Grief, Loss & Separation
Stories that help children understand loss, separation, change and the many emotions that can come with missing someone we love.
The Invisible String
Author: Patrice Karst
Focus: Grief, connection, separation, foster care, deployment, divorce.
A gentle story that helps children understand that love and connection continue even when people are apart.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
This is one of the books I most often recommend when children are experiencing separation, grief, foster care transitions, or family change. The language is simple, comforting, and often helps children talk about feelings that can be difficult to put into words.
Best for: Ages 4–10
🏡 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
▶️Watch Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auO15iesZTM
The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself
Author: Ali Redford
Focus: Grief, trauma, emotional safety, trust, connection.
A gentle story about a boy who protects himself by building a wall around his heart after difficult experiences. Over time, through patience and kindness, he learns it may be safe to let others in again.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
This book can be helpful for children who have experienced loss, trauma, foster care, family separation, or other experiences that have left them feeling guarded or disconnected.
Best for: Ages 5–12
🏡 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
▶️Watch Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DPOUXUl3So
My Big Dumb Invisible Dragon
Author: Angie Lucas
Focus: Grief, loss, coping, remembrance.
A heartfelt story that helps children understand grief as something that stays with us but changes over time. The "dragon" becomes a powerful metaphor for carrying loss while continuing to grow and live.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
I often recommend this book when children are trying to make sense of a death or significant loss. It gives language and imagery to feelings that can be difficult to explain.
Best for: Ages 6–12
🏡 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
▶️Watch Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He21Dobemxs
I'm Happy-Sad Today
Author: Lory Britain
Focus: Mixed emotions, emotional awareness, emotional literacy.
A reassuring book that helps children understand that it is normal to experience more than one feeling at the same time. It encourages children to recognise, name, and accept their emotions without judgement.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Many children experiencing loss, separation, family change, or uncertainty find themselves feeling lots of different emotions at once. This book gently reminds children that it is okay to feel happy and sad, excited and worried, or hopeful and disappointed all at the same time.
Best for: Ages 4–10
🏡 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
▶️Watch Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmZ37MBQdG0
For The House That Walked Away
Author: Simon Howe
Focus: Belonging, home, connection, identity, family change.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Sometimes children aren't just looking for a place to live—they're looking for a place to belong. This gentle story follows a wandering house searching for where it feels at home. I often recommend this book for children experiencing family changes, foster or kinship care, moving house, or times when they are wondering where they fit in the world.
Best for: Ages 4–10
🏡 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand
Author: Dr Pat Palmer
Focus: Grief, loss, separation, change, emotional healing.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Children experience many different types of loss throughout their lives. Whether it is the death of a loved one, separation from a parent, the loss of a friendship or a significant life change, this gentle book helps children understand that grief can bring many different feelings and that healing happens gradually with support, connection and time.
Best for: Ages 5–10
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library