Anton and Jonathan

Main idea: Teddy Anton is left alone when Jonathan dies — a melancholy, gentle book about death and friendship.

Part of the death theme. Better from school age (publisher: from 6) — we read them together and leave room for questions.

Jostein Gaarder, illustrated by Akin Düzakin, Albatros. Anton is a teddy who rode the world with a boy named Jonathan — until Jonathan dies and Anton is left alone.

Not a scary book. Melancholy, gently philosophical, best when we read them together as a child starts asking about death and friendship.