Guidelines for Understanding
Other Community Resources
What is this literature?
This list includes only some of the many resources available for grieving children and their families. Local bookstores and libraries have others. Try to be aware of the message in each book and select appropriate ones for your family.
Pre-school Children
A Bunch of Balloons - Dorothy Ferguson
A journal/story which looks at not just what has been lost, but what still is.
Young Children
Aarvy Aardvark Finds Hope - Donna O'Toole
Aarvy's mother is taken to a zoo and the animals try to help. After Aarvy talks and talks, he can play again. Also available as a cassette tape and a video.
Adolescents
Death is Hard to Live With - Janet Bode
Teenagers talk about how they cope with loss. All kinds of deaths are discussed and feelings are deep.
Adults
A Guide to Understand Guilt During Bereavement - Robert Baugher
This looks at the should haves, why wasn't, self-punishment, and different types of guilt. Suggestions to avoid letting guilt control your life.
Helping Others
The Art of Condolence - Hilary and Leonard Zunin
This includes letters to write and send when death occurs and a chapter on conversational hints. It discusses what to do if a friend really needs to see a counselor.
Guiding Children Through Grief
Bereaved Children and Teens - A Support Guide for Parents and Professionals - Earl Grollman
This includes grief at different development ages, reactions of siblings, cultural variances and some therapies.