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Thinking Man on Couch
Books on Child Loss

Books Addressing Grief

Personal Narrative

Nisha Zenoff, The Unspeakable Loss

A guide to hope and healing after the death of a child, from a grief counsellor and psychotherapist who has been there. Nisha Zenoff lost her son in a tragic accident when he was just 17 years old. Now, with decades of experience as a grief counsellor and psychotherapist, she offers support and guidance from her own journey and from others who have experienced the death of a child.

Personal Narrative

Alexandra Fuller, Fi: A Memoir of My Son

The story of a mother grieving the sudden loss of her twenty-one-year-old child - from the award-winning and bestselling memoirist of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

Personal Narrative

Joan Didion, Blue Nights: A powerful parenting journey through adversity and healing

Several days before Christmas 2003, Joan Didion’s only daughter, Quintana, fell seriously ill. In 2010, Didion marked the sixth anniversary of her daughter’s death. ‘Blue Nights’ is a shatteringly honest examination of Joan Didion’s life as a mother, a woman and a writer.

Coping Strategies and Support

Alan Wolfelt's, Healing a Parents Grieving Heart 

100 practical ideas for embracing grief and finding healing.  Suggestions include writing letters to the deceased child or creating memorials, helping parents navigate their grief journey.

Coping Strategies and Support

Gary Roe's, Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child

Draws from his experience as a hospice chaplain and grief specialist. It addresses the emotional impact of child loss, offering guidance for dealing with unpredictable emotions, family dynamics, and spiritual uncertainties.

Coping Strategies and Support

John W James and Russell Friedman, The Grief Recovery Handbook

The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman provides practical advice on processing grief, including exercises designed to help navigate the healing journey.

Coping Strategies and Support

Joanne Cacciatore: Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief

Draws on the author's experience as a bereavement counsellor and parent, offering compassionate insights for grieving parents.

Coping Strategies and Support

Megan Devine, It's OK That You're Not OK

Takes an honest look at grief, challenging societal expectations and validating the complex emotions that accompany loss.

Coping Strategies and Support

Harold S Dushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Explores the nature of suffering, loss, and faith, offering comfort and hope for those struggling to understand their grief.

Coping Strategies and Support

Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D, I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye

Provides practical guidance and emotional support for those facing the sudden loss of a loved one, focusing on coping and healing.

Personal Narrative, Coping Strategies and Support

Cathy Whittall, Child Loss, A Comprehensive Guide to Coping with the Loss of a Child

Written by the creator of this website, Cathy is a Counsellor and bereaved parent who writes about the emotional and physical effects of grief and trauma, practical information, coping mechanisms and personal reflection.

Childrens Perspective

Michael Rosen, Sad Book

Chronicles his sorrow over the loss of his son, Eddie. Through a combination of text and Quentin Blake's evocative illustrations, the book captures the raw and multifaceted nature of grief, making it accessible for younger readers.

Childrens Perspective

Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

Tells the story of a young boy grappling with his mother’s terminal illness. Blending fantasy and reality, the novel delves into themes of loss, fear, and acceptance.

Anthologes and Guides

Written by nine mothers, Beyond Tears, Living After Losing a Child

Offers personal accounts and practical advice. This collection serves as a supportive guide for parents navigating similar tragedies.

Books addressing the profound grief of losing a child offer personal narratives, coping strategies, and reflections on the enduring impact of such a loss. These works emphasise the importance of acknowledging grief, finding support, and gradually moving toward healing.

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