Is Grandpa Wearing a Suit?

by Jacky Gleich (Illustrator), Amelie Fried

Overview

In this touching and beautifully illustrated book, children will learn about death alongside Bruno, whose grandfather passes away. Throughout the narrative, Bruno's emotions mature from confusion, anger, and loneliness to acceptance. Experiencing the bewilderment that often accompanies the death of a loved one, Bruno asks, Is Grandpa just sleeping? Is he in a grave or in heaven? Why did he leave without saying goodbye? With humor and delicacy, this poignant story portrays the complexity of losing a friend and relative and teaches children that in death lies a beauty and depth to life.  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780978755041
Publisher:	Heryin Books, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2007
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Amelie Fried is a bestselling novelist who has received numerous awards for her children's books, including the German Youth Literary Award. Jacky Gleich has illustrated more than 30 books for children and adults and has received numerous honors.

Editorial Reviews

A very difficult subject to deal with but done tastefully in this exceptionally well put together book about death. When Bruno's Grandpa dies, he is convinced that he is only sleeping in the casket at the funeral parlor. Bruno insists on going to the burial. When he sees his father sobbing along with the other adults, he wonders who will comfort them as he is always comforted when he cries. When Bruno returns to his Grandpa's room, he finds everything the way his Grandpa left it except it is tidier. He is certain Grandpa has come back to clean his room. But where is he? Bruno tries to understand the complexities of death but becomes worried when his mother explains about Grandpa's soul being in heaven yet his body being in the ground. The soft sepia illustrations cushion the tender subject matter and add to the quiet feeling of explaining death to a child. Reviewer: Joan Elste

Children's Literature - Joan Elste

Along with tracking a small child's responses to his beloved grandfather's death, this import offers grown-ups some insight into what does, and does not, make sense about such losses to younger family members. His scarlet hair and jacket providing a visual focus in the scraped sepia illustrations, little Bruno is the picture of confusion. First, though he's told that Grandpa has left, he is obviously right there, better dressed than usual but "only sleeping" in his coffin. Then Bruno is disturbed to see his dad crying at the graveside, especially since later on the adults sit around a table drinking beer and telling funny Grandpa stories. Getting different answers to his question, "Where is Grandpa now?" doesn't help, nor does his mother's attempt to explain about Grandpa's soul. Over time, Bruno's struggles to understand bring anger, tears and a worry that there might not be enough room in Heaven for his own soul. In time, however, he also "feels the hole in his heart slowly closing up," and decides that if Grandpa's happy, wherever he is, there's no reason to be sad. With closure provided by the arrival of a newly born cousin, this treats Bruno's feelings with respect while sensitively offering some direction for children in similar circumstances. (Picture book. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews