This touching picture book follows young Rachel as she tries to understand what will happen to her grandfather when he dies. With a gentleness and poignancy that crosses three faiths, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, readers are left with an understanding of acceptance and inner peace.

The title of this bittersweet book is Zayde Comes to Live---to live and not to die. (Zayde is Yiddish for "grandfather.") As the family's rabbi explains, "He is living, Rachel, until the moment he dies." The book is narrated by Rachel, as she starts to come to terms with her grandfather's terminal illness and realize the importance of making memories with her grandfather while he is still alive. The story ends while Zayde is still alive.

The illustrations are colorful and gentle and work well with the text. ( )

This book discusses something many people avoid answering. The book discusses where will Zayde go after death. Zayde spends his last days living with his granddaughter and she can’t help but question what will happen after death. However ever, Zayde’ s granddaughter’s curiosity soon leads her to a realization. She realizes to stop questiong where Zayde will go after death because she should spend her time with Zayde. This book is written in first person point of view.

As the book progresses Zayde’s granddaughter becomes more understanding of where Zayde is going after death.

This was a really good book. ( )

Author Sheri Sinykin in her book Zayde Comes to Live talks about an issue that everyone deals with , but in a lot of times we chose to avoid discussing it with children.Rachel dying grandfather comes to live his last days at her house.Later on in the story the little girl started to ask question about where her grandfather would go after his death. Later on in the story she learns that all she could do is enjoy her moments with her grandfather . ( )

it really upsets me sometimes how we as a society have twisted our perception of some things, like death.This is a beautiful book to understand and be at peace with someone's death. Rachel's grandpa comes to live with them because he is dying. She is nervous because she has heard many things about what will happen to him when he's gone. this sweet book reminds us that life is a gift and to live and love life and the ones around us every second of the day no matter our age or condition.
Shalom ( )