Last week, my family had a significant loss when we unexpectedly had to put our cat down. He had lovingly roamed our house for 12 years and was the kids’ unlikely protector. Boo was a loyal feline, and losing him pierced a hole through all of our hearts. I noticed that each of my four children grieved the loss of their pet differently —some loudly and up front, some quietly and in their own space. Losing a pet they interact with every day is significant for children, and although my children are old enough to understand death, talking about their grief is important.
For children experiencing their first pet loss, parents may want to turn to a book for support in their conversation with that child. I know I found some really excellent picture books when my kids were younger and our first pet died….those goldfish, you know?! Last week, with Boo passing, it reminded me of all the resources for children experiencing the loss of an animal friend. I went to my library and sourced pet-loss books for kids of all ages.
In memory of my sweet kitty and to support your kids through the loss of a beloved family pet, here are a few of my favorite picture books about pet loss, along with the ages I recommend for each.
The Goodbye Book By Todd Parr (Ages 2-4)
I am a big fan of Todd Parr’s children’s books and have used them often in my kids’ yoga classes. They are inclusive and poignant, offering discussion points on various socio-emotional issues that families face. The illustrations are bright and straightforward, making them perfect for younger readers. The characters always reflect all children: different colors, abilities, sizes, and shapes.
What The Goodbye Book Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: In ‘The Goodbye Book’, Parr tells the story of a fish who has lost his buddy fish. It recounts how the two fish spent every day together and how important they were to each other. The book acknowledges how hard it can be to say goodbye when we lose someone or something. Children will recognize their own emotions in the fish’s story and will feel reassured that feeling sad is okay. Parr always does such an excellent job of connecting with young children through his clear, yet fun, words and drawings. This book would make a fantastic resource for a toddler or preschooler dealing with pet loss.
Berenstain Bears Lose A Friend by Jan & Stan Berenstain (Ages 4-6)
Jan and Stan Berenstain have covered every childhood topic I can imagine, and pet loss is no exception. These classic children’s books certainly capture all the poignant moments of childhood, and experiencing the loss of a pet is one of those. Sister Bear loves her fish, Goldie, and she takes extra special care of her friend. Goldie is a constant in Sister’s daily routine. When Mama Bear discovers one afternoon that Goldie has died, she is worried about how Sister will take the sad news. But Papa Bear has a plan to replace the beloved fish before Sister returns from school. How will Sister react when she learns this new fish is not her Goldie, or will she even know?
What Berenstain Bears Lose a Friend Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: This is a sweet, simple read for younger children who have experienced pet loss. I would recommend this book for 2–4-year-olds as it doesn’t delve into anything too deep or thought-provoking. In typically Berenstain Bears fashion, it is relatable to young children and how they see their world. This story also explores emotions and how Sister Bear feels sadness when she loses her goldfish. Sometimes, for young children, simple and light is the best approach when discussing loss.
Fluffy And The Stars By T’Anchay Redvers (Ages 2-6)
Shay and her dog, Fluffy, were best friends. They did everything together: went for walks, car rides, played hide-and-seek, and even brushed their teeth. Fluffy was there on Shay’s good and bad days, always for comfort and companionship. But as time passes, Shay notices Fluffy is slowing down; she doesn’t run and jump like she used to. When Fluffy passes, Shay is left heartbroken and missing her best friend.
What Fluffy And The Stars Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: In this picture book by Indigenous author T’anchay Redvers, Shay dreams of her lost pet and is reminded by the stars that Fluffy is safe and will always be with her. I adore the tag from this picture book, “Even when you say goodbye, the love stays in your heart”. The phrase wraps up sweetly how to explain grief to a child. This is a comprehensive story about pet loss that will be easy for younger children to relate to and find comforting.
Rodney Was A Tortoise By Nan Forler (Ages 4-7)
Bernadette and Rodney, the tortoise, were the best of friends. Although he couldn’t play many of Bernadette’s favorite games, he was steady and strong, always there, watching over her. He even got to go to school with her for show-and-tell. As the seasons passed, Rodney became slower and slower until one day he didn’t wake up to greet Bernadette at all. Bernadette is lonely without Rodney; she feels like her friends don’t understand her sadness. Until she talks to Amar, who has also lost a pet friend, and offers Bernadette kindness and understanding through her grief.
What Rodney Was A Tortoise Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: ‘Rodney was a Tortoise‘ is a tear-jerker; be prepared. But the story is so lovely, and reminds us that even the smallest of friends can leave a big impact on our hearts. The story also demonstrates the importance of showing empathy to others who are experiencing pet loss or other forms of grief. Amar and Bernadette connect as the book concludes, and the friends help fill the void in their hearts. This picture book on pet loss, with its sweet story, relatable emotions, and darling illustrations, is suitable for ages 4-7.
Find Momo Everywhere By Andrew Knapp (Ages 4-7)
Life with Momo is filled with adventure. The sweet dog loves to travel, run and play hide ‘n seek. He loves to explore the city and the countryside, the sidewalks and beaches. But Momo is beginning to slow down, his fur is changing, and his eyes have grown older and wiser. When Momo passes, his owner (the author) is left feeling heartbroken and angry. But his memories of Momo and their time together keep him alive forever.
What Find Momo Everywhere Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: In this lovely book, illustrated in mixed media, Momo comes alive on the pages and in readers’ hearts. Author & illustrator Andrew Knapp shares his story of losing his beloved dog, Momo, and how he now celebrates his lost friend through the memories they made. Perfect for ages 4–7 year-olds and beyond, Find Momo Everywhere offers rhyming words to engage little minds and interactivity as children are encouraged to find the dog amongst real-life images. A must-read if you’ve lost a pet companion.
