15 Children's Books About Losing a Grandparent, Chosen for Gentle Conversations
The best children's books about losing grandparents use plain words, say clearly that the person died, and leave room for your own family's stories. We've gathered 15 real picture books, sorted by whether it was Grandma, Grandpa, or a grandparent who was sick or forgetting for a long time, each with a short note on the kind of kid it might suit.
The extra chairs are back in the garage, the sympathy cards are stacked on the counter, and your kid still asks at bath time when Grandpa is coming over. Some nights you have the words. Other nights you'd give a lot for a book to say the first part for you.
That's a fair thing to want. A good picture book hands your child a story shaped a bit like theirs, and it hands you a script for the nights your voice won't hold steady. We went through the catalog records and pulled together 15 children's books about losing grandparents, sorted by who died and how: a grandma, a grandpa, or a grandparent who was sick or forgetting for a long time before the end.
No single book does the whole job, though. Kids tend to circle back with questions days later, in the car or halfway through dinner, and most of helping children with grief happens in those small follow-up moments rather than in one big reading. If you haven't told your child yet, start with how to talk to kids about losing a grandparent and come back for the books.
Why a picture book helps when a grandparent dies
A story gives a child something to look at besides your face. It's easier for a kid to talk about how Tommy felt, or why Syd keeps looking out at the water, than about the tight, strange feeling in their own chest. Honestly, it's easier for you too.
Books also repeat. Your child can hear the funeral page or the empty-bed page a dozen times in a row, which is often exactly what young kids need, and you don't have to come up with fresh words each time. On a night when you're running on four hours of sleep and a reheated sympathy lasagna, being able to just read the next line counts for a lot.
A book also shows a kid who feels like the only one in class whose grandma died that other families have been here too.
How we picked these children's books about losing grandparents
Every title below is a real book we checked in the Open Library catalog, linked so you can see editions and request it from your library. We've described each one from its catalog summary in a sentence or two, then added a short note on the kind of kid or family it might suit.
We left off age ranges on purpose. Editions and publishers vary, and you know far better than any label whether your child can sit through a longer story about death or needs something short with big pictures. Read each book yourself first, alone, with tissues nearby. Some of these land harder on grown-ups than on kids.
Also, watch the words. Children are literal, and the Child Mind Institute's guidance on helping children deal with grief advises against euphemisms, because phrases like "went to sleep" can frighten kids. A couple of these books use a gentle picture instead of the plain facts, like a grandad who sails off to an island. That can be lovely, as long as you also say the real word, "died," somewhere in the conversation.
Books about losing a grandma (or a great-grandma)
Five for when it was Grandma, Nana or Great-Grandma.
- Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola (1973). Every Sunday, Tommy visits his grandmother and his great-grandmother. When his great-grandmother dies, he starts to learn what loss means, and how remembering someone works. Might suit: a child who had a weekly routine with a grandparent, or whose great-grandparent died.
- Grandma's Gloves by Cecil Castellucci (2010). A girl remembers her grandmother, a gardener, and keeps tending the garden after she dies. Might suit: the kid who spent afternoons outside with Grandma, or one who wants something to do with all that missing.
- Grandma's Purple Flowers by Adjoa J. Burrowes (2000). A girl visits her grandmother, who loves purple flowers, and finds ways to remember her after she dies. Might suit: a child who connects Grandma with one color, smell or favorite thing.
- Saying Good-Bye to Grandma by Jane Resh Thomas (1988). A girl's family travels to her grandmother's funeral, and the story shows what a funeral is actually like. Might suit: a child heading to a first funeral, especially one that means a long drive or a flight. Pair it with what to tell young kids about funerals.
- What's Heaven? by Maria Shriver (1999). After her great-grandmother dies, a girl asks her mother questions. Might suit: families who talk about heaven, and a kid who asks a lot of questions. Preview it to be sure the answers match your own.
Books about losing a grandpa
Six for when it was Grandpa, Grandad or Papa.
- Grandad's Island by Benji Davies (2015). Syd's grandad sails off to an island and stays there, a gentle way of picturing a grandparent's death. Might suit: a child who does better with pictures than with explanations. Say the word "died" alongside it, so the island doesn't become a place they expect to visit.
- Grandpa's Stories by Joseph Coelho (2019). A child remembers a grandfather through the seasons after he dies. Might suit: a family facing the first year of birthdays and holidays without him, or a kid who keeps noticing him as the weather changes.
