About the Author

Michael Rosen is an award-winning author and anthologist of books for young readers, including Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, illustrated by Jane Ray, and Shakespeare: His Work and His World, illustrated by Robert Ingpen, which was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and one of New York Public Library's 100 Best Children's Books of the Year. In 1997 he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for service to children's literature. Michael Rosen lives in London.

Quentin Blake has illustrated more than 250 books by many writers, notably John Yeoman, Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen, and, most famously, Roald Dahl. He is also well known for his own picture books, such as Clown and Zagazoo. Quentin Blake was a tutor at the Royal College of Art from 1965 to 1988, and for eight of those years was head of the Illustration Department. In 1999 he was appointed the first British Children's Laureate, and in 2002 the Quentin Blake Europe School in Berlin was named for him. He is also a recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. Quentin Blake lives in London.

Reviews

This story is practical and universal and will be of comfort to those who are working through their bereavement. A brilliant and distinguished collaboration.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Rosen's poetic revelation of his conflicting emotions and coping strategies will resonate with — and help — anyone mourning a loss or dealing with an indefinable sadness.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Rosen offers no easy solutions here — but he and Blake close with the image of a candle shedding a small, hopeful light. Readers . . . will be touched by the honesty and perception here.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A beautiful, solacing book.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

While you may not want to give this to a chid who is at the moment, happy, you would most certainly give this to a child who is sad. It shows them that they are not alone, and does so brilliantly.
—Booklist (starred review)