Three Children's Books in Latvian Explore Grief, Loss and Saying Goodbye

Three visually striking and thoughtfully crafted books for children have recently entered Latvian literature, each addressing death, grief and loss from its own perspective. Together they show that difficult topics can be explored in age-appropriate ways through words and images.

The Moment of Farewell

Renāte Bērante’s picture book “Atvadīties” (“To Say Goodbye”), published by Monte Stories in 2026 and illustrated by Sabīne Baumane, focuses on the act of parting. The book draws attention to what happens when someone has to leave a loved one, offering young readers a way to see such an experience through artistic imagery.

Remembrance as a Path

Jekaterina Griškjāne’s picture book “Es esmu mājiņā” (“I Am in the Little House”), from Zvaigzne ABC (2026), turns to the theme of remembering. Rather than concentrating on the separation itself, the story explores how a person can maintain a connection with someone who has died by cherishing shared memories and meaningful places.

The Webs of Mourning

Luīze Pastore and illustrator Svens Neilands take a different approach in the comic “Te tu esi!” (“Here You Are!”), released by Liels un mazs in 2026. Their work reveals the subtle and seemingly endless networks of grief. It suggests that sorrow is not a simple, linear emotion but a complex web of feelings, recollections and relationships.

A Shared Message

What unites the three books is their strong visual language and their courage to speak about a subject that has long been considered one of the biggest taboos in children’s literature. Though each book highlights different aspects of grief, they all demonstrate that children’s books can address some of life’s most difficult questions.