- Sophie by Mem Fox (1994). Sophie and her grandpa grow together, she growing up and he growing old. After he dies, a new baby arrives. Might suit: a family where a death and a birth landed close together, which happens more than anyone expects.
- My Grandson Lew by Charlotte Zolotow. A boy and his mother share memories of his grandfather, who died when the boy was very young. Might suit: a child who barely remembers a grandparent, or a parent who wants to fill in the stories. We wrote more about kids asking about grandparents they never really knew.
- Remembering Grandpa by Uma Krishnaswami (2007). After Grandpa dies, a child helps Grandma remember him. Might suit: a kid who is worried about the grandparent who is still here.
- Grandad's Prayers of the Earth by Douglas Wood (1999). A boy's grandfather teaches him that everything in nature prays. After Grandad dies, the boy finds comfort outdoors. Might suit: outdoorsy kids, and families comfortable with prayer.
When a grandparent was sick, forgetting, or near the end
These four fit the long goodbye: dementia, a slow decline, or a family that knew the end was coming. Two of them work before a death as well as after, which can help if your child is watching a grandparent change right now and doesn't have words for it.
- What's Happening to Grandpa? by Maria Shriver (2004). A girl learns that her grandfather has Alzheimer's disease. Might suit: a child whose grandparent is still alive but changing. It's best read before a death, not after.
- The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros (2018). A boy's grandpa carries balloons full of memories, and they begin to float away as his memory fades. Might suit: a kid who is hurt or confused that Grandpa doesn't know their name anymore.
- Old Pig by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Ron Brooks (1996). Old Pig and her granddaughter take one last slow walk to notice the world before Old Pig dies. Might suit: a family with time to say goodbye, like hospice care at home.
- Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles (1971). A Navajo girl tries to stop time when her grandmother says she will die when the rug on the loom is finished. Might suit: a child who wants to fight what's happening and make it stop.
One happy grandparent book that isn't on the list
Not every grandparent book has to be sad. Rally Takes the Train, the picture book this site grew out of, is a cheerful story about a corgi named Rally who rides a train to visit his grand-paw-rents. There's a dark tunnel and a scared moment, then a big bright light and the ocean. It isn't a grief book, and it isn't counted in the 15. Kelsey Lizee Cecil wrote it in memory of her mom, Deb, who dreamed up the idea and talked about it for years. If your kid needs a night off from sad stories, it sits with our other books about visiting grandparents.
How to read a grief book with your child
Pick a calm moment, not five minutes before the school bus. Let your child hold the book and turn the pages. Slow down on the hard page, the one where the bed is empty or the family drives to the funeral, and let the picture sit for a second before you turn it.
Then talk less than you think you need to. The Dougy Center's advice on how to help a child who is grieving is to answer kids' questions honestly, even the hard ones, and to listen without jumping in to judge or fix. If your child asks something that stops you cold ("Does Grandma still have her glasses on?"), you can repeat it back in their words while you find your footing.
You'll probably cry at some point, and that's allowed. Kids tend to copy how the grown-ups around them grieve, and the Child Mind Institute notes that showing your emotions reassures children that feeling sad is okay; what unsettles them is a reaction that's explosive or out of control. The Dougy Center's guide for when an extended family member dies suggests reassuring kids that they didn't cause your feelings and that you're okay. Something like: "Grown-ups cry too. These tears are because we love Grandma. We are still okay, and we are still taking care of you."
Some kids ask for the same book every night for three weeks. Let them. Others push it away after one page, and that's fine too; leave it on a low shelf where they can find it on their own later.
Questions to ask after you close the book
Keep them open, and don't ask them all in one sitting. One is usually plenty.
- "Which part felt like our family?"
- "What do you remember about Grandpa's laugh, or his kitchen, or his car?"
- "How do you think Syd felt when Grandad stayed on the island?"
- "Is there anything you've been wondering about?"
- "Want to make a page like this one about Grandma?"
Child grief organizations come back to the same idea over and over: keep talking about the person. The Dougy Center's tips for supporting grieving children suggest saying the person's name, sharing memories and marking important dates together. A picture book is an easy excuse to do a little of each.
