The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia

Although this book is older it is still great. It talks about the changing of the seasons and relates it to death. Describing death to children can be very difficult, scary, uncomfortable, emotional, etc. The book compares the changing seasons and when the leaves change colors and fall to the ground to living life and eventually reaching the end. The metaphors are simple and delicate. There is no gore or fear. It is difficult to find a way to express death and this book provides that opportunity. The pictures also capture the subject matter. The book also has opportunites for learning, not just about death. It can be used to show the water cycle or photosynthesis without having to bring up the complexity of people dying.