The core of this story is about death and how it impacts family and individuals. In this instance it focuses on the granddaughter who clearly has a bond with her grandad and feels the loss of his passing greatly. Little things in the story - like how he buys her a secondhand race track and they fix it together and then play - were not only touching but also breaks a bit of a taboo I see of "secondhand stuff". It shows that it's not really about the stuff at all but about the time spent together fixing it and playing with it. Just like the stories he tells her are as much about teaching her about his life as they are bonding.

I really see this book being used more in 1-on-1 situations or in a home environment. This is the type of book that needs to be read and then discussed - perhaps even using some of the ideas (such as the girl writing and drawing in a book) to help another child work through the emotions of losing a loved one. Definitely one for counsellors to consider having handy either to use themself or to lend to a family in need.

Overall, a sad topic but one filled with a lot a love and memory building.

This is a children's story about family, love, and loss.

The book is beautifully illustrated and is written in a poetic and engaging prose. Each page has colorful images depicting a little girl's time spent with her grandfather until one day the he is no longer in the picture.

The book does not describe explicitly how the child deals with the loss but we learn how she copes with it by watching the activities she's engages in after he's gone.

While reading this book images of my loving grandparents came to mind, they might be long-gone but never forgotten. I could relate to the little girl in the story.

Overall, a moving and emotional book for everyone.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley

There are very few books available that deal with death in an appropriate way for young children, so this is a great find. There is lots to discuss here with young children and I particularly liked the metaphor of the changing seasons, with Grandfather’s death happening in Winter. The illustrations invite discussion and the issue of death and what happens next is dealt with very sensitively. It would be particularly suitable to use with with Nursery, Reception and Year 1 children (3-6 year olds) as part of a topic on birth and growth, family or changes, but could also be used to support a child who has just lost a grandparent.

I apologise. This review comes from the heart and not the mind. Please bear with me - this book has tugged at my heartstrings and stabbed me straight through.

As of July, my grandmother will have been gone from this world for 3 years. She was such an integral part of my life that I still feel a gaping hole in my chest that never gets smaller.

"If all the world were springtime, I would replant my grandad's birthdays so that he would never get old."

These words cling to my very soul. The adventures that the grandad and granddaughter have are so sweet and so beautifully illustrated that you can feel the life breathed into the pages; so artfully, so carefully and delicately. And so, so real.

My Granny and I spoke of the moon and the stars often. We spoke of birds, of life and of love. We laughed and cried together.

"If all the world were dreams, I would mix my bright Grandad feelings and paint them over sad places."

I used to snuggle up with my Granny, too. And she would tell me the most wonderful stories about her life and about Grandpa. And she drew beautiful birds, just like those featured in this book.

"But some tales are silent." I held her hand as she died. I will never forget its softness, and its small, small size - wizened by wrinkles and experience.

In this book, the little girl keeps the memory of her grandpa alive through writing and drawing. This is such an important but beautiful message. Like the little girl, I imagine all the promises of adventure that my Granny and I planned. And that is what you call living memory. Sometimes we can't keep the people we love alive forever, but we keep them forever alive in our hearts.

He says "You're too old to hold hands. But still I hold his giant hand. And we explore, hand in hand."

This is such an important book for children who have lost their grandparents - not just children. I was a grown woman when I lost Granny and it's helping me deal with my loss.

Apologies for the spill of emotions that pour from this review - know that you as author and illustrator have created something so, so meaningful and beautiful.

#NetGalley #IfAllTheWorld  Available for Purchase June 7, 2018

This is a simple but powerful book focusing on the relationship between a granddaughter and her grandfather. The seasons are represented by different activities that they do together. But in time the granddaughter realizes that her grandfather's health is failing and he dies. When she helps her mom and dad clean his room, she discovers his treasures, which have a story to go with them. She is aware of this due to their close relationship and sharing. On her grandfather's chair is a new notebook. "My name is written on the front. It's new and empty and was made by my grandad." So she begins to write and draw a story...a story of what she knows about her grandfather and the adventures they shared. (Something I'm sure he had in mind.)

Cons: None

Pros:  The simple story and illustrations depict what's happening in each scene without totally spelling it out. The focus seems to be more memories and important facts about Grandpa's life rather than his death and loss.

If All the World is a simply but beautifully written and illustrated story about a young girl's experience with the passing of her beloved grandfather. A gentle way to introduce loss and death to younger children, especially one who loses a grandparent or great-grandparent. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #IfAllTheWorld by Joseph Coelho

What a lovely book about generational love and ultimately a grandfather''s death. The illustrations are gorgeous and supplement the text of the book, which is a story about a child and her grandfather. It details the course of a year, where much time is spent sharing life and stories, and ultimately his death. The theme of the story is that sharing of of his tales and skills lives on with his grandchild, who has her grandfather in her heart and in every room. This is a family from India, which is a plus for all, depicting the traditions of an extended Asian family. A solid 4 stars for this book!

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t personally understand how the story connected in “If All the World.” However, I enjoyed the illustrations very much - especially the color scheme.

If All the World Were... is a beautiful picture book focusing on the close relationship a granddaughter has with her grandfather. Through the change of seasons, we witness the special times they shared, as well as wishes the granddaughter has ("If all the world were springtime, I would replant my grandad's birthdays so that he would never get old").

As the year passes, there is a growing sense of nostalgia; we learn grandad's health is failing, and at the close of the book, he has passed away and the granddaughter is adjusting to life without her grandfather. However, through treasures she finds in his room and a final gift she has assurance that his moments with her were meaningful and among his favorites, and she memorializes him by writing down the stories of his life in India as well as the adventures they shared.

