October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time that can stir up deep emotions for so many families. Navigating the death of a baby is a difficult task, especially when you are not only navigating your own grief but also the grief of the baby’s siblings.
It can be hard to know how to support them when your own grief weighs on you. Kids often have big feelings and even bigger questions, but they don’t always have the tools to express them.
One gentle way to support them through these tough emotions is through stories. Books can open doors for conversation, provide comfort, and remind them that love and memory continue even after death. Below is a list of books that can help you and your family work through your grief journey together and honor the sibling/child.
We recommend that adults read through the books before reading them to or giving them to children. Sometimes books can trigger grief, which is normal and okay as we honor our grief. At the same time, it is better to have this happen before you read it to your child. Reading it first allows you to know what to expect.
If feelings do come, talk about them, normalize them, and find safe ways to process them. That is the grief journey.
Dear Star Baby by Malcolm Newsome
This story is through the lens of a young boy whose mother experiences a miscarriage and how he processes his grief with his parents. It gently validates children’s feelings while reminding them they are not alone.
A heartfelt story that celebrates the enduring bond between siblings, even when a sister is gone too soon.
Dancing on the Moon by Janice Roper
This story is tailored towards families grieving the death of a baby to SIDS. This book offers a simple, comforting way for children to understand and honor their sibling’s memory.
Perfectly Imperfect Family by Amie Lands
This story is particularly meaningful for families who have welcomed children after experiencing infant loss. It emphasizes that even siblings who were never met remain an important part of the family’s story.
My Sibling Still by Megan Lacourrege
Available in both English and Spanish, this book validates the love and grief of siblings after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.
I’m Still a Big Sister by Brittany Day
A gentle reminder for children that their role as a sibling is never erased by death.
There was a Baby by Laura Camerona
This book helps young children understand pregnancy loss in an age-appropriate way, while affirming that their feelings are normal and important.
I Miss the Baby by Irma G Prosser
Written in simple, clear language, this story acknowledges the sadness that comes with losing a sibling and offers space for healing conversations.
I Am STILL a Big Brother by Bella Mody
Affirms the identity and importance of a surviving sibling, helping children feel included and seen in their family’s story.
Buzzy the Bee: A Story of Sibling Love and Loss by Katy Bone
Through the story of a family of bees, this book offers a warm and relatable way for children to explore feelings of love, grief, and remembrance following the death of a sibling.