Maybe dying is like becoming a butterfly

Format:

Book

Title:

Maybe dying is like becoming a butterfly

Uniform Title:

Misschien is doodgaan wel hetzelfde als een vlinder worden. English

Author:

Hest, Pimm van, 1975- author.

ISBN:

9781605374949

9781605375052

Publication:

New York : Clavis Publishing, 2019.

Physical Description:

26 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 22 x 30 cm

General Note:

Originally published as "Misschien is doodgaan wel hetzelfde als een vlinder worden" in Belgium and the Netherlands by Clavis Uitgeverij, 2018. English translation from the Dutch by Clavis Publishing Inc., New York.

Summary:

A philosophical conversation about death from the author of I Give You My Heart. "Are you going to die, Grandpa?" "Someday, sweetheart. But I hope not too soon." Their simple exchange covers a lot of philosophical ground. Grandpa allows that "no one really knows" what happens after death, but he tells Christopher that some people think of heaven ("a place without sadness or war"), others of rebirth ("each time, you get wiser"), and others of "nothing" ("the same as before you were born"). The pair discusses the whys of death ("dying is part of life"), birth ("to learn all sorts of things"), and feelings of fear or comfort about dying.

Subject(s):

Grandfathers -- Juvenile fiction.

Grandparent and child -- Juvenile fiction.

Children and death -- Juvenile fiction.

Death -- Juvenile fiction.

Death -- Psychological aspects -- Juvenile fiction.

Caring -- Juvenile fiction.

Grandfathers -- Fiction.

Grandparent and child -- Fiction.

Death -- Fiction.

Genre:

Picture books for children.

picture books.

Fiction.

Juvenile works.

Added Author:

Brandenburg, Lisa (Illustrator),

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Salem Main Library	J 155.937 Van Hest 2020	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

"Straightforward, gentle, useful, and engaging. " - Kirkus Reviews

When Grandpa suggests that a caterpillar might die if Christopher puts it in a jar.
"Are you going to die, Grandpa?"
"Someday, sweetheart. But I hope not too soon."
Their simple exchange covers a lot of philosophical ground. Grandpa allows that "no one really knows" what happens after death, but he tells Christopher that some people think of heaven ("a place without sadness or war"), others of rebirth ("each time, you get wiser"), and others of "nothing" ("the same as before you were born"). The pair discusses the whys of death ("dying is part of life"), birth ("to learn all sorts of things"), and feelings of fear or comfort about dying.

An important picture book that gives children free rein to express their questions, fears, thoughts, and ideas about death. For children ages 5 and up. Including an epilogue by the grief therapist Rebecca Dabekaussen, with tips on how to discuss this difficult but inevitable subject with children.

Guided Reading Level O

Author Notes

Pimm van Hest (1975) was born in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. After having worked as a teacher for one year he started his studies "psychology" when he met his present partner. Soon it became clear they wanted to adopt a child. In 2007 their daughter Moira came into their lives. Moira's arrival was the inspiration for his first book.

Lisa Brandenburg is an illustrator living and working in Amstelveen in the Netherlands. She has a wide range of artistic interests and loves challenge and change. Lisa is curious about, and inspired by, what happens in the world around us. Lisa is married and the proud mother of a son and a daughter.

Reviews (1)

Kirkus Review

A young child and grandfather have a conversation about death.When Grandpa suggests that a caterpillar might die if Christopher puts it in a jar, Christopher asks some questions about death, beginning with "Are you going to die, Grandpa?" The response: "Someday, sweetheart. But I hope not too soon." The pair, both white, with big heads and small bodies in the cartoonlike illustrations, are walking and playing together in a park. Grandpa is stooped and walks with a cane; Christopher wears yellow boots. Their simple exchange covers a lot of philosophical ground. Grandpa acknowledges no one knows when they will die and that Christopher could die before him, but that the chance is small. Grandpa allows that "no one really knows" what happens after death, but he tells Christopher that some people think of heaven ("a place without sadness or war"), others of rebirth ("each time, you get wiser"), and others of "nothing" ("the same as before you were born"). The pair discusses the whys of death ("dying is part of life"), birth ("to learn all sorts of things"), and feelings of fear or comfort about dying. A concluding letter from Christopher to Grandpa, accompanied by an illustration of Christopher alone, offers the titular analogy about becoming a butterfly. Backmatter offers a brief comment and tips for discussion from a grief therapist.Straightforward, gentle, useful, and engaging. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.