Here’s a collection of books that many families have found helpful and supportive.
If you know of a book you think should be included, we’d love to hear from you – please get in touch so we can add it to the list.
Book Recommendations
Water Bugs and Dragon Flies – Doris Stickney
Explaining Death to young children.
A gentle children’s story using the metaphor of water bugs and dragonflies to help young children understand death and loss. Useful for families dealing with baby loss, stillbirth or multiple pregnancy bereavement and looking for a sensitive resource.
Whispers of a Purple Butterfly – Richard Ganvani
Fictional story about a surviving twin girl.
Whispers of a Purple Butterfly explores the experience of Lucy, a young girl growing up knowing she is a twin, whilst also trying to understand what is means to have lost her twin sister, Clara, before birth. It uses a purple butterfly throughout the story which will resonate with many twin and triplet families.
The Red and White Twins – Stephanie Ernst
The book expalins TAPS (Twin Anaemia Polycythaemia Sequence) in a clear and child-friendly way, helping children to understand what TAPS is and what it can mean for their family.
Proof of Heaven A Neurosurgeon’s journey into the afterlife – Dr Eben Alexander
A non‑fiction bestseller in which neurosurgeon Eben Alexander recounts his near‑death experience and explores life after death. This book may offer comfort and hope for bereaved parents and families dealing with loss of a baby, twin or triplet.
Big George A Autobiography of an Angel – James Jennings
A fictional tale set in a neonatal intensive care unit, told from the viewpoint of a baby twin. While not specifically multiple‑birth bereavement, it touches on themes of infant loss and offers a narrative that may resonate for families who’ve lost twins or multiples.
After A Child Dies: Parents’ Grief – Jenni Thomas OBE with Sarah G Thompson
A compassionate non‑fiction guide for parents following the death of a child. Contains stories of loss and practical support. Highly relevant for parents experiencing twin or triplet baby loss seeking peer‑voices and understanding.
Little Fingers, Never Alone in The Shadows – Charlotte Niall
A heartfelt non-fiction account of stillbirth and grief. This book includes a resource directory for bereaved families seeking information, support, and comfort after baby loss.
How I Came to Hold You – Ben Wakeling
A powerful collection of real stories from bereaved parents who have experienced baby loss. Compassionate, honest, and deeply moving – a supportive read for families and friends navigating loss.
Ask Me His Name – Learning to live and love again after the loss of a baby – Elle Wright
A moving personal memoir from Elle Wright about life after neonatal loss. She shares the raw and honest reality of grief and how she found a way to live and love again after the death of her son.
A Different Kind of Mother – Christine Howser
Christine Howser shares her story of neonatal loss after losing both of her twin sons. A powerful, faith-based reflection on grief, healing, and mothering children who are no longer here.
When a Baby Dies – Nancy Kohner and Alix Henley
A comprehensive guide drawing on stories from bereaved parents who experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Offers both emotional support and practical guidance.
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart – Deborah L Davis, Ph.D
A deeply informative and empathetic guide for parents coping with miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination for medical reasons. Offers support through every stage of grief.
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination – Elizabeth McCracken
A beautifully written memoir about stillbirth and the heartbreak of losing a baby late in pregnancy. Honest and lyrical, this book provides validation for grieving parents.
Knocked up. Knocked Down – Monica Murphy Lemoine
A powerful, candid account of miscarriage and stillbirth that captures both grief and resilience. Monica shares her personal story with warmth, wit, and vulnerability.
Reasons to Stay Alive – Matt Haig
A life-affirming book about mental health, depression, and anxiety. Offers strength and perspective for anyone struggling with loss or emotional overwhelm.
The Comfort Book – Matt Haig
A collection of short reflections and quotes offering gentle encouragement and hope. A valuable self-help resource for anyone grieving or feeling lost.
A Heart that Works – Rob Delaney
Comedian Rob Delaney writes openly about the death of his young son to cancer. Raw, heartbreaking and deeply human – this memoir is a tribute to love and grief.
The Year of Magical Thinking – Joan Didion
A literary exploration of grief following the sudden loss of the author’s husband. Captures the emotional disorientation of bereavement with elegance and insight.
And Once More We Saw Stars – Jonathan Greene
A stunning memoir of the death of a young daughter and the search for meaning, love, and hope in the aftermath. For parents grieving the unimaginable.
Grief Works – Julia Samuel
A compassionate guide from leading grief therapist Julia Samuel, sharing stories of loss and healing, including the death of children, partners, and parents.
A Guide to Heartache – Cathy Rentzenbrink
A reflective and practical companion through grief. Offers insight, honesty, and kindness to anyone facing heartbreak and sorrow.
You Are Not Alone – Cariad Lloyd
From the creator of the Griefcast podcast, this book explores loss with humour and heart. Combines personal story, reflections, and practical advice for grieving hearts.
Notes for the Everlost, A Field Guide to Grief – Kate Inglis
A poetic and insightful book for grieving parents, especially those who have experienced NICU loss or the death of a twin. Honest, raw, and full of love.
