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Nicole Fergesen

March 23, 2021

Best Books for Grieving Children

This post contains affiliate links, which means, if you click the link on my website I may make a small commission for advertising this product to you. It does not cost you more, but it helps to keep my site running. Thank you for your support!

How do children cope with loss? How can adults help them grieve well? Grief and loss as an adult is hard to manage, and is an entirely different concept for young children. Oftentimes the thought of death is just beyond comprehension for them. I was completely unprepared and unequipped when death abruptly assaulted our family. Not only had I very little first hand grief experience, my children were so young and never in the situation that needed much explanation. I discovered early on, and with the help of gifts from sweet friends, that books for grieving children was an excellent way to introduce the conversation in a way they could comprehend.

I have found that reading them books and providing literary resources helps tremendously. Hearing words from parents are one thing, but reading a book permeates the mind in a different way. Sometimes reading a child a book can give the adult the words that we can’t come up with on our own when describing very complex and heavy subjects. And when reading to the child, not only are they hearing comforting or clarifying words, but they are experiencing the quality time they need when the world feels so unsure.

I’ve mentioned before that grief is not a place you arrive at, more like something you will manage for the rest of your life. Consider investing in resources such as these to help your child understand as they grow! Their understanding of death and grief will change as their brain changes. (Read more about helping a child understand loss and insight how they may be thinking from this book).

We have built a pretty solid child grief book list so far! Each helps explain loss, grief, and heaven in a different way, and each kid prefers a different one. Keep scrolling for some of our favorite books for grieving children! Make sure you pin/save as I will continue to add to the list as our collection grows!

Shop Books for Grieving Children Here:

A Hug From Heaven by Anna Whitson-Donaldson

It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst

The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Goodbye to Goodbyes by Lauren Chandler

Sending Balloons to Heaven by Lindsey Coker Luckey

What is Heaven Like? by Beverly Lewis

Someday Heaven by Larry Libby

Shop all the books here.

Here are some other writings that might help:

The Remembering Room, where we keep all daddy’s things

Our Daddy books

Comprehending loss

Shop my outfit here.

Photos by Richard Alvarenga

The kids will turn out ok. Promise. 😉

I have mentioned this before, but consider introducing the subject of death and what happens when we die to your children before loss affects your family. It is easier for us to digest losing someone we love when we have an idea of where they are, rather that that event being the first introduction to it. Having a foundation helps build a little familiarity in a time that is so difficult and emotional.

Please consider sharing to help others who are looking for resources to help their children on their grief journey!

Did you enjoy this post? Don’t forget to subscribe here! Make sure to join the @nicolefergesen community on instagram! Follow me and shop me outfits here. Don’t miss out on updates and inspiration! You can also join my Facebook community and follow my current interests over on my Pinterest. Buy a digital copy of Marcus’ book here.

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Posted In: Babies, grief, Uncategorized · Tagged: books, books on death, books on heaven, books on loss, child books, children, death, grief, grief resources, grieving, grieving children, how to help my child grieve, library, loss, loss of a father, love, resources

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    March 24, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    Great post. It’s hard enough for adults to comprehend death. Thanks for the great references. As always, you are years wiser than your age and God has given you a beautiful calling. Blessings.

    Reply
    • Nicole Fergesen says

      March 24, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      Thank you for the support Sharon!

      Reply

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Hey There!

About Me
I am Nicole Fergesen, mama to four, new Iowan and part time New Hampshire girl. I believe in Jesus, live on coffee, and love functional fashion. I also dabble in home design and relentlessly find beauty in everything. Wife to Dustin, widow of Marcus, blending a family and finding grace in the journey.

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nicolefergesen

ICYMI- I talked on Wednesday about an exciting new ICYMI- I talked on Wednesday about an exciting new addition to the blog- a monthly newsletter and GIVEAWAY! If you want exclusive updates (not spammy, promise!) then subscribe through the link in my profile. Maybe I’ll even share what I’m pondering about gazing across the water here 😂 I’m giving away two books to a new subscriber chosen at random, a copy of Streams in the Desert and my late husband’s book, Let the Socks Lead. Giveaway ends April 14.  http://liketk.it/3cpx2 photo by @bekahlee33  #liketkit @liketoknow.it #giveaway #subscribe #youngwidow #leadership #streamsinthedesert #ootd #spring #outfit #newsletter #midwest #midwestliving #midwestblogger #iowa #iowalife #lovemylife #dreambig #grief #homeblogger #fashionblogger #griefblogger #family #loveafterloss #alifeworthliving
So you’re pregnant! Congratulations! Pregnancy i So you’re pregnant! Congratulations! Pregnancy is magical and such a gift, but there are certain realities that come with growing a human inside you. Whether this is your first pregnancy or sixth, I have rounded up some of my pregnancy favorites, items that have gotten me through the first two trimesters comfortably! Most are non maternity (read: will last beyond pregnancy!) and won’t break the bank. Bookmark this post, then go to the blog (link in profile) to see the whole list and why I chose each item! 