When books aren't enough
Most kids grieve in bursts and slowly settle back into themselves. The AAP's guide to what's normal in childhood grief and when to worry suggests watching for major, lasting changes in how your child handles everyday life. If you notice them, or if your child talks about wanting to die, contact your pediatrician or a child grief specialist. The National Alliance for Children's Grief has a directory of grief support centers and camps you can search by zip code. If anyone in your family is in crisis, call or text 988 in the US, and our grief resources page has more places to turn.
For toddlers and preschoolers, we keep a separate list of grief books for preschoolers with shorter, simpler picks. For stories about coming through something scary, try our children's books about courage and hope after loss.
Somewhere around the fifth reading, your kid will probably start saying the lines before you do, and then adding their own, like "Grandma had a garden too," or "Grandpa's hands were cold in winter." Let them run with it.
Questions people ask
What is a good children's book about the death of a grandparent?
Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola is a classic place to start, and Grandpa's Stories by Joseph Coelho is a gentle newer choice. The best fit depends on your child and your family. Match the book to who died, whether the death was sudden or followed a long illness, and what your family believes. Read it yourself first so nothing on the page surprises you.
What age are picture books about a grandparent dying meant for?
Most are picture books written with young children in mind, but there's no single right age. Publishers' suggested ranges vary by edition, so check the listing for the copy you borrow or buy. More important than a number is your child: how long they can sit, how they handle sad stories and what they already understand about death. Preview the book first and trust your read of your kid.
Are there children's books specifically about losing a grandpa?
Yes. Grandad's Island, Grandpa's Stories, Sophie, My Grandson Lew, Remembering Grandpa and Grandad's Prayers of the Earth all center on a grandfather who dies. They range from a soft metaphor about a grandad sailing to an island to a plain story of a boy and his mom sharing memories. What's Happening to Grandpa? and The Remember Balloons cover a grandpa whose memory is fading.
Which picture books are about a grandma dying?
Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs, Grandma's Gloves and Grandma's Purple Flowers each follow a child who loved a grandmother or great-grandmother and finds ways to remember her after she dies. Saying Good-Bye to Grandma walks through a grandmother's funeral. Old Pig shows a grandmother and granddaughter taking one last slow walk, and Annie and the Old One follows a Navajo girl and her grandmother.
Should I read a grief book to my child right after the death, or wait?
Either can work. Some families read a book in the first days because it gives everyone words, while others wait until the questions start. Follow your child's cues. If they lean in, keep going; if they wander off, leave the book where they can find it. Telling your child plainly that their grandparent died comes first, and a book can help that news sink in.
Is it okay if I cry while reading a grief book to my child?
Yes. Children often copy how the adults around them grieve, and seeing you sad but steady shows them sadness is safe to share. Pause and say something simple, such as "Grown-ups cry too. We miss Grandma, and we're okay," then keep reading when you're ready. What tends to frighten kids is a big, out-of-control reaction, not a few quiet tears.
What should I look for in a children's book about losing a grandparent?
Look for plain, honest language, like "died" instead of "went to sleep," since young children take words literally. Choose a tone that fits your child, gentler for a sensitive kid and more direct for a big questioner. A book with room for your own stories helps too, so you can say, "Grandpa grew tomatoes like that." Preview it to be sure any beliefs match your family's.
Are there kids' books about a grandparent with Alzheimer's or dementia?
Yes. What's Happening to Grandpa? by Maria Shriver follows a girl who learns her grandfather has Alzheimer's disease, and The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros shows a grandpa whose memories float away like balloons. Both can help a child understand changes in a grandparent who is still alive, which can make a later death feel less sudden and less confusing.
Are there children's books about grandparent death that aren't religious?
Yes. Going by their catalog summaries, most books on this list focus on memories, family and nature rather than religion, including Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs, Grandma's Gloves, Sophie and The Remember Balloons. Summaries don't show every page, so preview any title before reading it aloud. You can also adjust a word or two as you read to fit what your family believes.
Are there books about a grandparent's death that include faith and heaven?
Yes. What's Heaven? by Maria Shriver centers on a girl's questions to her mother after her great-grandmother dies, and the title tells you where the conversation goes. Grandad's Prayers of the Earth by Douglas Wood weaves prayer into the natural world. Preview both, since families picture heaven and prayer differently, and you'll want the book to match what you tell your child.
Are there children's books for kids whose grandparent died before they were born?
Few books are written for exactly this, but My Grandson Lew comes close: a boy and his mother share memories of a grandfather who died when the boy was very young. Books about remembering, paired with your own photos and stories, help a child get to know a grandparent they never met. Saying that grandparent's name often keeps them part of family life.