We Were Gonna Have A Baby, but We Had an Angel Instead – Pat Schwiebert
A gentle picture book to help young children understand and cope with pregnancy loss. Using simple language and soft illustrations, it acknowledges grief while offering comfort and love.
We Had To Say Goodbye Before We Even Met – Irene Teague
A tender children’s story to help siblings understand the loss of a baby brother or sister due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Written to support families navigating early loss.
Why Baby Loss Matters – Kay King
A powerful exploration of pregnancy and baby loss, written by a doula and shaped by real experiences from bereaved parents. Highlights the importance of compassionate care and awareness.
The Memory Tree – Britta Teckentrup
A beautifully illustrated story about love, memory and saying goodbye. Designed to help children talk about death and remember loved ones in a gentle, nature-inspired way.
Where did I go wrong – Sarah Speake
A raw and honest account of neonatal loss following a NICU stay. Sarah shares her story to help others feel less alone in their grief and to raise awareness of the NICU experience.
Ethan’s Butterflies – Christine Jonas Simpson
A spiritual and heartfelt story to help children process the death of a baby sibling. Using the metaphor of butterflies, it offers comfort and connection beyond physical presence.
Child Loss, Bereavement & Hope: A Muslim mother’s perspective – Farhat Amin
A faith-based guide to grief and healing from a Muslim mother’s perspective. Touches on miscarriage and the loss of a teenage child with deep honesty and spiritual insight.
To the Brink and Back – Kelly Farley and David Dicola
A collection of powerful stories from grieving dads. Honest, emotional, and validating — this book gives voice to the often-overlooked experience of fathers after baby loss.
He lost his Baby too – Kelly Farley and David Dicola
A poignant look at the grief of bereaved fathers, with stories, insights and reflections. A companion to their blog, this resource helps dads feel seen, supported, and understood.
The Lone Twin, Understanding Twin Bereavement and Loss – Joan Woodward
An essential read on the impact of twin loss. Drawing on research and personal accounts, this book explores the lifelong emotional effects of losing a twin – in infancy, childhood, or adulthood.
There was a Baby – Rachel Devereux & Charlotte Gower
A beautifully written and illustrated poem for Rainbow Siblings. Helps young children understand and honour a sibling who has died before or shortly after birth.
My Sibling Still – Megan Lecourrege
A child-friendly story told from the perspective of the baby who died. Reassuring and warm, it helps siblings feel connected and supported in their grief.
I promise it won’t always hurt like this – Clare Mackintosh
A collection of reflections on grief and baby loss from author Clare Mackintosh, who lost her son. Honest, accessible and hopeful — a supportive companion through the darkest days.
Always My Twin – Valerie R Samuels
A gentle children’s story for surviving twins, Always My Twin helps little ones understand and express their feelings after losing a twin. A supportive resource for families grieving multiple birth loss.
The Sad Book – Michael Rosen
A powerful children’s book exploring grief and sadness through simple words and poignant illustrations. Created after the death of the author’s son, it helps children (and adults) process complex feelings.
The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
A comforting picture book that reassures children they are always connected to loved ones, even after loss. Ideal for bereaved siblings after baby or child loss.
These precious Little People – Frankie Brunker
A beautifully illustrated picture book designed to support children after the death of a baby sibling. Gently honours loss while celebrating love.
No Matter What – Debi Gliori
A heartfelt story about the unconditional love of a parent. A comforting read for families experiencing loss or sadness.
Expecting Sunshine,A Journey of Grief, Healing, and Pregnancy After Loss – Alex Marie Chute
A moving memoir about pregnancy after loss, blending grief, healing, and hope. Offers support for families navigating life after neonatal death.
The Heart and the Bottle – Oliver Jeffers
A touching picture book about grief and rediscovering joy. Suitable for children and adults exploring loss and healing.
Where Are You Lydie? – Emma Poore
A storybook for siblings who’ve lost a baby sister or brother. Gently written to support children grieving a sibling who died before or shortly after birth.
There Was Another – Laura Camerona
A thoughtful children’s story about surviving twins or triplets, helping siblings understand and talk about their brother or sister who died.
Dear Star Baby – Malcolm Newsome
A tender children’s story told through letters written by a sibling to their baby brother or sister who died before birth. Dear Star Baby gently helps families talk about miscarriage, love, and remembrance, offering comfort to living siblings and parents alike.
Loss Books – Kate Polley
A poetic and tender picture book for children after miscarriage, helping families honour and talk about their lost baby.
Our Special Stars – Becky Williams
A children’s activity book for grief support. Provides space for drawing and reflection to help little ones process loss.
Bearing the Unbearable – Joanne Cacciatore
A compassionate and profound book exploring child loss and traumatic grief. Offers solace and support to bereaved parents and carers.
When I Was in Your Tummy – Helena Morais
It is a personalised storybook that can be changed to “When [Baby’s Name] was in your tummy”. A poetic rendition that explores the tender embrace of love, warmth, and safety between parent and baby from the womb and beyond. It offers solace and comfort, proving that love transcends all boundaries, from the sweet recollections to the magical signs thereafter. With 80 babies to choose from every skin tone, hair colour and hair type represented. For every loss and every baby gone too soon.