The illustrations are captivating and will draw in children and adults alike. The subject matter may seem sobering, but this can be a concrete yet gentle way to help prepare a child to the realities of an aging family member as well as offer ideas for adjusting to the absence of a loved one without forgetting them.

This book was especially moving to our family having lost my husband and my grandchildren's grandfather less than two years ago. This book depicts a young girl's love for her granddad and how they spend time together, her wishing it would never end. When he dies, she copes with the situation and uses a notebook he made for her to write and draw her memories while dealing with her grief. The book is written by poet and playwright Joe Coelho with wonderful illustrations by Allison Colpoys. This is a wonderful book that tackles a touchy topic: death. Death is never easy but this book would be a great help to any child. A wonderful addition to a family library where they will eventually have to deal with death and the grief that comes with it.

Thoughts: Beautiful words and illustrations in regard to the topic of death of a grandparent. Just ..thanks for the punch in the face with all the emotion.





Downloaded through Netgalley for an honest review.

This is a sweet little story for children who have lost a loved one or may be missing someone. I found it comforting, precious and adorable. The illustrated pictures were cheery and painted the story perfectly.

This book was loaned to me as an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions above are my own.

In If All the World, author Joseph Coelho has written an understated story that packs a huge emotional punch. I do not have the words to express how truly lovely this book is, but the illustrations by Allison Colpoys certainly do it justice.

I highly recommend this read for people of all ages as a reminder that even though we're all missing people, our memories of those who are gone help us to keep them alive in our hearts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If all the world were springtime
I would replant my grandad's birthdays
So that he would never get old.

If All the World Were... is a beautifully illustrated poem about a girl's relationship with her grandfather, encompassing both her joy as she spends time with him, and her sadness at his eventual passing.

Tracing life through the seasons of one year, the story finds beauty in simplicity, the small joys of simply being together and doing things. Without using a lot of words, it communicates love and memories, each memory represented by a small token that relates to the day they spent together.

This one got me a little teary -- it's very sweet and even in the sadness, celebrates the joy of good memories. The colors in the illustrations are also lovely. (No specifics of the illness/dying process are mentioned.)

(Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.)

5★++
“If all the world were memories, the past would be rooms I could visit and in each room would be my grandad.”

The author says on the (back) cover “For everyone who misses someone.”

What a wonderful idea and what a wonderful book! A young child shows us what it’s like going through the seasons with Granddad.

[My Goodreads review includes an illustration of walking hand in hand with Granddad in the spring and seeing a bird’s nest.]

I can’t confirm whether the child is a girl or a boy, and I suspect that’s probably the point. A bond between that generation gap transcends gender. Kids and old folks operate on a different wave-length from the busy in-between generations.

Summertime is time for fun outdoors in the yard with parents and toys.

[My Goodreads review includes illustration of playing outside with cars with Granddad.]

Autumn is time for creativity. Writing stories, drawing pictures, using your imagination.

[My Goodreads review includes illustration of Granddad giving a special hand-made book and rainbow pencil to write down and draw dreams.]

And then there’s winter – indoor activities.

[My Goodreads review includes illustration of Granddad reading and telling stories about ships, snakes, tigers!]

Then we go to a marvellous illustration of an imagination full of all of Granddad’s stories and ideas.

[My Goodreads review includes illustration of talking to Granddad and imagining pictures of all of his stories.]

It seems Granddad might be from India or thereabouts, but we don’t really know that either. You can see the pictures on the wall and figure out what you can. But really, who cares? This is universal.

It’s simply one of the most beautiful children’s picture books I’ve seen about how to remember a grandparent. No, scratch that. I mean scratch the qualifier. It’s just one of the loveliest children’s picture books, full stop.

I am not a tearful reader, but this one . . . oh my goodness.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for the preview copy and to the author for writing it.

Death is always hard for a child. Heck death is hard for adults, but it is espcially hard for children because they have nothing to compare it to. Sure, they may have lot a pet, but losing a grand parent is the first big death that most children experience.

This is such a sweet gentle book about all the memories the little girl has of her grandfather, throughout the year, and how much she loved him, and how sad she is that she can not have those walks with him.

She says, after his passing:

<blockquote>If all the world were memories
the past would be rooms I could visit
and in each room would be my granddad</blockquote>


<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-499" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-15-at-6.44.57-PM.png" alt="If all the world" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-498" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-15-at-6.45.17-PM.png" alt="If all the world" />

And in the end, she writes all her memories down, so she can think of them again and again.

What a great way to help children grieve.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

If All the World Were is one of my new favourite books, and probably my new favourite children’s book. I’ve never cried at a picture book before this.

This is about a young girl using her drawing journals to cope after the loss of her granddad, writing down all the stories and important moments between them that she feels will help her remember him the best. It’s a true celebration of life and the time she spent with her granddad, all the things she learnt from him in the time she knew him, and even though she wants him back, she knows this is the best way she can remember him.

What really got me was how this is an introduction for young people to grief and the concept of death, and to offer a way for them to cope with loss. I know for sure this would’ve benefited me greatly after I lost my granddad when I was younger- I was close with him, and I didn’t cope very well with the loss, and is still something I struggle with. I really hope this offers children the chance to understand and cope with loss healthily, remembering the person they’ve lost and the good times they spent with them.

A beautiful book about the relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. Full of love and emotion, this book talks about the sensitive subject of death, and how to get through mourning your loved ones. A delicate and touching story. The illustrations were stunning, and brought the story together nicely. A necessary addition to classroom libraries.