Skip to content

We dispatch orders on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please click here to see more details.

Orders dispatched Mon, Wed & Fri
Welsh books for children dealing with grief, loss and bereavement
July 25, 2024 Lowri Roberts Jones

Welsh books for children dealing with grief, loss and bereavement

Books can be used to introduce death and grief to children.  By choosing books suitable for individual circumstances, they can also be used to help bereaved children to feel less alone and make sense of confusing and sad emotions. 

The image above shows our joint-founder, Linda (aka Nain Draenog) with her beloved grand-children Lluan and Ynyr.  Linda passed away in January 2023 and some of the books below, and others, provided comfort and help to us as a family:

Teimladau Mawr Bach: Pan dwi’n Drist

A Welsh adaptation by Elin Meek of When I am Sad that helps young children to start managing their emotions. They can lift the flaps, slide the tabs and turn the wheel to explore why they feel sad and how to move on from these emotions.

  • Hardback
  • Suitable for children under 5 years old

Blodau Aur i Dreigyn 

This book offers support to children who are preparing for the death of a sibling, or coping after this, including those with an undiagnosed or rare condition. By concentrating on how Dreigyn's illness and death affects her brother and sister, the book normalises confusing emotions which can feel overwhelming to children who are facing a similar situation. Includes an information section, written by a paediatric palliative care nurse, which includes questions the children can discuss with adults

  • Loss of a sibling
  • Suitable for children aged 9-11 or can be read to younger children. 

Siwmper Mam

If Mum has gone, how do you carry on? Missing her feels like a dark cloud that follows you around, or like swimming to a shore that never comes any nearer. But memories are like a jumper that you can cuddle and wear. And Mum's jumper might be a way to keep her close. A simple, heartfelt and ultimately uplifting book for anyone coping with loss.

  • Loss of a parent (mother)
  • Suitable for children under 7 years old

Petai’r Byd i Gyd 

Grandpa gives me rainbow pencils, and tells me: Write and draw pictures, write and draw pictures of all your dreams. A charming picture book about the love between a young girl and her grandfather, and about keeping that love alive through memories.

"The story succeeds to find a balance between longing for loss and delighting in life and celebrating memories. It also succeeds to present loss and the way we miss our loved ones side-by-side with the comfort we get from memories."

  • Loss of a grandparent (grandfather)
  • Suitable for children under 7 years old

Llyfr Trist 

Who's sad? Anyone can be sad. Sadness comes from nowhere and finds you. There are sad things in everyone's lives - you may be feeling sad this minute as you read this. Michael Rosen is mainly sad when he thinks of his son, Eddie, who died. In this book, he writes about his sadness, how it affects him and about some of the things he does in order to cope with the sadness.

  • Suitable for children under 7 years old

Does ond un fel fi: Llythyr caru oddi wrth Mam

This is a love letter to her daughters from Lisa in the form of a tender poem, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri. It is also a declaration of the strength of the steadfast love between a parent and child, and sums up an eternal message to all families facing the challenges of the loss of a loved one.

Lisa received a diagnosis of terminal colon and liver cancer in December 2017. She was determined to leave a legacy of love for her daughters, and inspired by her life-long love of writing, she collaborated with the award-winning children's author Michelle Robinson to create Does Ond Un Fel Fi.

'An unique and special book.' Konrad Jacobs, Consultant Child Psychologist, Oxford University Hospitals

     

    • Loss of a parent (mother)
    • Suitable for children under 7 years old

     

     

    Does ond un fel fi: Llythyr caru oddi wrth Dad 

    This is a love letter to her daughters from Lisa, in the form of a tender poem illustrated by Tim Budgen. It is also a declaration of the strength of the steadfast love between parent and child, and sums up an eternal message to all families facing the challenges of the loss of a loved one.

    'An unique and special book.' Konrad Jacobs, Consultant Child Psychologist, Oxford University Hospitals

    • Loss of a parent (father)
    • Suitable for children under 7 years old

     

     

    Y Pwll

    A Welsh adaptation by Mary Jones of The Pool by Nicola Davies, being a touching picture book about a young boy and his family, who comes to terms with the loss of his father by spending time at a small pond in the garden. The emotional story, brimming with colourful imagery, will teach children not only about death and loss, but about the importance of the natural world.

    • Loss of a parent (father)
    • Suitable for children under 7 years old

    Tedi Bêr y Sêr 

    Jack and Bear were best friends. They did everything and went everywhere together. But one day, Bear disappeared... A beautiful story of love, loss and moving forward, inspired by the true story of a seven year old, autistic boy called Jack and his beloved Bear. A single tweet went viral and touched the hearts of people around the globe. A Welsh adaptation by Non Tudur.

    • Suitable for children under 7 years old

     

     

    Het Gynnes Tad-Cu 

    A story about the close relationship between Tad-cu (Grandad) and Wil as they go for a walk hand in hand in the mountains on a cold winter's day. Tad-cu's woolly hat is a symbol of the bond of love between them.

    • Loss of a grandparent (grandfather)
    • Suitable for children under 7 years old

    We hope this list of Welsh books has helped you, but if you've got any questions at all, or any more suggestions, please get in touch.

    More information: