oh, no!  Paddington Bear has hurt his arm, and he’s having trouble remembering just how it happened.  The Browns are worried enough to take Paddington to the hospital.  Paddington takes the trip in with curiosity and wonderment… along with a little apprehension!  Everyone helps Paddington see that the hospital isn’t as scary a place as it first seems.

Brown, L. and Brown, M. When Dinosaurs Die:  A Guide to Understanding Death    This guide helps dispel the mystery associated with death and provides answers to some of the most often asked questions, such as, “What does alive mean?” By exploring the feeling we may have regarding the death of a loved one and the ways to remember someone after he or she has died, including customs and rituals.  This book can serve as a comfort to children and families at a difficult time in their lives.

Bosak S. & McGaw L. Something to Remember Me By  A young girls relationship with her grandmother celebration of a gift of love and memories and legacies across generation.

Elffers J. & Freymann S. How are You Peeling?  Foods with Moods…This is a book th at asks all the right questions, and leaves you feeling great no matter what the answers are…

Guilfoile, E. Nobody Listens to Andrew  There’s something upstairs.  It’s in Andrew’s bed.  It’s big.  It is black.  What is it?

Hanson, Warren The Next Place  The Next Place is, above all, a celebration of life. Hear the music. Feel the warmth. And be carried away along life's everlasting flight.

London, J. & Long, S. Liplaps’s Wish Liplap’s Wish is a poignant story about love, loss, and remembrance…A wonderful, sensitive story about children’s feelings of sadness and loss after the death of a loved one…The rich color and many details in the artwork give the pictures great warmth.

Johnson, C. Harold and the Purple Crayon  An ingenious and original little picture story in which a small boy out for a walk- happily with a crayon in his hand- draws himself some wonderful adventures.

Joosse, B. Mama, Do You Love Me?  Timeless story of a child testing her limits of independences, a mom reassuring by proving that a parent’s love is forever.

Mayer, M. There is a Nightmare in My Closet A young boy has trouble going to bed one night because he sees spooky shapes and monsters inside.  How does he get over his fear?

Puttock, Simon and Bartlett, Alison A Story for Hippo A Book About Loss. Hippo is the oldest and wisest animal in the jungle, and Monkey is the funniest.  Every day, they eat cabbages and play games and tell stories.   When Hippo dies, Monkey is sad.  Who will tell him stories?  Who will laugh at his jokes?  Who will be his very best friend?

Rogers, F. When a Pet Dies Filled with warmth and reassurances. When a Pet Dies assures youngsters that no matter how badly they feel when they lose a pet, in time their hurt will ease, and they will be able to remember with fondness the happiness they shared. A book parents and children will welcome... Great pictures!

Rylant, C. Dog Heaven C. Rylant has written over forty books.  This is the first book with painted pictures.  It is simple and perfect for anyone lucky enough to have a special dog in your life, and then you know there is a dog heaven!

Rylant, C. Cat Heaven  This is the companion book to Dog Heaven.  In it are all the wonder things cats would like to have and ways they would like to be treated in Cat Heaven.

Ryder, J. The Goodbye Walk

Seuss, Dr. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Dr. Seuss in his inimitable, humorous verse and pictures addresses the Great Balancing Act (life itself, and the ups and downs it presents) while encouraging us to find the success that lies within us.

Thomas, P. I Miss You A first look at Death…This reassuring picture book explores the difficult issue of death for young children.  Children’s feelings and questions about this sensitive subject are looked at in a simple but realistic way.  This author has other books pertaining to other types of losses written for young children…

Varley, S. Badger’s Parting Gifts  Badger was dependable, reliable and always ready to help his friends. He was growing older and knew he would soon die.  He carefully thought out the varied gifts he would leave his dear friends.

Viorst, J. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day This book is about a day in the life of Alexander who wakes up to having a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and it only gets worst.

Viorst, J. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney  My cat Barney died this Friday.  I was very sad.  My mother said we could have a funeral for him and I should think of ten good things about Barney so I could tell them… but the small boy could only think of nine.  Later, while talking with his father, he discovers the tenth and begins to understand. 

Warren, P. Where Love Goes  A book about doggies and what happens when they die.  It talks about sadness and loss and the powerful use of a child’s imagination.

Winsch, J. After the Funeral  This book offers some very real help to parents, teachers, and other caring adults in dealing with the complex reactions that children have to a loss.  Its simple format encourages honest dialogue and compassionately helps children to recognize some of the raw feelings of grief-and then confront it honestly.

Wolfelt, A. How I Feel A coloring book for grieving children, oriented towards the very young.