This was a lovely picture book for children who have experienced grief or loss. I thought the wording was very appropriate for young children, and while it evoked a feeling of sadness and recognition of loss or pain, the words were very comforting. I highly recommend this book for therapists, schools and libraries.

A beautifully told and age appropriate story on coping with grief for kids. Gorgeous illustrations and compassionately told with patience and gentleness that children need for such a difficult form of trauma.

The his book is such a lovely story about grief. It asks the question, “what happens after someone we love dies?” and answers it in a way that makes sense to young children. The illustrations do an awesome job of showing how we can continue to live when someone has died. They are simply drawn but have key details to help kids understand what it means to die and how we honor those who have. I will be purchasing this for my own collection to use with my kids, and would recommend this to others who have experienced loss firsthand.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster as it explores how one experiences grief after losing a loved one. It beautifully captures how grief is deeply personal — felt by the one who has suffered the loss — and how memories of the loved one linger in daily life, influencing both moments of happiness and sorrow.
In short, the book reflects on how one begins to heal after the passing of a loved one. It is beautifully illustrated, tailored for children, and written in a simple, easy-to-understand, and gentle manner. Everything is thoughtfully explained and emotionally expressed.

This was such a sweet and precious story. How do we deal with grief? How do we deal with the loss of a loved one. This book discusses these topics and emotions so well. And the art was so cute, and I loved how it showed many diverse families and cultures.

Discussing the loss of a loved one—whether human, furry, feathery, or scaley—can be incredibly difficult, especially with young children. This book approaches that sensitive topic with grace, warmth, and just the right amount of emotional depth.

Though written for children, the message resonates across all ages. I found myself moved by its reminder that to live is to have loved and lost. We carry those we’ve loved in our memories and our hearts, and we honor them by continuing to live fully, even when our time together was far too short.

Thank you for creating a story that gives families language and space to talk about grief in a meaningful and comforting way.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Namm, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and Diane Namm for the privilege of receiving this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a beautiful picture book for young children dealing with the loss of both people and pets. I read it with my son as we recently lost a family member. He is seven and felt it was 'for little children' but liked the explanations and it generated some great discussion about how we all grieve differently. I liked the depictions of different families in the pictures and that it addressed both loss of family and loss of pets, which is often children's first encounter with grief.

This was a short and beautifully illustrated book that really leans into what it feels like to lose someone you love. The language is simple and straightforward, which actually works well here—it lets the emotions come through without getting lost in fancy words. It’s especially powerful in how it doesn’t shy away from tough topics, like a sick little brother or a mother passing away.

The story is focused not just on the one who’s gone, but on everyone who’s left behind. It captured that mix of sadness and figuring out how to keep going, which is something anyone who’s experienced loss can relate to. It’s definitely a gentle, thoughtful read that leaves a bit of hope along with the sadness.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Namm, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and Members' Titles for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who would have benefited from the message within this book when I lost my dad at age twelve — this book absolutely deserves to be in the hands of bereft children. So to grief counselors, school teachers/librarians/counselors, and parents: pay attention and get this book for your grieving kiddos. To have your feelings as a child VALIDATED from the get-go when the book says it’s HARD for those who remain behind is everything. That it can be hard for a very long time and that it takes as long as it takes?! What a relief to hear this message even as an adult!

This book has no ulterior motive other than to help the grieving and I absolutely, unconditionally love the author for that. Thank you so much for creating this, Diane. The illustrations in this book are just as lovely as the message.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Namm, and IBPA for the early review copy of this book.

I love this beautiful picture book about loss and grief. Lots of children struggle with loved ones' death, and this will definitely help them live the life "after". It's great that it suggests to do various activities in remembrance of loved ones, such as celebrating their birthdays, cooking their favorite food etc...adults can learn how to live with the pain of loved ones' death.

Review for What Happens After? by Diane Namm
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

What Happens After? is a simple, straightforward, and inclusive book that gently opens the door to conversations about death and what comes after. It’s written in a way that’s accessible for all children, making it a great resource for families navigating loss—whether of a person or a beloved pet.

This book doesn’t mention any belief system, which allows parents and caregivers to use it as a starting point and then tailor the conversation based on their own values, traditions, or faith. It’s a compassionate tool that respects the diversity of family beliefs while offering comfort and reassurance to young minds.

Highly recommended for families, educators, and counselors looking for a gentle way to talk about death with kids.

Thank you to NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for the ARC.
#WhatHappensAfter #NetGalley

The book seems very directive. We do this, we do this, etc. The ending (I won’t spoil it) is jarring and takes away from the book’s initial message