With text that is simple, matter of fact, and comforting the Browns provide an excellent introduction

Author: Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
Format: Paperback
Published: Little Brown, 1996

With text that is simple, matter of fact, and comforting the Browns provide an excellent introduction to the subject of death. They discuss what being alive and dead mean, reasons that someone may die (including often ignored subjects of suicide and drug use), and the feelings a death arouses (denial, fear, anger, etc.). They also discuss different culture's customs and beliefs about death. The format of the book - brief paragraphs on each page accompanied by illustrations of dinosaurs discussing their thoughts and feelings -  make the book extremely accessible.