The death of a loved one is never easy to cope with, whatever age you are. However, it can be especially difficult to explain to a child and enable them to explore their feelings; be it the death of a family member, a friend or a pet. A book can provide the ideal medium for addressing and exploring issues which are associated with bereavement. The following titles are just a few which successfully broach the subject with a degree of sensitivity and tact, without being patronising or sentimental.

It Isn't Easy
Margaret Connolly, illustrated by Rosita Manahan (OUP, £4.99)
Age: under 5s

This book is for the very young and it focuses on a child whose brother has been killed in an accident. It follows him and his parents through their emotional reactions: sadness, anger and pain, and shows how they begin to come to terms with their loss. Written by an experienced counsellor in the field, this is an honest and brave look at coping with the death of a child and sibling.

Drop Dead
Babette Cole
(Red Fox , £4.99)
Age: 5+

Only Babette Cole could make life and death so entertaining. Exploring all the stages of growing up to getting older and finally facing death, Cole takes a humorous look at all those awkward questions children love to ask with witty text and wildly amusing illustrations. Ideal for children and their parents!

Scrumpy
Elizabeth Dale, illustrated by Frederic Joos
(Andersen Press, £4.50)
Age: 6+

In stark contrast to Cole's approach to this issue, this is a very touching and sensitively delivered story about how a child copes with the death of a pet. When Ben loses his beloved dog, he really believes that he can never be happy or want another pet again. However, with time he slowly learns to find happiness in his memories and, in doing so, he also discovers that he can look to the future. This is a reassuring book for children with some distinctive illustrations.

Chasing Redbird
Sharon Creech
(Macmillan Children's Books, £3.99)
Age:11+

Zinny is confused. She wants to be alone, but feels isolated at the same time. Wrongly blaming herself for the deaths of two family members, she channels all her mental and physical energies into clearing a ten-mile trail which starts at her backdoor. It is a huge job, but brings her satisfaction and eventual relief from the difficult situation she has been facing. This is a beautifully told story, with some very funny moments.

Dancing Through The Shadows
Theresa Tomlinson
(Red Fox £3.99)
Age: 11+

Just at the time when thirteen-year-old Ellen learns that her mother has breast cancer, she also becomes very involved with a dance project at her school and with her history teacher's attempts to restore an ancient well near her home. All these elements come together to create an involving story which has a strong, positive message. With Ellen, the reader is asked to face the anxieties of her mother's stressful operation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but also to share in the joys of performing, friendship and the tentative beginnings of a boy-girl relationship. This is a well-written story which will provide useful support for a young adolescent reader who has a parent who is seriously ill.