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Books About the Death of a Pet

Many kids experience serious loss for the first time when a pet dies. Books that deal with this sad event can help prepare them and make it easier for them to process their feelings. These compelling stories can even help kids cope with the death of a family member or friend. For more books that deal with death and animals, see our Books About Grief and Best Animal Books for Kids lists.

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Big Cat, Little Cat Poster Image
BOOK

Big Cat, Little Cat

age 3+

Strikingly designed tale of cat-kitten friendship.

By: Elisha Cooper (2017)
The Goodbye Book Poster Image
BOOK

The Goodbye Book

age 3+

Comforting story about grief, loss, and finding joy again.

By: Todd Parr (2015)
Koko's Kitten Poster Image
BOOK

Koko's Kitten

age 3+

Amazing true story of pet loss helps kids understand grief.

Bluebird Poster Image
BOOK

Bluebird

age 6+

Striking, vibrant tale of friendship, bullying, and loss.

By: Bob Staake (2013)
The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook Poster Image
BOOK

The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook

age 8+

Realistic story of girl coping with sick cat, dad's death.

By: Joanne Rocklin (2012)
Love That Dog Poster Image
BOOK

Love That Dog

age 8+

Boy pours his grief into poetry in moving free-verse gem.

By: Sharon Creech (2004)
The Penderwicks in Spring Poster Image
BOOK

The Penderwicks in Spring

age 8+

Charming family series spotlights Batty in 4th volume.

By: Jeanne Birdsall (2015)
Short Poster Image
BOOK

Short

age 8+

Small girl grows inside in funny, inspiring theater tale.

Where the Red Fern Grows Poster Image
BOOK

Where the Red Fern Grows

age 9+

Tearjerker about country boy and his hound dogs.

By: Wilson Rawls (1961)
Welcome to Dog Beach Poster Image
BOOK

Welcome to Dog Beach

age 9+

Tween girls learn to accept change in light summer read.

By: Lisa Greenwald (2014)
Paper Wishes Poster Image
BOOK

Paper Wishes

age 9+

Sad, soulful story of grieving girl interned during WWII.

By: Lois Sepahban (2016)
The Twistrose Key Poster Image
BOOK

The Twistrose Key

age 10+

Magical animal-afterlife adventures of a girl and her mouse.

By: Tone Almhiell (2013)
Wonder Book Cover: A white face, featureless except for one blue eye, against a light blue background
BOOK

Wonder

age 10+

Moving tale of facially different boy with inner beauty.

By: R.J. Palacio (2012)
Sounder Poster Image
BOOK

Sounder

age 12+

Sharecropper boy finds hope, dignity amid racism, hardship.