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Ghost Cat by Atteberry, KevanCall Number: J PIC
There is a ghost in my house. I've only seen it out of the corner of my eye, but I think it is a cat, says a little boy in this comforting tale of love and loss. There's something oddly familiar about this ghost cat--it does lots of things that remind the boy of the cat he used to have. The boy's not sure why the ghost cat never stays for more than a few moments, or why the ghost cat has visited him in the first place. He follows the ghost cat all over his house, until finally it leads him to something new and wonderful.
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Up in Heaven (dog) by Chichester Clark, EmmaCall Number: J PIC
Arthur's dog Daisy is very old, and one night, after going to sleep as usual, she wakes up in heaven. Because Daisy knows that Arthur is sad, she finds a way to let him know she is very happy, the first step toward making him happy again, too.
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Big Cat, Little Cat by Cooper, ElishaCall Number: J PIC
There was a cat who lived alone. Until the day a new cat came . . . And so a story of friendship begins, following two cats through their days, months, and years until one day, the older cat has to go. And he doesn't come back. The family mourn along with the black cat. But soon a little white cat arrives, and the now-big black cat teaches it all the same lessons.
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Bear Island (dog) by Cordell, MatthewCall Number: J PIC
Louise and her family are sad over the loss of their beloved dog, Charlie. "Life will not be the same," Louise says, as she visits a little island that Charlie loved. But on a visit to the island after Charlie's death, something strange happens: She meets a bear. At first, she's afraid, but soon she realizes that the bear is sad, too. As Louise visits more often, she realizes that getting over loss takes time. And just when she starts to feel better, it's time for Bear to bed down for the winter. Once again, Louise believes that life will not be the same. But sometimes, things can change for the better, and on the first warm day of spring, her family welcomes a new member.
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Paws + Edward (dog) by Dekko, EspenCall Number: J PIC
Paws + Edward is a dog-and-his-boy story, told from Paws' perspective. Paws is an old dog whose rabbit-chasing is limited to his dreams nowadays. When Paws dies, Edward is lost without his loyal companion, but finds solace and even happiness in his own memories and dreams of Paws
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Ocho Loved Flowers (cat) by Fontaine, AnneCall Number: J PARENT
Ocho was a busy cat. He was Annie's best friend, and he loved flowers! Annie's love for Ocho helped her learn how to care for him...at a time when it mattered most.
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My Old Pal, Oscar (dog) by Hest, AmyCall Number: J PIC
After a young boy's beloved pet passes away, he encounters an adorable stray dog on the beach. The boy tries to walk away and ignore the cuddly creature, but the puppy continues to follow him, undeterred. Though the boy is still dealing with the pain of his loss and feels afraid to care about a new pet again, as the two walk the sand together, the boy slowly opens himself up to the joy of having a new dog in his life and making peace with the past.
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My Pig Amarillo by Ichikawa, SatomiCall Number: J PIC
Pablito, a Guatemalan boy whose pet pig Amarillo has disappeared, uses a kite to send him a message that he still loves him.
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Goodbye Mog (cat) by Kerr, JudithCall Number: J PIC
Although Mog dies on the first page ("Mog was tired. She was dead tired.- Mog thought, `I want to sleep for ever.' And so she did"), the cat stays around for the duration of the story in the form of a spirit, thinking that the family won't be able to get along without her.
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Tulip and Lupin Forever (fairy and her pet bee) by Levert, MireilleCall Number: J PIC
Tulip the watering fairy and her best friend Lupin, a honey-making dog-bee, cultivate their fields and make delicious honey. When Lupin grows old and dies, Tulip is bereft. After a long journey, and the help of a river, the sea, and a friendly tortoise, Tulip is finally ready to start living again. When she returns home, a puppy-bee is waiting for her; eager for his turn in the field.
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The Rough Patch (dog) by Lies, BrianCall Number: J PIC
Farmer Evan and his dog do everything together and, especially, in the garden but when his dog passes away Evan lets his garden fill with weeds until a pumpkin vine brings new hope.
