These books have a simple, yet profound way of capturing loss, while celebrating life
Blue
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Awards: American Library Association Children’s Notable Book, 2019; School Library Journal Best Books of 2018; Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibit Selection, 2018/2019; NPR Best Books of 2018; Wall Street Journal Best Books of 2018; Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of 2018; Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2018; CCBC Choices Best Books of 2018; Amazon Best Books of 2018; Evanston Public Library Best Books of 2018; Winner, Wanda Gag Read Aloud Award Honor Book, 2019
Rabbityness
Author: Jo Empson
Illustrator: Jo Empson
Publisher: Child’s Play
Recommended Age Range: 3 to 8
Rabbityness is a terrific story about a rabbit that does, well, “rabbit” and not so “rabbity” things, like painting and music. His love for “un-rabbity” things is contagious and soon all the rabbits are joining in, that is, until he disappears. While sadness ensues, the rabbits soon learn that rabbit’s gifts will always be with them, inspiring them to bring the same joy and beauty to others that he brought to them. A gem.
Awards: 2013 Independent Publisher Book Award – Children’s Picture (Silver Medal Winner); Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards – Bronze for Best Illustrator; ‘The Independent’ Books of the Year – 2012: Children’s books aged under 9; Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize; Nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal
Small in the City
Author: Sydney Smith
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Publisher: Neal Porter Books, Holiday House
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Awards: A Junior Library Guild Selection; A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Books of the Year
That’s Me Loving You
Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Teagan White
Publisher: Random House
Recommended Age Range: 3 to 7
The Boy and the Gorilla
Author: Jackie Azua Kramer
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Website
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for all Ages
Author: Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D.
Publisher: SLACK Incorporated
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Author: William Joyce
Illustrator: Joe Bluhm
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 9
A beautiful and heartfelt book about the wonder of stories and the power of words; a testament to the belief that all of us have a story to share.
Awards: Academy Award for Best Short Film (Animation), 2011
The Heart and the Bottle
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: Philomel Books, Penguin Young Readers Group
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Website
When a little girl experiences a tragic loss, she puts her heart in a bottle where it can never be hurt again. Yet, when a young child shows her the joy she is missing, she must make the brave decision to open herself, once more, to all the things her heart desires.
Awards: British Book Design Awards 2010 Winner; V&A Book Illustrated Award 2011 Winner
The House of Lost and Found
Author: Martin Widmark
Illustrator: Emilia Dziubak
Publisher: Floris Books
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
World On A String
Author: Larry Phifer
Illustrator: Danny Popovici
Publisher: Storytime Works
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 10
Website
When a little boy loses his beloved balloon, he learns that what is loved is never really lost; and that what changes our world always holds it up and makes it brighter. Forever.
Awards: 2013 Silver Medal Moonbeam Award in the Best Illustrator category; Writers’ League of Texas 2014 Discovery Prize (picture book category)