Books on childhood bereavement
Resource credit: The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network
We’ve compiled links to a selection of books on childhood bereavement which will be useful in your professional practice. Most can be bought online from Amazon.co.uk or Book Depositry. You may also borrow them from your local public library or an academic institute if you are a past pupil. The Irish Hospice Foundation has a death, dying and bereavement Library and many of the publications will be available to borrow through their Library. The Library is based in Dublin but they can send a book by post to those living outside the city.
Understanding the implications of grief on children is important. These books can help to develop a context and understanding of how death affects children.
Books
Healing children’s Grief; surviving a parent’s death from cancer Christ, G. H (2000)
Living with Grief; Children, Adolescents, and Loss Doka, K (2000)
Children Grieving, Grieving Children Doka, K (1995)
Helping Children Cope with Death, Dougy Center (1997)
Grief in Children A handbook for Adults Dyregrove, A (2000)
Bereaved Children and Teens: A Support Guide for Parents and Professionals Grollman, E (1995)
Working with Bereaved Children and Young People Mallon, B (2011)
Never too young to know Death in Children’s lives Silverman, P (2000)
Then, now and Always Stokes, J (2004)
Living after a death Walsh, M.P (1995)
Helping your child through bereavement Walsh, M.P (2000)
Children and Grief When a Parent Dies Worden, J.W (1996)
Assessment Tools
Family Assessment – Guidelines for Child Bereavement Practitioners Winston’s Wish (2006)
A comprehensive document to guide practitioners in undertaking assessment with children and families. “I found this most helpful when starting out working with bereaved children as it really limits the chance of ‘missing’ something!” – ICBN member
Workbooks
Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine Winston’s Wish – “This is a very child-friendly workbook which covers most areas of the bereavement experience and an opportunity to explore any misconceptions the child may have about the cause of death. It has engaging exercises which children will find easy to interact with. Some of the exercises are just for fun and although they take time, they are very useful for relationship building, particularly with a shy or reluctant child.”
Angel Catcher – This is a workbook that can be used with a child to explore aspects of grief that are difficult to share. It allows communication with the deceased. There is also an adult version to encourage parents and children to work together.
Waving Goodbye: An activities manual for children in grief The Dougy Center. Features more than 45 activities to use with children and teens in peer support groups, or, for parents to use with their own children. These activities are categorized by topic and are designed to help children process their unique grief.
When some very special dies: Children can learn to cope with grief Heegard, M (1991). A practical format for allowing children to understand the concept of death and develop coping skills for life.
Grief Encounter Workbook. A worthwhile resource with lots of ideas for working with children. Available here.
Handbooks
‘Someone To Talk To’: A handbook on childhood bereavement by Barnardos. An introduction for staff to supporting a child who is bereaved. Download here.
‘Does This Mean That I am Mad?‘ by The Psychological Society of Ireland. A sheet for practitioners on preparing children and young people to see a psychologist. These tips come from consultations with children and professionals and aim to be a resource for mental health practitioners who are introducing themselves to young service-users and their families.
The Candle Project in the UK have helpful information and leaflets about children, young people and loss on their website here.