Can I borrow books about grandparent loss from the library?
Yes. Public and school libraries often carry these books, and a children's librarian can usually suggest more or request titles from other branches. Some children's grief centers and hospice programs keep lending libraries for families too. Borrowing first is a good way to preview a book before you buy a copy to keep, especially when you aren't sure how your child will react.
Are there grandparent grief books that show diverse families and cultures?
Some do. Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles centers on a Navajo girl and her grandmother. For other families and traditions, ask a children's librarian or a local grief center, since they often know newer titles. Look for books where your child can see a family like theirs, and preview each one, because mourning customs differ a great deal from family to family.
Which books help a child who is angry that their grandparent died?
None of these 15 is mainly about anger, but Annie and the Old One shows a girl trying to stop what's coming, which can speak to a child who wants to fight it. Anger is a common part of grief for kids. Let your child say it out loud, offer safe ways to let it out, like running or squishing clay, and stay close while it passes.
What questions can I ask my child after reading a book about a grandparent dying?
Keep them short and open. Try "Which part felt like our family?", "What do you remember about Grandma?", "How do you think the girl felt at the end?" or "Is there anything you've been wondering about?" Then mostly listen. If your child shrugs, that's fine. Questions often come back days later, in the car or at bath time.
Are there books about losing a grandparent for kids ages 8 to 12?
We didn't sort this list by age, but picture books aren't only for little kids. An older child may get more out of layered stories like Annie and the Old One, Old Pig or The Remember Balloons, and might want to read them alone. For chapter books, ask a school or public librarian, who can match a title to your child's reading level and maturity.
Is Rally Takes the Train a book about grief?
No. Rally Takes the Train is a happy picture book about a corgi named Rally who rides a train to visit his grand-paw-rents. Kelsey Lizee Cecil wrote it in memory of her mom, Deb, who dreamed up the idea, but it isn't a grief book. It's a cheerful story for the nights you want to talk about grandparents with a smile.
Are there books about a grandparent who lived far away and died?
None of these books is about distance specifically, but grandparents who lived far away still leave real gaps: video calls, mailed birthday cards, long drives for visits. Kids may miss those rituals as much as the person. Books about remembering, like Grandma's Purple Flowers or Grandpa's Stories, can help, along with saving a few cards or recordings to look at together.
Is a children's book a good sympathy gift for a grieving family?
Yes, for a family with young children, a thoughtful picture book can be a kind gift. Choose one that fits who died and the family's beliefs, and tuck in a short note, something like "Thinking of you all. We hope this helps on the hard nights." One well-chosen book, maybe alongside a meal, usually says plenty.
What if my child refuses to read books about death?
Respect it. Some kids aren't ready, and pushing can make books feel like a trap. Leave the book on a low shelf where your child can find it, try again in a few weeks, or read a gentler story about love and family instead. Plenty of children pick up the hard book on their own once it stops feeling like an assignment.
If today feels like too much
You can call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, US) any time, day or night. More places to turn, including grief groups and therapists: grief support and crisis resources.
Something gentle for the kidsRally Takes the Train is a hand-painted picture book about a corgi, a dark tunnel, and the people waiting at the end of the line.
Why it was writtenSources
- Helping Kids Cope with Grief, Child Mind Institute
- How to Help a Child Who Is Grieving, Dougy Center
- Supporting Children and Teens When an Extended Family Member Dies, Dougy Center
- Tips for Supporting Grieving Children, The Dougy Center
- Grief and Loss in Childhood: How to Help Your Child Cope, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Find Support, National Alliance for Children's Grief
- Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs, Open Library
- Grandma's Gloves, Open Library
- Grandma's Purple Flowers, Open Library
- Saying Good-Bye to Grandma, Open Library
- What's Heaven?, Open Library
- Grandad's Island, Open Library
- Grandpa's Stories, Open Library
- Sophie, Open Library
- My Grandson Lew, Open Library
- Remembering Grandpa, Open Library
- Grandad's Prayers of the Earth, Open Library
- What's Happening to Grandpa?, Open Library
- The Remember Balloons, Open Library
- Old Pig, Open Library
- Annie and the Old One, Open Library
Written by the Rally Takes the Train team for Finding the Light After Loss, a library for adults grieving a mom or dad. General information, not medical or mental health advice. How we write about grief.