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Big Cat Pepper by Partridge, ElizabethCall Number: J PIC
Big Cat Pepper has always been part of the family, but after he grows very old and dies, the boy who loves him comes to understand his mother's reassurance that "his spirit is forever and can fly, fly, fly."
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Where Lily Isn't (dog) by Paschkis, JulieCall Number: J PIC
Lily ran and jumped and barked and whimpered and growled and wiggled and wagged and licked and snuggled. But not now. It is hard to lose a pet. There is sadness, but also hope--for a beloved pet lives on in your heart, your memory, and your imagination.
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When a Pet Dies by Rogers, FredCall Number: J PARENT
Explores the feelings of frustration, sadness, and loneliness that a youngster may feel when a pet dies
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Cat Heaven by Rylant, CynthiaCall Number: J PIC
God created Cat Heaven, with fields of sweet grass where cats can play, kitty-toys for them to enjoy, and angels to rub their noses and ears.
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Dog Heaven by Rylant, CynthiaCall Number: J PIC
God created Dog Heaven, a place where dogs can eat ice cream biscuits, sleep on fluffy clouds, and run through unending fields.
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Here in the Garden by Stewart, BrionyCall Number: J PIC
As a young boy mourns the loss of his pet rabbit, he reminisces about the fun times they shared and is reassured that his beloved friend lives on "in the memories, in the garden, in my heart".
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Sammy in the Sky (dog) by Walsh, BarbaraCall Number: J PIC
A little girl tells about her special pet, Sammy, "the best hound dog in the whole world," and how, after he becomes sick and dies, she comes to know the truth of her mother's words, that Sammy's spirit is everywhere
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I'll Always Love You (dog) by Wilhelm, HansCall Number: J PIC
In this gentle, moving story, Elfie, a dachshund, and her special boy progress happily through life together. One morning Elfie does not wake up. The family grieves and buries her. The watercolor illustrations, tender and warm in color and mood, suit the simple text perfectly.
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The Old Dog by Zolotow, CharlotteCall Number: J PIC
When a young boy finds his old dog dead one morning, he spends the rest of the day thinking about all the good times they had together.
Death - People
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Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute? by Barber, ElkeCall Number: J PARENT
This book provides reassurance and understanding to readers through clear and honest answers to the difficult questions that can follow the death of a loved one, and carries the invaluable message that it is okay to be sad, but it is okay to be happy, too.
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Grandpa's Stories by Coelho, JosephCall Number: J PARENT
A young girl reflects on a year of exploring and laughing with her beloved Grandpa, remembering many special moments as she seeks a way to honor him after his death.
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Birds of a Feather (grandfather) by Crice, TomCall Number: J PARENT
In this thoughtful story of loss and recovery a young boy's happy life is interrupted when his grandfather passes away. Suddenly his world is full of big questions and difficult emotions. Will things ever be normal again? For a time he struggles with his thoughts and feelings. Then one day, during a chance encounter on the subway, he makes a wonderful new connection...
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The Pond (father) by Davies, NicolaCall Number: J PARENT
A young boy and his family are trying to overcome the loss of his father. The natural world becomes part of the healing process.
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Is Grandpa Wearing a Suit? by Fried, AmelieCall Number: J PARENT
Bruno's grandfather has passed away. Bruno participates in the funeral with the grown-ups, but doesn't think his grandfather has died, he's just sleeping!
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The Funeral (uncle/general) by James, MattCall Number: J PIC
Norma and her parents are going to her great-uncle Frank's funeral, and Norma is more excited than sad. She is looking forward to playing with her favorite cousin, Ray, but when she arrives at the church, she is confronted with rituals and ideas that have never occurred to her before. While not all questions can be answered, when the day is over Norma is certain of one thing -- Uncle Frank would have enjoyed his funeral.
