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Recommended Reading

A collection of works to help you HEAL your heart

We have selected the books listed here for you. You will find books that cater to all age groups and backgrounds as well as professional and educational works.

Please contact us if you would like assistance in choosing a book.

Jasper’s Day Jasper’s Day

Today Riley's family is celebrating Jasper's Day. Everything they do will be in honor of Jasper -- sort of like a birthday. But it isn't Jasper's birthday. The old dog's cancer has gotten really bad. Riley knows they can't let...

 Children, Family, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Marjorie Blain Parker
Koko’s Kitten Koko’s Kitten

Koko the gorilla uses sign language to talk to her handlers. When she asks for a pet, her handlers search high and low for the perfect companion.

 Children, Family, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Pre-school
The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet (The Invisible String) The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss...

From the author of the picture book phenomenon The Invisible String comes a moving companion title about coping with grief when a pet dies.

"When our pets aren't with us anymore, an Invisible Leash connects our hearts to each other. Forever." That's...

 Children, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Pre-school  Patrice Karst
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

My cat Barney died this Friday. I was very sad. My mother said we could have a funeral for him, and I should think of ten good things about Barney so I could tell them...
But the small boy...

 Children, Family, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Judith Viorst
Dog Heaven Dog Heaven

A comforting and playful exploration of a beloved dog's journey after a happy life on Earth.
In Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant's classic bestseller, the author comforts readers young and old who have lost a dog, as she did for...

 Children, Dog Lovers, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Pre-school  Cynthia Rylant
Lee and Limbo: Friends Come and Go, but Life Continues and Gets Better Lee and Limbo: Friends Come and Go, but Life Continues...

Animals, like human beings, experience deep emotional bonds, too.

 

Lee and Limbo is a story of genuine friendship and love between two cats in Chapel Hill, a beautiful, small University town in North Carolina where love abounds. When Lee...

 Children, Family, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Uzoma (Uzo) Rita Ezekwudo
Dear Brave Friend Dear Brave Friend

This gentle and heartwarming story captures the love between a boy and his dog, and the sadness that follows after his cherished dog passes away. Written in the form of a letter from the dog to the boy, the letter...

 Children, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Leigh Ann Gerk
Wolfie, What Is The Rainbow Bridge? Wolfie, What Is The Rainbow Bridge?

The love between a child and a dog is a precious bond. When it is time for our dogs to move on to the Rainbow Bridge, it can be a very sad and confusing time, especially for children. Wolfie, What...

 All Ages, Children, Dog Lovers, Family, Great Gift, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Dorothy Wills-Raftery
When You Have to Say Goodbye: Loving and Letting Go of Your Pet When You Have to Say Goodbye: Loving and Letting Go...

A child’s bond with a beloved animal is a powerful one. The loss of a pet due to illness or trauma can be a troubling time in a child’s life. “When You Have to Say Goodbye: Loving and Letting Go...

 Children, Family, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Monica Mansfield
The Forever Dog The Forever Dog

No one knows exactly what kind of dog Corky is, but if you ask his owner, Mike, the answer is simple: "He's my dog."

Mike and Corky are best friends; they do everything together. In fact they even make a plan. Mike...

 Children, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Pre-school  Bill Cochran
The Memory Box: A Book About Grief The Memory Box: A Book About Grief

I will always remember you . . .Joanna Rowland's best-selling The Memory Box: A Book about Grief has helped thousands of children and families work through the complex emotions that arise after the loss of a loved one. Now, with...

 Children, Family, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Joanna Rowler, Thea Baker
Pet Loss and Children: A Guide for Parents Pet Loss and Children: A Guide for Parents

This book is a much-needed resource for parents of pet-owning children. It contains information on the grief process in children as it pertains to pet death but also gives the most effective methods of explaining the pet's death and what...

 Children, Family, Guide, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Mary T Rochford Rose
Children and Pet Loss: A Guide for Helping Children and Pet Loss: A Guide for Helping

This guide is a practical tool for veterinarians, teachers, counselors, parents, grandparents and others who are in a position to help children cope with the loss of a pet. Topics include understanding children's attachment to their pets and the significance...

 Children, Guide, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Marty Tousley
I’ll Always Love You I’ll Always Love You

A gentle and moving story about losing a friend, and the importance of always expressing your love.

Elfie the dachshund is the best dog anyone could every ask for. Every day, she and her owner explore and play together. And...

 Children, Family, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Pre-school  Hans Wilhelm
Finding Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion Finding Peace After the Loss of a Loved Animal Companion

A spiritual guide and practical primer designed to help people of all ages and backgrounds cope with and recover from grief over the loss of beloved pet.

 Children, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Spiritual  Diane Pomerance PH.D.
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children

When the death of a relative, a friend, or a pet happens or is about to happen . . . how can we help a child to understand?

Lifetimes is a moving book for children of all ages, even parents too....

 Children, Family, Guide, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Bryan Mellonie
When Your Pet Dies: A Healing Handbook for Kids (Elf-help Books for Kids) When Your Pet Dies: A Healing Handbook for Kids (Elf-help...

Elf-help Books for Kids - Addressing the needs of children and the adults who care for them.

 Children, Family, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Self-Help  Victoria Ryan
Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler’s Guide to Understanding Death Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler’s Guide to Understanding Death

When a loved one dies, it can be hard to know how to explain it to a young child, particularly if you are grieving the loss yourself.

Something Very Sad Happened is intended to be read to two- and three-year-old children...

 Children, Family, Illustrated, Pet Loss & Bereavement, Pre-school  Bonnie Zucker
All God’s Creatures Go to Heaven All God’s Creatures Go to Heaven

The angel paintings of artist Nancy Noel beautifully portray Amy Nolfo-Wheeler's story of Jacob, a child angel on a journey of discovery. This keepsake book, in heavenly color, features a glow-in-the-dark cover. An inspiring message of hope and joy for...

 Children, Pet Loss & Bereavement  N.A. Noel
Let’s Talk About When Your Pet Dies (The Let’s Talk Library) Let’s Talk About When Your Pet Dies (The Let’s Talk...

Describes the feelings that you might have when your pet dies and discusses how to cope with these feelings

 Children, Pet Loss & Bereavement  Marianne Johnston

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Exclusive Members-Only Webinar:

A conversation on the human face of shelter and rescue work with Dillon Dodson

Join us for this exciting event
We are delighted to invite you to an exclusive members-only webinar featuring Dillon Dodson, veterinary social worker, Director of Social Work at the Toronto Humane Society, and Vice President of our partner organization, the International Association of Veterinary Social Work. This special event is designed to shine a light on the human side of animal welfare work in rescues and shelters.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 30th, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM, ET
Platform:  Zoom (registration required)

Celebrate Rainbow Bridge
Remembrance Day

Join the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement today and create a special online memorial for your pet. Enjoy 20% off a Silver or Platinum membership— offer ends September 7.

Discount is automatically applied at checkout

Rainbow Bridge
Memorial Celebration

In honor of Rainbow Bridge Memorial Day (August 28), we are offering a 20% discount on Silver and Platinum memberships throughout the entire month of August.

By joining us, you will have the unique opportunity to create a lasting online memorial for your pet, complete with photos and stories you can cherish.

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, on December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.