Grandad's Island

K-Gr 2—Syd pays an ordinary visit to his grandfather's house, when Grandad shows him a mysterious metal door in the attic. Syd and Grandad walk through the door and are suddenly aboard a huge ship. They dock at an island, where Grandad and Syd explore and go swimming. Then Grandad breaks the news to Syd—he is thinking of staying on the island with his jungle animal friends. Syd hugs Grandad one last time and boards the huge ship back to the real world, alone. The next morning, Grandad's house is vacant and the metal door in the attic is gone. Then a toucan delivers a postcard to Syd from Grandad and the jungle animals. This book is innovative and useful as a way to talk about the idea of loss—without ever referring to actual death. Parents and educators can use this to talk with a child about how it's normal to be sad and miss loved ones. It can also be read to explain to children how it might seem strange to see loved ones' old houses empty but that they are in a special place and still love them very much. Cheerful, brightly colored illustrations make this a fine choice to use with the youngest of audiences. Since death isn't directly specified, this title also works for when a child's loved one is moving far away.