This is one of the best children's books, and one of the best books, period, that I've read this year. It made me tear up frequently throughout the read, in a good way. By using the Native framing of departed loved ones "walking on" to a new stage of existence and making a new journey, Kevin Maillard paints a picture of an introspective young boy grieving his beloved grandmother, aas well as the ways that he grows to embrace her memory and the way that her presence remains with him in a new, fulfilling way. The concept of walking on and continuing a journey into another place is presented in a way that children will understand (and which they may already be familiar with) as well as the ways in which those we love still leave elements of themselves with us. This book would make an excellent one-on-one or small groups read for children, where they can talk about those whom they've lost and the many ways that they can still feel their presence, either though food, smells, experiences with nature and other memories. It also creates an opportunity to talk about different ways that their culture(s) discuss those who have passed away, and how they are different or similar to what's presented in the book.


The intentionality of the language and it's clear depiction of the boy's memories of his grandmother make an impression on the reader; immediately evoking emotions that will speak to children who have recently lost someone. The illustrations have that same intentionality and perfectly complement the text; the sweeping motifs of multicolored strands, representing both emotions and the essence of the grandmother, creates a comfort for the young protagonist as he wraps himself in the memories of her presence. I enjoyed illustrator Rafael Lopez' notes in the back about the various visual easter eggs that he included, The ending scenes of people of various ages and backgrounds walking on themselves and the boy moving forward with his grandmother's spirit to guide him (and her scarf around his neck) was poignant. As someone still processing the departure of a beloved one, the passages about her scent lingering over her house as if she just stepped away for a few moments resonated with me, as did the parts about the pressing desire to tell her about the day's events. Maillard describes this feeling in the book's end notes as phantom pains, which is quite accurate; something that children will understand even if they cannot verbalize the sensation quite yet.

One subtle detail that I appreciated is the way in which the young boy's parents let him process and grieve on his own, leaving him to sit with his sweet dog companion and think about his grandmother rather than hovering over him constantly. And even though the reader never sees him actually cry, they can tell that it still affects him deeply. It's a nice touch and a reminder to kids that everyone deals with sadness in their own way, and that no one way is correct. As with all of Maillard's work that I've seen so far, I greatly appreciate the Black Native representation, and the intentionality purposefulness behind the inclusion.

I also appreciate the recipes that Maillard includes in his books, the notes about where they originate from, his own modifications and the relevance that they hold. The grape dumplings recipe (which I'd heard about in passing over the years) sounds delicious. It sent me down a rabbit hole of research into different Native tribes' variations in preparing the dish. If he ever were to write a cookbook for children about the Native dishes from his childhood, I am all for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, for this DRC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

"Because when someone walks on, they stay with us. They grow in our hearts, and we walk in their footsteps."

And They Walk On is a powerful and heartfelt children’s book by Kevin Maillard, beautifully illustrated by Rafael Lopez, that thoughtfully explores the themes of loss and grief. Drawing from his personal experience with the death of his mother, Maillard offers a raw and vulnerable perspective that resonates deeply. His author’s note introduces readers to Indigenous cultural beliefs in the United States, including the meaning behind the phrase “walked on,” while Lopez shares his own heritage and experiences with Mexico’s Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

The stunning, evocative illustrations enhance the emotional depth and beauty of the story, blending cultural traditions in a way that honors those who have “walked on.” Together, author and illustrator create a meaningful tribute to memory and healing.

This book is essential for families navigating the difficult journey of loss. Maillard captures the complex emotions of missing a loved one with grace and sensitivity—an especially challenging topic to address in a children’s book, yet handled with remarkable care. As an adult also coping with grief, I found myself deeply moved by the narrative, reminiscent of the emotional impact of the film Coco.

I highly recommend And They Walk On and rate it a full five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This beautifully illustrated book tackles the idea of “walking on” and how to handle grief. This book is written from an Indigenous perspective, but will be relatable to any child grieving a loved one. I’m looking forward to being able to have this available in my elementary library and share it with the counselors at my school.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

No, it's fine, I love to cry!

Gosh, this is a beautifully moving and gorgeously illustrated book. Every culture, every religion, every individual person has their own idea of what happens when a person is no longer with us. 'And They Walk On' draws on a predominant Indigenous idea that imagines death as a kind of walking on. We follow a grieving young boy as he wonders: where did his grandmother walk to? Is she coming back? How are her things just as she left them? We learn that through the power of love, food, and continued remembrance, a loved one is never truly gone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In language that only those who have said goodbye can really feel, this book is a gentle hand, leading you to where those who walk on go. It is kind and warm and understanding. It is beautifully illustrated in a way to guide even the youngest of us to learn about those who have walked on, and how we all walk, in the end.

This is a very poignant, beautifully illustrated book for children about what happens when a loved one dies. Many children have questions or thought that they don't know how to express and the protagonist in this story also gives voice to his confusion. The book looks at death through an Indigenous, Catholic, Mexican, and African-American lens, but keeps the idea of an afterlife vague and uses the phrase "walked on" instead of died, as is the Native American tradition.

I loved the illustrations and the poetic writing. It will be a must-purchase book for my family. I highly recommend this tender picture book to libraries, schools, and families.