Books to Help Your Child Cope With Tragedy

Here is a list of books to help your child cope with tragedy, provided by Alison Urban, Social Worker/Behavioral Health Clinician at our Smalley Academy School Based Health Center:

Grief and Loss

Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories  (Audrey Penn)

A story about coping with loss, appropriate for both younger and older children.

The Invisible String  (Patrice Karst)

A story that teaches both younger and older children that they are always connected to their loved ones, no matter where they are.

Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss  (Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen)

A wonderful and helpful book for older children, teens, and adults.

When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief

(Marge Heegaard)

A simple and reassuring coloring book to help younger and older children express their feelings about a loved one who has died.

Anxiety (General)

The I’m Not Scared Book  (Todd Parr)

A simple and upbeat book for younger children about coping with many types of fears.

Go Away, Big Green Monster  (Ed Emberley)

A simple book to help young and very young children take control of their fears.

Separation Anxiety

The Kissing Hand  (Audrey Penn)

A story to teach parents and children a simple strategy to calm children’s worries about being separated.

The Invisible String  (Patrice Karst)

A story that teaches both younger and older children that they are always connected to their loved ones, no matter where they are.

Trauma (If your child has witnessed a tragedy)

A Terrible Thing Happened  (Margaret M. Holmes)

A reassuring story to help children and parents understand and cope with children’s feelings of fear, sadness, anger and confusion after a very frightening event.

When Something Terrible Happens:  Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief

(Marge Heegaard)

A simple and reassuring coloring book to help younger and older children express their feelings about a very frightening event.

Sofia Dupi

Share
Published by
Sofia Dupi

Recent Posts

RFK, Jr.’s Vaccine Fight: ‘Threat to Good Public Health’

Supporters say Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is fulfilling his vision…

2 days ago

Mayo Clinic Doctor Leads The Patient Revolution: Insights & Tools to Improve Health Care

Originally broadcast Wednesday, August 27 Dr. Victor Montori, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, internationally recognized researcher,…

2 weeks ago

“Father of Aerobics” at 94: Dr. Cooper’s Unrelenting Health Advocacy

Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s FitnessGram is on the ropes. President Trump recently reestablished the Presidential Fitness…

2 weeks ago

America’s Mental Health Crisis: Philanthropy’s Bold Action Plan

Originally broadcast August 14, 2025 One in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness,…

3 weeks ago

Food is Medicine Advocate Urges Evidence-Based Solutions Amid SNAP Cutbacks

Originally broadcast August 7, 2025 Experts who believe in the “food is medicine” concept say…

3 weeks ago

60 Years of Medicaid & Medicare: Health Care Challenges & Opportunities

Americans are living longer for many reasons and experts credit Medicare and Medicaid for some…

1 month ago