Children's Book About Grief: Freddie the Leaf

How 'The Fall of Freddie the Leaf' Helped Me Cope with Loss as a Child

I was in the 4th grade when I was first introduced to Leo Buscaglia. I met him through his book, “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf,” a sweet little story about a leaf’s journey through the cycle of life, from spring to winter (birth to death).
 
I was pretty close to Mrs. D., the counselor at my elementary school (many of the students were…she was a special lady). When a relative passed away that school year, I was called into her office to talk about how I was feeling.

I remember after we finished talking, Mrs. D. pulled “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf” from the shelf in her office and said I could borrow it to read at home. It had colorful photographs of trees and leaves all throughout as it described Freddie and his navigation through the myriad thoughts and emotions that come with growing up, finding your purpose, and growing older.
 
As summer turned to fall, Freddie saw himself and all his leaf friends around him changing colors. Eventually, Freddie watched as his friends let go and fall to the ground, one by one. He inevitably began to wonder what would happen when he too finally fell from the sturdy, safe branch he had known his whole existence.
 
And he wondered what it would feel like to make that fall.
 
The book ends by providing a description of Freddie’s experience with his own "death." It details it as a gentle fall and one with which Freddie can find peace even without knowing that his body will be providing nutrients for the tree as it prepares for the next spring. It’s an appropriate read for all ages, especially for children when they begin to have questions about death or what it’s like to die (and it’s normal for children to be curious).
 
I don't know why, but for some reason, I never got Mrs. D. her book back. She never asked for it back, either.
 
Elementary school ended, and I moved on to junior high, high school, and then eventually graduated. I kept “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf” through all those years, looking back through it every now and then. It was such a simple, comforting read and over time had become one of my favorite books.
 
One day we got the sad news that our beloved counselor had died in a car accident. I had not seen Mrs. D. in some years but mourned the sweet memories I had of her. I remembered that I still had her book, and felt pretty bad that I’d never returned it to her.
 
But then, picking up the book and reading it again in light of her death made me realize that she would have been glad that I still had it now…it was still providing me comfort even in adulthood.

About Freddie the Leaf the Book

Freddie’s creator was Leo Buscaglia, also known as “Dr. Love.” He was a professor and motivational speaker who was, for lack of a better comparison, a kind of Mr. Rogers in his own right.

Besides “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf,” he is the author of several other books, including “Loving Each Other: The Challenge of Human Relationships,” “Living, Loving, and Learning” and “Bus 9 to Paradise”.
 
Mr. Buscaglia passed away in 1998, but he lives on in this little gem of a story…and so does Mrs. D.

More Grief and Loss Book for Children

Whether you're an adult coping with long-term grief (aka: prolonged grief), or you are trying to support a young child - coping with loss through children's literature is a great way to process these emotions.
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These are my favorite grief books that are safe for children for your consideration.

The Memory Box: A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland

This heart-tugging book tells the story of a child who creates a memory box to help cope with the loss of a loved one. 
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The Memory Box can be a helpful tool for parents and caregivers who are looking for ways to talk to children about death. It can help children understand that grief is a normal reaction to loss and that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or confused. The memory box activity can be a helpful way for children to express their feelings and remember their loved ones in a positive way.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

The Invisible String is a beautiful children's book that tells the story of a mother who comforts her children by telling them they are all connected by an invisible string of love. Even though you cannot see the string, you can always feel it in your heart.

This string is supposed to remind children that they are connected to everyone - even during loneliness, separation, or loss.

This book can be a great resource for children who are grieving the loss of a loved one as it can be a powerful tool for helping children to cope with their feelings of sadness and loss.

When a Pet Dies by Fred Roger

When a Pet Dies is a sweet, yet sad, children's book that deals with the death of a pet.
It tells the story of a child who is grieving the loss of their beloved pet. This book by Mr. Rogers himself assures the child that it's okay to feel sad and angry about their loss. Mr. Rogers also helps children to understand that death is a natural part of life.

Related: Gracie - Our Beloved Cat's Eulogy

Additional Tips for Using Books for Grief in Kids

Helping a child process grief is difficult. Along with consulting a therapist, here are some additional tips for using this book with children who are grieving:

• Read the book together with your child and talk about the story.
• Help your child to identify with the characters in the book.
• Help your child to create their own memory box.
• Encourage your child to share their own feelings about loss.
• Let your child know that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or confused.
• Create your own invisible string ritual with your child. For example, you could hold hands and think about your loved one together.
• Encourage your child to put things in their memory box that remind them of their loved one.
• Let your child know that it's okay to take breaks from working on their memory box if they get too upset.
• Reassure your child that their loved one will always be in their heart.
• Encourage your child to share their own feelings about the loss of their pet.
• Let your child know that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or confused.
• Allow your child to have a memorial service for their pet.
• Consider getting another pet when your child is ready.

Aubrey

Eulogies by Aubrey founder and eulogy writer. Learn more about Aubrey and her experience in the funeral industry.