Children’s Books on the Loss of a Pet
Reading children’s books about the loss of a pet can help children understand their emotions and come to terms with their grief.
The loss of a pet can be a heartbreaking experience for children, and parents are often at a loss for words in how to explain death to their children.
Read together to help begin and support the healing process.
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You can find these children’s books about the loss of a pet at your local library or through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.

Pets are often seen as members of the family, and their absence can leave a void in a child’s life.
Coping with the loss of a pet can be challenging, and finding the right words to explain death and grief can be difficult for parents and caregivers.
Children’s books about the loss of a pet can help children navigate the difficult emotions that come with saying goodbye to a furry friend.
Related Article: When my son’s beloved Beta fish died, here’s how we helped him handle his grief.

Children's Books about the Loss of a Pet
"When our pets aren't with us anymore, an Invisible Leash connects our hearts to each other. Forever."
That's what Zack's friend Emily tells him after his dog dies. Zack doesn't believe it. He only believes in what he can see.
But on an enlightening journey through their neighborhood — and through his grief—he comes to feel the comforting tug of the Invisible Leash. And it feels like love.
Adrian Raeside captures the special bond between humans and their pets, and with marvelous illustrations, brings a gentle humor to a story that will resonate with children and pet lovers of all ages.
Adrian Raeside has created a magical tale of adventure for pet lovers of all ages in The Rainbow Bridge. Using his gift for creating spunky characters, Raeside has created a valuable fable for anyone who cherishes the companionship of a family pet.
Elfie the dachshund is the best dog anyone could every ask for. Every day, she and her owner explore and play together. And every night, her owner tells her "I'll always love you."
Elfie and her owner grow up togther, but growing up can mean having to say goodbye to the ones you love. This tender story is a perfect way to make the topic of loss a little less scary for kids (and grownups).
In Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant's classic bestseller, the author comforts readers young and old who have lost a dog, as she did for cats in the bestselling companion book, CAT HEAVEN. Recommended highly by pet lovers around the world, DOG HEAVEN not only comforts but also brings a tear to anyone who is devoted to a pet.
A young girl and her lovable dog, Lulu, are the best of friends and do everything together. As Lulu ages and starts to slow down the girl shows her compassion by making Lulu comfortable in her bed and helping to feed her.
When Lulu dies the caring, young girl must comes to terms with her loss and find a way to say goodbye.
In this useful book from the First Experience series, the affable star of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood helps children share feelings of the loss of a pet while offering reassurance that grieving is a natural, healing thing to do.
The loss of a pet is heartbreaking. But in the heaven of animals, the love you have for your animal friends lives on.
National-bestselling author Nancy Tillman's message of comfort will help readers of all ages through the process of grieving and healing.
With a gentle, playful rhyme, Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant explores all the ways our beloved cats enjoy Cat Heaven, as she did for dogs in the bestselling companion book, DOG HEAVEN.
Her shining artwork illustrates a world of peace for cats in Heaven, where no tree is too tall for exploring, where there is no lack of angels' laps for sleeping.
“Dogs in Heaven” was created to help families find hope in knowing that just like us, dogs move on to a better place after their time here on Earth is over.
This beautiful place is filled with endless treats to eat, sloppy puppy kisses to give and miles and miles of green grass to run and play. And even after our beloved pets have earned their angel wings, we often see them in the clouds of white and in the stars at night.