Kids’ books on loss by various authors and illustrators

c.2026, various publishers, $18.95 - $19.99, various page counts

Most of the time, you’re a pretty happy kid.

You’re busy, you love to play and be with your friends. But sometimes, bad things happen, there are people or things you’ll miss, and that makes you sad. Maybe you can find comfort in one of these heartfelt books to help you start to feel better…

For the kid whose loss was a long-awaited dream, “Where Is My Sister?” by Shannon Gibney, illustrations by Hyy Voun Lee (University of Minnesota Press, $18.95) is a good choice.

Salome had a sister. She just didn’t know her because, while mama’s tummy grew bigger and bigger, mama came home from the hospital with empty arms. The whole family was quiet, and “Salome didn’t like it.” She didn’t like that mama cried in the bathroom, either. Everybody gave Salome a different answer when she asked where her sister was, but the final answer was a comfort. This is a wrenching book that’s meant for 5-to-8-year-olds, but also for grieving parents who need to read it.

All good things must come to an end. That’s a hard lesson to learn, especially if you’re a kid, and “Lucky & Norman” by Susan Cain & Three Generations of the Cain Family, pictures by Stella Lim (Rocky Pond, $19.99) shows children that “goodbye” is natural, even when it really hurts.

Sam and Eli were very happy: the farm vacation their family was on included animals – donkeys, specifically, and the boys were very excited to make friends with the animals, although Lucky and Norman weren’t quite as eager, and that was sad. One day, though, Sam and Eli won the donkeys over. It started out slow – just a few pets – and the donkeys began to trust the boys. That was the day when they all started having lots of fun playing together.

But vacations end, and so do friendships. Sam and Eli’s family had to go home for the summer, and the boys had to say goodbye to their furry playmates. How can a 5-to-8-year-old ever learn to leave a friend without breaking their heart? Parents will want to find out, too.

Along the same lines, but for slightly smaller children, “Goodbye, Koi” by Jack Wong (Orchard Books, $19.99) is a great farewell for the younger set.

The family’s packed. There are boxes everywhere, and a small boy must leave his Koi fish behind as the family embarks on a new chapter in their lives. What will his fish think of the move to another aquarium? Will they get along with other fish? This is a gentle, bittersweet book for kids ages 3-to-5, especially if they must relinquish a pet.

If these books are not quite right for your little one, or if they don’t exactly fit the situation, then head to your favorite bookstore or library and ask the staff there for help. They’ll be able to find just what you need to read to your child, to explain, to prepare, or to comfort. They’ll help any kid start to feel better.