The death of a grandparent is often the first human death children have to deal with.
This can be deeply traumatic and very hard to understand.
All of these books celebrate the special relationships children can develop with a grandparent, and ways to commemorate and remember them, and that relationship.
CRY, HEART, BUT NEVER BREAK by Glenn Ringtved, illustrated by Charlotte Pardi, translated from the Danish by Robert Moulthrop.
Four children try to delay Death’s visit to their beloved grandmother, but Death knows that everything has a cycle, and that death is important in order to enjoy life. He tells an allegory about Grief and Sorrow marrying with Joy and Delight — there is balance in nature. Death’s representation owes a great deal to Bengt Ekeroth’s portrayal of Death in Bergman’s The Seventh Seal (just like Death, in Bill and Ted’s bogus journey).
THIS HUG BLANKET by Chris Gurney; illustrated by Lael Chisholm.
Also available as TE PARAIKETE KAUWHI nā Ngaere Roberts ngā korero i whakamāori (translated into te reo Māori by Ngaere Roberts).
It smells like sunshine.
It sounds like whispers.
It looks like rainbows.
It feels like love.
A story of love and family.
When a girl’s Nana dies suddenly, she shares her feelings.
As her family hold the funeral, and visit Nana’s grave, the family celebrate and share in ways that Nana would enjoy.
Nana was all about fun and joy — and that is how the family remember her.
SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA by Candy Wellins; illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan.
A story about the circle of life, and the comfort found in continuing and passing on traditions.
George loves Saturdays, because Saturdays are for Stella — his grandmother. George and Stella have their traditions, which include dancing to Stella’s “giant, flat Frisbees [she] could get […] to play music.” One Saturday, there is no Stella, and George’s world changes.
Although Stella’s death is not explicitly stated, George’s reactions to her absence are vividly portrayed through the illustrations, and understated text.
But, his life changes when a new Stella arrives — his new baby sister. And he enjoys passing on his and Stella-grandma’s traditions.
IF ALL THE WORLD WERE… by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys.
If all the world were memories, the past would be rooms I could visit and in each room would be my grandad.
Simple, poignant, story of a young girl and her relationship with her aging grandfather.
The process of dealing with the immediate aftermath of a death is dealt with (tidying up, finding treasures) and the wishful thinking and reminiscing after a death. Grandad leaves her a legacy — both physical (a new notebook) and emotional.
THE HEART AND THE BOTTLE by Oliver Jeffers.
A tale told as much through the illustrations, as the text.
A young girl has a very close relationship with her grandfather — and after his death, she changes and puts her heart away in a bottle. Then a new curious little girl arrives in her life — but her heart is locked away.
An allegorical tale of the long-term damage and hurt caused by grief.
This post is part in a series by Solidarity Team member Anne (she/her)