The Invisible Leash By Patrice Karst (Ages 4-8)
When Zack’s dog, Jojo, dies, he is feeling all the big emotions. Loneliness, anger, and, of course, sadness consume the grieving boy. When his friend, Emily, calls on him to play, she reminds him that it is okay to cry. Emily has also lost a pet before and tells Zach about ‘the invisible leash’. When her cat, Rexie, passed away, her grandfather told her that an invisible leash would also connect the pair. She tells Zach that whenever he has a heart-warming thought about Jojo, that is the leash tugging at his heart.
What The Invisible Leash Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: I noted this picture book for children experiencing pet loss, suitable for ages 4-8 years. It lightly delves into the idea of pet heaven, connections to our animals after death, and deeper concepts to help children explore their grief. The Invisible Leash is the companion book to the bestselling picture books ‘The Invisible String‘ and ‘The Invisible String Workbook,’ which address grief in children. All three are powerful resources for families experiencing loss.
Goodbye, Brecken By David Lupton (Ages 7-9)
‘Goodbye, Brecken’ is a touching story about a girl’s grief after the death of her beloved dog, Brecken. Isabelle is so overcome with sadness at the loss of her best friend, Brecken, that she has a profound dream about him. In her dream, Isabelle searches everywhere for her dog, meeting several other animals along the way in the woods. When she is close to giving up, her trusty dog appears at her side, and she is comforted by memories of him. Isabelle wakes up feeling acceptance, knowing that Brecken will always be in her heart.
What Goodbye, Brecken Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: ‘Goodbye, Brecken’ is geared towards older children, with its darker illustrations and more abstract concepts. The pictures carry heavy emotions, and an older child would better interpret Isabelle’s dream. This picture book about pet loss also includes activities for a child to complete at the end. I like the addition of this interactive element, which allows children to creatively explore some of the emotions found in and outside the book.
Bear Island By Matthew Cordell (Ages 8-10)
After the death of her dog, Charlie, Louise visits a nearby island where they used to walk together. Rattled by anger and sadness, Louise hits a tree with a stick in frustration. The noise wakes the butterflies, the deer, the squirrels, and suddenly she feels something coming alive on the island. Continuing her walk, Louise meets a bear who also seems sad. Over the next few weeks, Louise and the bear meet, exchanging emotions, healing together until it is time for the bear to hibernate. And change is upon Louise once again. Is the bear real, or does it signify something greater happening around her? Will Louise find Bear again when she returns in the spring?
What Bear Island Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: A poignant story about grief, life, and change, Bear Island is a beauty. This picture book is a lesson on time and healing, and will be comforting to young readers. I would recommend this book on pet loss for ages 8-10, as younger children may not grasp the significance of the bear. Full disclosure, the story ends with Louise getting a new pet, so if that isn’t right for your family, you may want to skip the last few pages. I love this book for its presentation of how endings often mean new beginnings.
Wonderful Goodbyes By Kelly Wu (Ages 8-10)
)Bailey’s family knows it’s soon time to say goodbye to their sweet dog. He has been sleeping more and eating less. His human best friend prepares herself by doing all their favorite things one last time and saying goodbye to each toy, each spot, each activity. But there is not enough time to say goodbye to everything, so when the time comes, the young girl imagines all their favorite things surrounding them.
What Wonderful Goodbuys Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: Another deeply moving picture book helping guide children through the loss of a pet. This is another one that hits right in the heart. I recommend this read for older children, as it speaks to the final moments and is quite bittersweet. From this story, we are reminded that, although we cannot see our furry friends anymore, they are always with us. The book of ‘Wonderful Goodbyes’ ends with “…I will remember that you are right there in all the wonderful hellos and goodbyes. And always with me. Hello, my dearest. Goodbye.”
A Garden Of Creatures By Sheila Heti (Ages 8-10)
Two bunnies and a cat lived together in a mystical garden. The three were the best of friends, but one night the brown bunny got sick. The next day, their sad human took the brown bunny, buried her in the earth, and marked her spot with a stone. The cat and white bunny were so sorry to lose their brown bunny friend. Where had she gone, and where do all the creatures go after they die?
What A Garden Of Creatures Teaches Kids About Pet Loss: This whimsically illustrated picture book explores the questions we all ask about life and death. Geared towards older children, the story asks, ‘Where do animals go when they die?’, ‘Do they know they died?’, and ‘Why does the world work that way?’ As a parent, I know I have been asked these questions, and they aren’t easy ones to answer. The story’s theme is that all creatures are born, live, and die. The creatures remain surrounding us as part of nature, even though we can no longer see them. They live in the flowers, the trees, the wind, and the mountains. This picture book may not align with everyone’s beliefs, but it is worth exploring for children who have lost a pet.
Losing a pet can be extremely difficult for a child. They truly become a part of our family. They are there in our day-to-day routines and interactions, so when they are suddenly taken away, it can be difficult for a child to understand. We have lost several pets over the years in our house, and those losses never seem to get easier. I was inspired to craft this list of the best picture books about pet loss after the passing of our cat, Boo-Boo. But as I finished writing this article for publication, we lost a second cat, our dear Chester, at just two years old. It has been a very tough month for my kiddos, and this list of books has given me all the feels. We miss you, Boo-Boo and Chester, and hope you are running free and wild in the ‘garden of creatures’.
Be sure to check out Parenting Patch’s best cartoon episodes that teach kids how to deal with the loss of a pet.
