Heartfelt Stories That Help Children Navigate Change, Separation, and New Beginnings
Saying goodbye is never easy—especially for children. Whether it’s the end of the school year, moving to a new home, a friend moving away, or the passing of a loved one or pet, goodbye moments can stir up big feelings. Books about goodbyes help kids understand that change is a natural part of life—and that it’s okay to feel sadness, hope, and everything in between.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite goodbye books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included gentle activities and questions to help young readers reflect, remember, and feel supported during life’s transitions. Let me know which story speaks most deeply to your heart.
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Goodbye?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Goodbye
- 11 Goodbye Books For Children
- What Goodbye Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Goodbye?
Goodbye books give children words, comfort, and connection when emotions feel overwhelming.
These stories show characters facing change, feeling sad, and discovering the strength to keep going. They gently reassure children that while goodbyes are hard, they are also moments of growth, love, and resilience.
Reading about goodbyes helps children understand that endings often make way for new beginnings.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Goodbye
Books about goodbyes support emotional literacy by helping children name their feelings and express them safely.
Whether saying goodbye to a pet, a friend, a routine, or a place, children learn that it’s okay to miss something and still move forward. These stories model empathy, memory-making, and the importance of honoring what (or who) we leave behind.
Goodbye books also provide comfort during school changes, life transitions, or moments of loss.
How to Use Books about Goodbye with Children
Here are some supportive ways to gently explore these stories:
- 🌅 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone or something? or What helped you feel better? In class, use Turn and Talk to reflect on feelings and memories.
- 📦 Engage in Farewell-Themed Activities: Create memory books, write a goodbye letter, draw a picture of your favorite shared moment, or build a “goodbye box” filled with small reminders of a person or place.
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: When change happens, revisit goodbye stories as tools for comfort. Say: Remember how the character kept their memories close? We can do that too.
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Share a goodbye book with a note suggesting family rituals like lighting a candle, telling stories, or planting a memory tree together. Invite families to write or draw what they’re grateful for during transitions.
11 Goodbye Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
🔗 View on Amazon
A simple, heartfelt book about saying goodbye and all the feelings that come with it—from sadness to hope.
Activity Suggestion: Draw a picture of someone or something you miss.
Discussion Questions:
- What’s something you’ve said goodbye to?
- How do you feel when you miss someone?
- What helps you feel better?
#2 Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend! by Cori Doerrfeld
🔗 View on Amazon
A gentle story that shows every goodbye leads to a new hello—perfect for transitions and change.
Activity Suggestion: Make a “Hello/Goodbye” collage with magazine cutouts.
Discussion Questions:
- What goodbyes have you experienced?
- What new things came after?
- How do you welcome change?
#3 Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick
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This toddler-friendly book helps kids cope with daily separations and goodbyes in a calm, reassuring way.
Activity Suggestion: Practice a “bye-bye ritual” with hugs or waves.
Discussion Questions:
- What helps you say goodbye?
- How do you feel when someone leaves?
- What’s your favorite way to reconnect?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 I Miss You by Pat Thomas
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A thoughtful introduction to loss and grief for young readers, explaining death in a gentle and honest way.
Activity Suggestion: Create a memory heart for someone you miss.
Discussion Questions:
- What is grief?
- How can we remember loved ones?
- Who can you talk to when you’re sad?
#5 The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland
🔗 View on Amazon
A tender story about collecting memories after a loss, offering comfort and healing for children.
Activity Suggestion: Make your own memory box and fill it with drawings or small items.
Discussion Questions:
- What memories make you smile?
- What would you put in your box?
- How do memories help us heal?
#6 In a Jar by Deborah Marcero
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Llewellyn collects little wonders in jars—and when a friend moves away, they find new ways to share memories.
Activity Suggestion: Decorate a jar to hold your own treasures or feelings.
Discussion Questions:
- What would you collect in your jar?
- How can we stay close to faraway friends?
- What makes memories magical?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster
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A loving celebration of time spent with grandparents—and the window where every visit begins and ends.
Activity Suggestion: Draw your own special hello or goodbye place.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your favorite family visit memory?
- What makes saying goodbye hard?
- How can we show love when we leave?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 Everywhere, Still by M.H. Clark
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This poetic book offers comfort after loss, showing that love never disappears—it simply changes form.
Activity Suggestion: Write a letter to someone you’ve said goodbye to.
Discussion Questions:
- How is love always present?
- What signs remind you of someone?
- What helps you feel connected?
#9 The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
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A comforting metaphor for connection, showing that we’re always tied to the ones we love—no matter the distance.
Activity Suggestion: Cut string pieces to show who you’re connected to.
Discussion Questions:
- Who is part of your “invisible string”?
- How does it help when you’re apart?
- Can love stretch across any distance?
#10 Never “Goodbye.” Always “See You Later!” by Valerie McNulty
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Reframing goodbyes into hopeful “see you laters,” this book supports children through change and transition.
Activity Suggestion: Make a “See You Later” card for someone special.
Discussion Questions:
- What does “see you later” mean to you?
- How can we stay hopeful during change?
- What’s one goodbye that became a hello again?
#11 One Little Bag by Henry Cole
🔗 View on Amazon
A wordless picture book that follows a paper bag through generations, honoring love, loss, and sustainability.
Activity Suggestion: Reuse a paper bag to hold a meaningful gift or message.
Discussion Questions:
- What story did the bag tell?
- How can objects hold memories?
- What would you place in your “one little bag”?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Goodbye Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Goodbye books for kids remind us that it’s okay to feel sad, to remember, and to move forward with love. Whether the goodbye is small or big, near or far, these stories help children feel seen, soothed, and supported.
Which goodbye story will you turn to next? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share the books, crafts, or quiet moments that help your little ones through change.
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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