ThreeBookworms

When our dog passed away after having him 10 years it was hard. He was here before we had kids and the kids only knew our family and house with him around. After he died, we would read books about other kids who have lost an animal to help talk about how we feel and process the loss. Here are some wonderful picture books to read with your children if you have ever had a pet pass away.

The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr

This is a colorful book about all the different feelings you might have when a pet dies. It also talks about feeling brave to move on and you will always remember those times together.

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies

Evan and his dog do everything together and love being in the garden together. When his dog dies he doesn’t want to garden anymore because he is so sad. When only weeds grow his garden, he doesn’t mind and takes care them. Then he decides to keep a pumpkin vine which grows a beautiful pumpkin which brings back his love of gardening. You won’t want to miss finding out how Evan does when he takes his pumpkin to the fair

The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder and Catia Chien

This is written in the perspective of an aging dog who loves his Little foreverfriend. You see the adventures they have and the dog remembering his younger years. The dog is ready to die and takes a last look at his Little foreverfriend. He continues to look down on his Little and watch season change and a new puppy in Little’s life.

Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas and Ard Hoyt

Follow this young girl as she watches her dog, Lulu grow older and not to be able to do as much anymore. After Lulu passes away, she doesn’t want a new dog. She plants a tree in Lulu’s memory and in time is able to be excited about a new puppy to have at home.

The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

The author of the best-selling book, The Invisible String brings us a book just about loss of a pet. Zack isn’t ready to go home on Friday after school because his dog Jojo won’t be there this weekend. His friend Emily tells Zack about an invisible leash that connects hearts together. Now with the invisible leash between Zack and Jojo, he can feel his dog wherever he goes. This book features dogs and cats and other pets that have passed away.

My hope is that these books comfort and inspire other families about how to process the death of a beloved pet. If you have found other books on the topic, please feel free to share them with me on here.