Is Grandpa Wearing a Suit? Book

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.  

Children's Literature

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