A great story of how someone can take the death of a relative and make it positive. I think this would be a great book to read to students who are struggling with the death of someone they are close to and ask them to reflect on how they can highlight the good memories they have with that person. A great book about emotion and growth.

British poet and playwright Joseph Coelho and Australian illustrator Allison Colpoys join forces in this poignant picture-book about a young child's loving relationship with her grandfather, and her grief and sense of loss, when he dies. Frequently together, grandfather and granddaughter find something to do, no matter the season. From walking in the park to repairing and playing with a toy racetrack, they have plenty of fun together, and create many memories. When the grandfather is gone, the girl must gather those memories together, recalling her lost relative with love...

Originally published in the UK as If All the World Were..., and then republished here in the states as Grandpa's Stories, this is a book I sought out largely for the illustrations, having enjoyed Colpoys' artwork on two earlier titles from author Davina Bell (Captain Starfish and All the Ways to be Smart). I see that this team, Coelho and Colpoys, have a second title coming out later this year (2021), entitled My Beautiful Voice, which I hope to track down as well. In any case, I was certainly not disappointed in the visuals here, which are delightful, featuring a gorgeous color palette and beautifully stylized figures. I particularly liked the scenes in which the girl imagines that all the world is like this or that - dreams, deep space, stories - as the perspective there seems to draw back, showing the girl in her own imaginative world. The story here is poignant, and addresses a common childhood experience - the loss of a grandparent - with sensitivity and compassion. I wasn't thrilled with the grandfather's remark at the beginning of the book that the little girl is too old to hold hands - is one every too old for such a thing? - but it didn't ruin the story for me, as I interpreted it as him just being a little bit crusty. It's clear, from the rest of the tale, that he loves his granddaughter very much, and is devoted to her happiness. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories addressing the loss of a grandparent, as well as to fellow admirers of Allison Colpoys' work. ( )

At first, I didn’t like this book. Then, it grew on me just a little. I feel like this book would be very useful in an elementary school classroom because grandparents (or great-grandparents) dying are things a child may go through at this age. Elderly family members passing are frequently the first experience children have with death. It can be hard for anyone, especially a child to deal with death. Overall, I wasn’t that interested in the book and I think there are better books out there that would fill the purpose that this book holds. ( )

The first half of the book is about a young girl and the time she spends with her grandfather. On each page they enjoy one of four seasons of the year with different explorations and activities. The second half is about how she copes after he passes away. "Grandpa's Stories" is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. This book is perfect for both children and adults who have lost someone. The little girl misses her grandfather dearly but she remains as positive as she can while keeping the memory of him alive in her heart and journal. Also, I was absolutely blown away by the illustrations in this book, they are by far my favorite I've seen in all the picture books I've read. ( )