Available booklists:
  King Solomon Death Holocaust
  Parenting Disabilities Passover

Jewish Books for Children Coping with Death

Compiled by Rabbi Amy R. Scheinerman

Ackerman, Karen, Just Like Max. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. When Great-Uncle Max, a tailor, becomes sick and can not longer operate his sewing maching, Aaron becomes his "hands" and together they create something special. The story is set in New York City, with a multi-generational immigrant family. (age 6+)

Gerstein, Mordicai, The Shadow of a Flying Bird. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 1994. A legend from the Jews of Kurdistan about the death of Moses, and how difficult it is to give up life.

Haas, Shelly O., Daddy's Chair. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1991. A young boy sits shiva with his family after his father's death, learning about jewish customs pertaining to the week of mourning, and coming to grips with his father's death.

Pachman, Ilene Munetz (illus. by Karen Ostrove), Like a Knot in My Shoelace. United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, 1999. This back-to-back book provides a version for boys and girls who are experiencing the loss or yahrzeit of a grandparent. There is "Seth's Version" and "Beth's Version." In both cases, a young child paints a picture of memories of a beloved grandfather, recalling the good times, the lessons Grandpa Morris taught, and the sadness of his death. The presence of parents, lighting a yahrzeit candle and helping the child to remember a grandparent with love, is felt throughout the book. This book can help young children with grief. (ages 4 - 7)

Pomerantz, Barbara, Bubby, Me, and Memories. New York: UAHC, 1983. This books helps children confront the feeling of loss when a loved one dies. A child evokes memories of her grandmother and learns to convert her pain into a positive memory.

Rosman, Steven, Deena the Damselfly. New York: UAHC, 1992. A damselfly nymph vowls to solve the mystery of why older nymphs are disappearing when they reach maturity, but she is not prepared for her own startling transformation. A celebration of change and the life cycle.