Death and grief can be a challenge to talk about at any age or time. The following titles might help to start those difficult conversations. Simpler books are at the top of the list, but might appeal to a wider audience. Books for older readers are toward the bottom.

For additional suggestions, or for resources specific to any given situation, please ask a Reference Librarian or use our May We Suggest service.

Death features in everyone's life, in one way or another. There are many books that discuss small-d death. But occasionally Death himself (sometimes herself) takes center stage. One lovely picture book that features Death as a character can be found on MeL: Death, Duck, and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch. More books in which the reader meets Death can be found below.