Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite

Losing someone is never easy. What Happens After? by Diane Namm is a compassionate picture book that gently helps children process grief and offers answers to the question posed in its title. Each page shows how a person grieves, but in a way that children can understand. It also explains in a kid-friendly way that it’s okay to feel the emotions they are experiencing, even if those emotions are sadness and anger. It provides a reassuring guide to help them through their feelings and find comfort in their memories. It also encourages readers to notice small signs of remembrance in the world, like when there’s a rainbow in the sky or when they’re telling a story about their loved one. This is a heartfelt story about holding those who are gone in our hearts forever.

What Happens After? is a caring book that will help children grieve. As an educator, I commend Diane Namm for writing a story that explains in a developmentally appropriate way some aspects of what happens when someone passes. I think sometimes adults forget that although children tend to be resilient, they still feel deeply sad when they lose a loved one, and that sadness may stay with them for a while. It’s exactly the kind of book that helps children make sense of their feelings and cope with overwhelming sadness. I have two favorite aspects of this book. The first is that there’s a strong focus on pictures. The illustrator, Laura Jäger, did a fantastic job of encapsulating the message of the story with her beautiful artwork. I think looking at photos of loved ones is such an important and easy way for children to honor someone they’ve lost. The second is the mention of a butterfly. I’ve always personally thought, “Whisper ‘I love you’ to a butterfly and they will fly up to Heaven to deliver your message.” This book is perfect for home, school, or a counselor’s office. So, although losing someone is hard, this book will help in the recovery process.