Where Do People Go When They Die?

by Mindy Avra Portnoy, Lesley O. Simpson (Illustrator)

Young children ask adults this question, and although each reassuring answer is different, they all lead back to the same simple truth: When people die, "They go to God. Who is everywhere." Includes an afterward and helpful suggestions for parents.

Genres: Death, Picture Books, Grief, Childrens

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. There are some really good things about this book. It is straightforward and simple. It has some religious messages, but it also has some secular ones, and even as a godless heathen, I didn't find the God stuff heavy-handed. It is more presented as part of a list of possibilities. The background drawings are nice, but the faces of the people are strange, and it made the art distracting. Overall, this is a good, basic book with a thoughtful approach if you don't mind heaven and God being mentioned.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different children ask an adult the same question: "Where Do People Go When They Die?" Reading/hearing the diverse responses one after another may be confusing for young children. Presumes belief in God and Heaven, which is stated directly in some of the answers.

Some of the backgrounds are so busy that it is difficult to tell what is going on in the pictures.

Some general advice appears in the back of the book regarding how to talk to children about death. Personally, I'm not bowled over by this picture book, but some people may find it helpful.

[Kiana Davee · Rating 4 out of 5]

controversial topic

[aye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always ask myself, "What will happen if I die?" whenever I feel sad, drained, and stressed, but honestly, I just want this part to end, and dying is not the solution.

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and helpful book on a very heavy subject

[Jacquelyn Hoogendyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Do People Go When They Die? by Lesley O. Simpson is short picture book about a child trying to figure out where people go when they die. She asks each one of her loved ones where they think people go when they die and each loved one has a different response to her question. After hearing all of her loved ones responses she decides what she thinks happens when you die. This book would be great to use in a classroom lesson about death. I feel that this would be a great introduction book that would lead to a great open place for discussion with the class about what everyone thinks happens when they die. I would love to use this in classes with a lesson on different perspectives and what others think happens when you die. I loved reading this book and seeing all the different things that people think happens to you when you die.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Do People Go When They Die by Mindy Portnoy and illus. by Shelly Haas, published 2004.
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Picture Book
Plot Summary: A child talks about death with several adult figures in his life and is given different perspectives on what happens after death from people going to God, to our memories, to our hearts. The back of the book also features a section for parents on how to deal with these questions.
Considerations: Contains a Judeo-Christian perspective on the afterlife that may not appeal to all readers.
Review Citation: Booklist July 2004.
Selection Source: National Association for School Psychologists Resource List
Recommended Ages: Ages 3 - 5.

[Ashley Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. I would read this book to my students because it talks about where people go when they die, but does not impose one "main" belief on the students. This way students religious beliefs are not questioned if they do not believe what their friends believe. I would use this if a classmate, student, family member, or faculty member passed away.

[Salsabrarian]

This simple book provides various answers to "Where do people go when they die?" such as they are in our hearts and memories, they return to the earth and nature, they continue living in us, etc. A note for parents follows discussing appropriate ways to answer children's questions about death.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young children ask adults this question, and although each reassuring answer is different, they all lead back to the same simple truth: When people die, "They go to God. Who is everywhere." Includes an afterward and helpful suggestions for parents.

[Bottom Shelf Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://bottomshelfbooks.blogspot.com/...

[Recognizepromise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple book about various answers given to kids when they ask about death. It's easy to read and includes a afterword from the author and suggestions for parents.

[Danica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent helping my kids understand a death a little better. Pretty sentiments.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children ask various relatives this question, and the answer varies from person to person. Not a religious book. Nice for the 7 year old.

[Elaine Pelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory book for young children who have questions about death. Perfect for agnostic families.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about death for all ages. I've read it aloud at memorials and in a classroom setting.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose is beautiful and wonderfully laid out with the illustrations. I'm not sure that very young kids will "get" it, but it is simple enough and eclectic enough to be of general use.