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Gleich was born in 1964 in Darmstadt, Germany, and grew up near Berlin. She studied animation at the film academy in
Babelsberg. Over the years, Gleich has illustrated over 30 books for children and adults, and has received numerous honors. She lives with her large family in
Thuringia. |
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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.
˘wKirkus |