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Ghost Wings (grandmother) by Joosse, Barbara M.Call Number: J HOLIDAY [Day of the Dead]
While celebrating the Days of the Dead, a young Mexican girl remembers her wonderful grandmother who sang songs, made tortillas, chased monsters away, and loved butterflies.
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Saying Good-Bye to Uncle Joe by Loewen, NancyCall Number: J PARENT
When someone you love dies, you might feel sad, lonely, and confused. What do you do? No matter who your loved one was, this story can help you through the tough times.
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Ben's Flying Flowers (brother) by Maier, Inger M.Call Number: J PARENT
Emily introduces her younger brother, Ben, to butterflies, which he calls "flying flowers," and when his illness makes him too weak to go see them she draws him pictures, but after his death she no longer wants to draw happy things. Includes note to parents.
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Lifetimes by Mellonie, BryanCall Number: J PARENT
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 tells us about beginnings. And about endings. And about living in between.
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Always Remember (friend) by Meng, CeceCall Number: J PIC
After Old Turtle swims his last swim and breathes his last breath, and the waves gently take him away, his friends lovingly remember how he impacted each and every one of them. As the sea animals think back on how much better Old Turtle made their lives and their world, they realize that he is not truly gone, because his memory and legacy will last forever.
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Gentle Willow (friend) by Mills, Joyce C.Call Number: J PARENT
Amanda the squirrel is upset that she is going to lose her friend Gentle Willow, but the tree wizards give advice that help both her and Gentle Willow accept the change that comes with death.
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A Story for Hippo (friend) by Puttock, SimonCall Number: J PIC
Hippo and Monkey are best, best, best friends and when the wise old Hippo dies, Monkey is very sad until Chameleon helps him remember the stories he and Hippo shared.
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Goodbye, Grandpa by Rijken, JellekeCall Number: J PARENT
Bear and Grandpa are going fishing today. But where is Grandpa? Bear's friends gently tell him that Grandpa has died, and together they say goodbye.
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Mama by Schick, EleanorCall Number: J PARENT
A child remembers special moments with Mama and starts to feel better after grieving over her death.
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Zayde Comes to Live (grandfather) by Sinykin, Sheri CooperCall Number: J PIC
When Rachel's beloved grandfather, Zayde, comes to spend his last days with her family, she worries what will happen when he dies, especially after friends tell her the Christian and Muslim beliefs about the afterlife.
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The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden (father) by Smith, HeatherCall Number: J PIC
When the tsunami destroyed Makio's village, Makio lost his father . . . and his voice. The entire village is silenced by grief, and the young child's anger at the ocean grows. Then one day his neighbor, Mr. Hirota, begins a mysterious project--building a phone booth in his garden. At first Makio is puzzled; the phone isn't connected to anything. It just sits there, unable to ring. But as more and more villagers are drawn to the phone booth, its purpose becomes clear to Makio: the disconnected phone is connecting people to their lost loved ones. Makio calls to the sea to return what it has taken from him and ultimately finds his voice and solace in a phone that carries words on the wind. Inspired by a true story.
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Saturdays Are for Stella (grandmother) by Wellins, CandyCall Number: J PIC
George loves Saturdays. That's because Saturdays mean time with Grandma Stella. The two of them love going on adventures downtown to visit the dinosaur museum and ride on the carousel! Even when they stay in, George and Stella have fun together, making cinnamon rolls without popping open a tube and sharing the biggest, best hugs.Then one day Stella is gone, and George is ready to cancel Saturdays. But when a new addition to the family arrives, George finds a way to celebrate the priceless memories he made with his grandma--while making new ones too.
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City Dog, Country Frog (friend) by Willems, MoCall Number: J PIC
Spare, poignant, and ultimately upbeat, this tale depicts the natural cycle of friendship from an enthusiastic first encounter to contented companionship to the heartbreak of loss and eventual emotional renewal. Presented with a comfortingly consistent narrative structure, the events are set against the backdrop of the changing seasons, reassuring readers that winter will turn again to spring, sadness to joy.
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