For me, the book is evocative of the simplicity, gentleness, and artfulness of my own childhood. The story is lovely -- it is serious, but not maudlin as children's books that deal with serious themes tend to be. It is told from the point of view of the children, in the realistic way of children's interior imaginative play. The illustrations are beautiful. ( )

Translated from the Dutch, this is a story of a family coping with their mother’s death. When the father retreats to his work and forgets his children, Hannah struggles to care for her younger brother Matthew and the house. Hannah moves across the yard to her mother’s kitchen garden and tells Matthew to bring her items from the house, such as dolls and a piano. The story within a story is told mostly in monologues by the children, with drawings on each page. The black and white sketches are in contrast to the double page spreads in color. The layout may be confusing, but it adds to the fragmented story and emotions of the children. The family struggles to deal with their loss in their own ways, but ends on a positive note. 1994 Batchelder Honor Award Book. ( )