Also, this target dress 👌🏼 http://liketk.it/3cnBX #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKbump #LTKunder50 #LTKwedding #maternity #pregnancyfavorites #bump #bumpstyle #target #targetstyle #spring #springdress #pregnancybasics #firsttrimester #secondtrimester #pregnancy #bumpdate
Swipe for the before ➡️ We bought our home at Swipe for the before ➡️ We bought our home at the beginning of December and got right to work renovating the space! We started with simple but big impact projects like painting the hearth room and eat in kitchen area and removing allllll the tan (see my stories for a laugh!). We have a long way to go, but this was a fantastic start and brightened up the whole space! My wrists still haven’t recovered from all the painting I’ve done already 🤣
Color: Alabaster by @sherwinwilliams 
Photo: @alvarengaart 
Sources: http://liketk.it/3ckww #liketkit @liketoknow.it #home #homerenovation #reno #dreamhome #paint #targethome #target #alabaster #white #whitepaint #springprojects #sherwinwilliams #bestwhitepaint #bestwhite #mostpopularwhite #beforeandafter #dreamhome
1. My due date is four months from today 😱 And 1. My due date is four months from today 😱 And today I experienced my first mention of my pregnancy from a stranger 😆 This pregnancy is FLYING by! 
2. This Easter was the first in my life I’ve gotten a tan. Thanks, Iowa! 
3. I only just discovered I have seasonal allergies. Maybe they are a new thing for me, or I’ve never noticed. Dustin pointed it out and let me tell you, I’m not a big medicine person but allergy meds are AMAZING. 
4. The exterior siding of our home is getting painted this week! Check out my stories for some insanely beautiful progress 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
5. How many loads of laundry do you do a week on average? I think I am at about 12 😱 #familyofsix
That’s all my random thoughts for today 🤣
I linked my favorite pullover!  http://liketk.it/3ceiv #liketkit @liketoknow.it #random #laundry #allergyseason #pregnancy #bumpdate #tan #randommusings #adayinthelife #homerenovation #progress @abercrombie #smile #spring #momlife #happylife #iowalife
He is risen 🙌🏼 http://liketk.it/3c506 @dfe He is risen 🙌🏼 

http://liketk.it/3c506 @dfergesen #heisrisen #eastersunday #family #blendedfamily #chaptertwo
SMILE. Can you name three things that make you hap SMILE. Can you name three things that make you happy? We have so much to be grateful for. I’ll go first in the comments 👇🏼 

http://liketk.it/3bM0d photo by @rachelwhitephoto #thisisthegoodlife #dreambig #lifeisanadventure #liketkit @liketoknow.it  #outdoor #getoutside #kids #family #smile #happy #grateful
Don’t wait. Don’t wait to host until your hou Don’t wait. 
Don’t wait to host until your house is perfect.
Just open your home and be available. Be Inviting. Embracing. It will never feel like the perfect timing, like your house is not decorated well enough, or is clean enough to invite people in, but the memories made will supersede any hesitation. Love will work it all out. They’ll remember the conversation, the gesture, and the kindness of simply letting them enter through your threshold. 

Our home is still a construction zone and the amount of events in one month has been crazy (gender reveal, Elliott’s birthday, my birthday, Scarlett’s birthday, Easter, hosting friends from out of town, on top of the ongoing renovations). Instead of saying no, we are inviting friends into our home just the way it is. It’s chaotic, messy (literally sawdust on the ground for the gender reveal 🤣), and very imperfect, but that’s much like our life, right? We are constantly becoming better versions of ourselves. Sometimes we need to let others into the messy parts because we all have them. And that’s where the connection lies- the messy. Because we are all human, and there’s no point in pretending our lives are any more polished than they really are. Truth is, life is crazy and we are all doing the best we can!

