Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. The age-old question gets some thoughtful answers in this to-the-point book. A child asks her father where people go when they die. Father answers, They are buried in the ground . . and become part of the earth and of nature. Mother talks of heaven, Grandfather says the dead go into our memories and become part of our minds. The child's aunt talks about how those who die go into our hearts: They are with us when we cry and when we laugh. The child comes to her own conclusion: When we die we go to God, who is Everywhere. The answers are slightly more elaborate than the above quotes, but written at a level even young children can understand. Portnoy, a rabbi, concludes with several pages of suggestions for parents, advising them of other questions children might ask and ways to answer. Dignified watercolors illustrate the text. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2004 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-This sensitive, carefully constructed book picks up where Aliki's The Two of Them (HarperCollins, 1987) and Mellonie Bryan's Lifetimes (Bantam, 1983) leave off. In a beautifully poetic style, a father, aunt, teacher, etc., all answer the title question. The responses are nonthreatening and soothing. When people die, "They- become part of the earth and of nature"; "They go to heaven, a place of peace-. They watch over us from there"; "They go into our memories and-. become the past." The afterword and suggestions for parents include advice about talking to children about death, e.g., "-consider yourself the principal teacher/mentor to your child. You shouldn't ALWAYS have to say, `We'll go ask the rabbi or minister.'" Haas's muted watercolor illustrations help set the tone for this meaningful, much-needed book on a universal topic.-Sandra Kitain, Abrams Hebrew Academy, Yardley, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Several different children ask the titular question of various family members, a teacher, etc.; the answers range from ""They go to heaven..."" to ""They become the future."" The ethereal tone of the exchanges and the precious, unsteady illustrations are regrettable, as the book (especially its afterword) contains solid information likely to help children process the concept of death. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
