Families who loved A Story for Hippo by Simon Puttock often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when a child is experiencing their first encounter with the death of a grandparent or a close elder. It is an essential tool for navigating the heavy, confusing silence that often follows a significant loss. The story follows Monkey as he grieves the passing of his best friend, a wise old Hippo, and eventually finds a way to keep Hippo's spirit alive through the stories they shared. While the book addresses deep sadness, it is grounded in hope and the enduring nature of friendship. Written for children ages 4 to 8, it provides a gentle, secular framework for understanding that although a loved one is gone, the love and memories remain. Parents will appreciate the way it validates a child's grief without being overly clinical or frightening, making it a comforting choice for bedtime or quiet reflection.