I wrote a post (link in profile) all about our simple Easter dinner plans! I included recipes, shopping lists, tablescape ideas, and tips for hosting a stress free holiday. Is there someone you can invite over this Easter? Think of the people in your lives, and maybe there’s someone who doesn’t have a place to go. Show them the love of Jesus just by letting them in ❤️AND if you made it this far, I linked the new version of this blouse which is an all time favorite! http://liketk.it/3bEn3 and links to the tablescape http://liketk.it/3bD7j photo by @bekahlee33 #liketkit @liketoknow.it #dontwait #easter #justlove #loveothers #bethelove #showthemjesus #openthedoor #jesusisthereason #lovebig #love #eastermenu #tips #advice #midwestliving #iowablogger #midwest #midwestblogger
Here’s to year 32 🎉 thankful for the wild rid Here’s to year 32 🎉 thankful for the wild ride this past year was, and looking forward to another year of adventures, sawdust, and snuggles 🥰 http://liketk.it/3bABC #liketkit @liketoknow.it #birthday #itsmybirthday #32 #bestyearever #dreambig #lifeisgood #lifeisanadventure #celebrate #midwestliving #liveyourbestlife #fullheart @elegantees
Talk to your kids about death. Teach them where Talk to your kids about death. 

Teach them where people go when their life on earth ends. Help them learn to balance the emotions and grief of loss with the facts and promise of a life beyond this one. We can prepare them now, so when they experience a death first hand, they’ll have context and an understanding. 

Death is a part of life. 
Death can’t be avoided. 

As parents, by nature we want to protect our children from things that are difficult or hurtful. But preparing them in this case is more helpful than avoiding the conversation.

We can give our kids a spirit of contentment in knowledge, not fear of the unknown. 

Teach for understanding and confidence in the promise of Heaven. Encouraging them to embrace the privilege this life on earth is, entering our calling and purpose here, with our eyes on the ultimate gift of eternal life in Glory with our Creator! 

I wrote a post how books can help explain these complex concepts to our kids, and linked our favorite ones. Go check it out on the blog through the link in my profile. 

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Hebrews 11:16

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

http://liketk.it/3bajI photo by @alvarengaart #heaven #teachthemyoung #loss #grief #griefjourney #raisingarrows #teachingresources #afterlife #lifeafterdeath #parenting #parentingishard #empowered #love #happykids #hebrews11 #philippians3 #colossians3 #john316
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Simple Easter Dinner - Recipes, Shopping Lists, Tablescape Ideas, & Tips for Hosting a Stress Free Holiday
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nicolefergesen

ICYMI- I talked on Wednesday about an exciting new ICYMI- I talked on Wednesday about an exciting new addition to the blog- a monthly newsletter and GIVEAWAY! If you want exclusive updates (not spammy, promise!) then subscribe through the link in my profile. Maybe I’ll even share what I’m pondering about gazing across the water here 😂 I’m giving away two books to a new subscriber chosen at random, a copy of Streams in the Desert and my late husband’s book, Let the Socks Lead. Giveaway ends April 14.  http://liketk.it/3cpx2 photo by @bekahlee33  #liketkit @liketoknow.it #giveaway #subscribe #youngwidow #leadership #streamsinthedesert #ootd #spring #outfit #newsletter #midwest #midwestliving #midwestblogger #iowa #iowalife #lovemylife #dreambig #grief #homeblogger #fashionblogger #griefblogger #family #loveafterloss #alifeworthliving
So you’re pregnant! Congratulations! Pregnancy i So you’re pregnant! Congratulations! Pregnancy is magical and such a gift, but there are certain realities that come with growing a human inside you. Whether this is your first pregnancy or sixth, I have rounded up some of my pregnancy favorites, items that have gotten me through the first two trimesters comfortably! Most are non maternity (read: will last beyond pregnancy!) and won’t break the bank. Bookmark this post, then go to the blog (link in profile) to see the whole list and why I chose each item! 

