Pottstown Library has resources to help children navigating grief and loss through books

If a child experiences the loss of a parent, relative or pet, books on the topic of grief or loss can be a valuable tool to help them process it and preserve their mental well-being.

They offer relatable stories that might be similar to their situation.

“It shows them that everyone goes through this, so they don’t feel alone,” said Caitlin Johnson, youth services coordinator at the Pottstown Regional Public Library. “It also shows them a story where the person going through the loss is OK.”

Collection of books

A couple of months ago, the Pottstown Regional Public Library decided to build a collection of books centered on grief and loss after experiencing an increase in requests for them.

“There was a surge of interest to help parents talk to their kids about grief and loss and we realized how much we wanted to grow this collection to help families out,” Johnson said.

Books centered on grief and loss are also useful to adults.

“They give adults the right vocabulary to use,” Johnson said. “Sometimes parents don’t know what words to use in a certain situation of loss and it helps them to explain it in simple terms.”

Johnson also said the books show parents that kids can process a lot more than adults give them credit for.

Different age ranges

In the Pottstown library’s effort to amass books on the topic for children through age 18, staff found a couple dozen books for different age ranges.

“Grief books for the younger child are harder to come by, but more and more publishers are catching on,” Johnson said.

They also wanted to make their grief and loss books easier for patrons to locate.

“Grief, death and loss is usually not in the title, so it’s hard to search for it in a library catalog,” Johnson said. “In our Youth Services Department, we have a binder of book recommendations, so a library assistant is creating a grief list to add to that binder.”

Books can help give children a healthier relationship with the concept of death.

“They show that it’s a normal and meaningful part of life,” Johnson says.

Topic of death

In addition to helpful books, she recommended a movie starring Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman that addresses death.

“’Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium’ is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve seen on the topic of death in a kid-friendly way,” she says.

Beyond acquiring their new collection, the Pottstown library is currently working with The Center for Loss and Bereavement in Skippack.

“They are helping us with a reading recommendation list and we can connect families with the resources they offer,” Johnson said. “We’re in the process of creating a partnership.”

Five books on grief and loss

The following book recommendations are available within the new grief and loss book collection at the Pottstown Regional Public Library:

• “Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss” by Azam Mahdavi. Picture book, age recommendation: 0-5

• “Always Remember” by Cece Meng. Picture book, age recommendation: 0-5

• “The Promise” by Jackie French Koller. First Chapter book, age recommendation: 6-8

• “Kaleidoscope” by Brian Selznick. A book of short stories, age recommendation: 9-12

• “Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir” by Tyler Feder. YA graphic novel, age recommendation: 13-18

Note: The Youth Services Department at the Pottstown Regional Public Library houses books for ages 0-18, which are generally organized as early literacy (0-5), juvenile (6-12), and young adult (13-18). The age ranges for these highlighted titles are recommendations only, and some books can crossover target audience age ranges.

Movie to watch on grief

• “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” directed by Zach Helm (starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman) – DVD, Rated G

The Center for Loss and Bereavement in Skippack provides support and hope on your journey with grief through guidance and the care you need to find strength through community and self-discovery. For more information, visit www.bereavementcenter.org

For more information about the Pottstown Regional Public Library, visit www.pottstownregionalpubliclibrary.org