Picture Books: When a Pet Dies

Buscaglia, Leo. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life For All Ages  J 155.4 BUS
As Freddie experiences the changing seasons along with his companion leaves, he learns about the delicate balance between life and death.

Clark, Emma Chichester. Up in Heaven  J PIC CLA
Arthur's dog Daisy is very old, and one night, after going to sleep as usual, she wakes up in heaven. Because Daisy knows that Arthur is sad, she finds a way to let him know she is very happy, the first step toward making him happy again, too.

Cochran, Bill. The Forever Dog J PIC COC
Mike and his dog Corky plan to be best friends forever, so when Corky becomes sick and dies, Mike is angry about the broken promise.

Cohen, Miriam.  Jim’s Dog Muffins  J PB C
When Jim’s dog is killed, the other first graders experience with him his natural reactions to death.

Demas, Corinne. Saying Goodbye to Lulu  J FIC DEM
When her dog Lulu dies, a girl grieves but then continues with her life.  A new puppy helps Lulu feel better at the end of the book.

DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne. A Dog Like Jack  J PIC DIS
After a long life of chasing squirrels, licking ice cream cones, and loving his adoptive family, an old dog comes to the end of his days.

Greenberg, Judith E. Sunny: The Death of a Pet   J 155.9 GRE
Bill is scared when his dog Sunny gets sick, but after her death a new puppy helps him stop grieving.

Howard, Ellen.  Murphy and Kate  J PIC HOW
Kate and her dog are best friends, and when Murphy dies Kate doesn’t think she can ever be happy again.

Joosse, Barbara M.  Better With Two  J PIC JOO
Laura tries to make Mrs. Brady feel better when her dog Max dies.

Morehead, Debby. A Special Place for Charlee: A Child’s Companion Through Pet Loss J PARENT’S CORNER 155.9 MOR

Newman, Leslea The Best Cat in the World  JPIC NEW
Victor is saddened by the death of his pet cat Charlie but agrees to give a new cat, Shelley, a chance.

Rogers, Fred.  When a Pet Dies  J PB R
Explores the feelings of sadness and loneliness a child may feel when a pet dies.

Viorst, Judith. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney   J PIC SMALL VIO
In an attempt to overcome his grief, a boy tries to think of the ten best things about his dead cat.

Wilhelm, Hans. I'll Always Love You  J PIC SMALL WIL and J PB W
A child's sadness at the death of a beloved dog is tempered by the remembrance of saying to it every night, "I'll always love you."

Zolotow, Charlotte. The Old Dog  J PIC ZOL
When a young boy finds his old dog dead one morning, he spends the rest of the day thinking about all the good times they had together.