Also, this target dress 👌🏼 http://liketk.it/3cnBX #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKbump #LTKunder50 #LTKwedding #maternity #pregnancyfavorites #bump #bumpstyle #target #targetstyle #spring #springdress #pregnancybasics #firsttrimester #secondtrimester #pregnancy #bumpdate
Swipe for the before ➡️ We bought our home at Swipe for the before ➡️ We bought our home at the beginning of December and got right to work renovating the space! We started with simple but big impact projects like painting the hearth room and eat in kitchen area and removing allllll the tan (see my stories for a laugh!). We have a long way to go, but this was a fantastic start and brightened up the whole space! My wrists still haven’t recovered from all the painting I’ve done already 🤣
Color: Alabaster by @sherwinwilliams 
Photo: @alvarengaart 
Sources: http://liketk.it/3ckww #liketkit @liketoknow.it #home #homerenovation #reno #dreamhome #paint #targethome #target #alabaster #white #whitepaint #springprojects #sherwinwilliams #bestwhitepaint #bestwhite #mostpopularwhite #beforeandafter #dreamhome
1. My due date is four months from today 😱 And 1. My due date is four months from today 😱 And today I experienced my first mention of my pregnancy from a stranger 😆 This pregnancy is FLYING by! 
2. This Easter was the first in my life I’ve gotten a tan. Thanks, Iowa! 
3. I only just discovered I have seasonal allergies. Maybe they are a new thing for me, or I’ve never noticed. Dustin pointed it out and let me tell you, I’m not a big medicine person but allergy meds are AMAZING. 
4. The exterior siding of our home is getting painted this week! Check out my stories for some insanely beautiful progress 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
5. How many loads of laundry do you do a week on average? I think I am at about 12 😱 #familyofsix
That’s all my random thoughts for today 🤣
I linked my favorite pullover!  http://liketk.it/3ceiv #liketkit @liketoknow.it #random #laundry #allergyseason #pregnancy #bumpdate #tan #randommusings #adayinthelife #homerenovation #progress @abercrombie #smile #spring #momlife #happylife #iowalife
He is risen 🙌🏼 http://liketk.it/3c506 @dfe He is risen 🙌🏼 

http://liketk.it/3c506 @dfergesen #heisrisen #eastersunday #family #blendedfamily #chaptertwo
SMILE. Can you name three things that make you hap SMILE. Can you name three things that make you happy? We have so much to be grateful for. I’ll go first in the comments 👇🏼 

http://liketk.it/3bM0d photo by @rachelwhitephoto #thisisthegoodlife #dreambig #lifeisanadventure #liketkit @liketoknow.it  #outdoor #getoutside #kids #family #smile #happy #grateful
Don’t wait. Don’t wait to host until your hou Don’t wait. 
Don’t wait to host until your house is perfect.
Just open your home and be available. Be Inviting. Embracing. It will never feel like the perfect timing, like your house is not decorated well enough, or is clean enough to invite people in, but the memories made will supersede any hesitation. Love will work it all out. They’ll remember the conversation, the gesture, and the kindness of simply letting them enter through your threshold. 

Our home is still a construction zone and the amount of events in one month has been crazy (gender reveal, Elliott’s birthday, my birthday, Scarlett’s birthday, Easter, hosting friends from out of town, on top of the ongoing renovations). Instead of saying no, we are inviting friends into our home just the way it is. It’s chaotic, messy (literally sawdust on the ground for the gender reveal 🤣), and very imperfect, but that’s much like our life, right? We are constantly becoming better versions of ourselves. Sometimes we need to let others into the messy parts because we all have them. And that’s where the connection lies- the messy. Because we are all human, and there’s no point in pretending our lives are any more polished than they really are. Truth is, life is crazy and we are all doing the best we can!

I wrote a post (link in profile) all about our simple Easter dinner plans! I included recipes, shopping lists, tablescape ideas, and tips for hosting a stress free holiday. Is there someone you can invite over this Easter? Think of the people in your lives, and maybe there’s someone who doesn’t have a place to go. Show them the love of Jesus just by letting them in ❤️AND if you made it this far, I linked the new version of this blouse which is an all time favorite! http://liketk.it/3bEn3 and links to the tablescape http://liketk.it/3bD7j photo by @bekahlee33 #liketkit @liketoknow.it #dontwait #easter #justlove #loveothers #bethelove #showthemjesus #openthedoor #jesusisthereason #lovebig #love #eastermenu #tips #advice #midwestliving #iowablogger #midwest #midwestblogger
Here’s to year 32 🎉 thankful for the wild rid Here’s to year 32 🎉 thankful for the wild ride this past year was, and looking forward to another year of adventures, sawdust, and snuggles 🥰 http://liketk.it/3bABC #liketkit @liketoknow.it #birthday #itsmybirthday #32 #bestyearever #dreambig #lifeisgood #lifeisanadventure #celebrate #midwestliving #liveyourbestlife #fullheart @elegantees
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