I often talk with people about how to deal with tough topics with kids. “Deal with” is intentionally vague. It refers to what children’s books should and shouldn’t discuss, what they should and shouldn’t show, the level of specificity, and the tone.
Jason Crockcroft’s 2024 Night Walk is an example of a picture book doing a good job with tough topics.
The book and story’s structure is simple: a grandfather and grandchild go on a walk at night, specifically Grandma’s walk. However, Grandma isn’t with them, and they speak of her in the past tense. This combination quietly but clearly lets readers know Grandma has passed.
The night walk is a celebration of their lost loved one: they move from place to place and from sight to lovely sight in the night and the woods, sharing Grandma’s favorite places and sharing their loving memories of her as a way to keep her memories alive forever, in them and in the wonder of the world.
Quietly lovely.
