The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing

by Molly B. Burnham

An enchanting middle grade about navigating the odd spaces between grieving and everyday living, and learning to carry sadness in one hand, and joy in the other.

Ten-year-old Dottie Bing is a problem-solver and question-asker who is never more gleeful than when she’s encountering a new dilemma-- whether it’s her own, or someone else’s. But when her Grandpa Walter comes to stay (and stay, and stay!) he brings the biggest question that Dottie has ever How do you heal a broken heart?

You see, Grandpa Walter is grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Dottie's Grandma Ima. Even though she knows every solution starts with a question, for the first time in her life, Dottie isn't sure what to ask.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Grief, Death, Childrens, Juvenile, Divorce

208 pages, Hardcover

Published January 17, 2023

Reviews

[Sally Kruger · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to Grandma Ima, "the solution to every problem starts with a question." Dottie lives by this rule, and it has been serving her well. Now that Grandma Ima has passed away and Grandpa Walter has come to live with Dottie's family, she is hoping Ima's philosophy will help her overcome the sadness she feels every day.

When Grandpa Walter showed up unannounced, he brought with him a can of Chock full O'Nuts, but instead of being filled with the famous coffee, it is filled with Grandma Ima's ashes. Grandpa carries it with him 24/7. He pours two cups of coffee every morning so Ima can have one. He chats with Ima all the time, and he even plays cards with her to pass the time. Dottie is completely frustrated. Not only does she think Grandpa is weird and unhappy, but he has moved into her room, so she has to share with her little sister Jazzy.

The only thing Dottie thinks can help with how she is feeling is to use her energy to build a tree house. She has always wanted one, and she remembers Grandma Ima also mentioned wanting to have one when she was a girl. With the help of her best friend Sam and her new friend Miles, Dottie embarks on a mission to build her dream. No matter how hard she works, it seems like there's one problem after another.

Author Molly B. Burnham's sweet story helps explain feelings and how they often take over our lives. Using imaginative characters and wonderful humor, Burnham shares the ups and downs of losing someone special and all the feels that result. THE INFINITE QUESTIONS OF DOTTIE BING is a surefire winner in my book!

[Rachel Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook on Libby

Cassandra Campbell is the narrator for this middle grade novel, and she does a wonderful job! Her method of doing voices for both the kid and adult characters reminds me of how Stockard Channing narrated the Ramona books... gentle changes in her voice that still made each character an individual.

Molly Burnham also reminded me of the way Beverly Cleary wrote the Ramona books, because the way Dottie thinks is so reflective of a real little girl. When I was 10, I also wanted to keep some secrets until I was ready to share them; I also couldn't explain to adults that I wasn't being rude, I had an alligator in my throat (So Many Emotions) that was keeping me from being able to communicate.

This books discusses the death of Dottie's grandmother, and how Grandpa Walter now carries Grandma Ima's ashes around in a coffee can. And talks to the coffee can. And sleeps with the coffee can. As an adult, I can both understand the grief process that Grandpa Walter must be going through, but I also empathize with Dottie because this behavior makes her uncomfortable, but she can't figure out what to do about her feelings.

[Hillary Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Claire and I started started reading this book aloud before bed. She grew impatient with me and finished it on her own.

Dottie Bing is a young girl who lost her grandmother, Ima. Her Grandpa Walter comes to live with the family and totes around Ima’s ashes in a Chock Full O’Nuts can. Dottie struggles with her own sadness and experiences waves of grief as if a jumble of animals are moving around inside of her. She hopes building a tree house with her friends will make her happy again, but Sam and Miles are also going through some significant changes—Sam’s mother is expecting a new baby and Miles’ parents are getting a divorce.

Dottie goes through some big feelings as she thinks Grandpa Walter is there to stay when he moves into her bedroom. She hopes Grandpa Walter can move on and get “better”—“out of sight out of mind,” like Ima used to say. Grandpa Walter challenges Dottie and explains “we can’t feel happiness without feeling sadness” (173.)

Overall, not my favorite middle grade book, but a very cute book with a lot of opportunity for discussion.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Ten-year-old Dottie lives with her mother, father, and four-year-old sister Jazzy. Her grandmother, Ima, has passed away, and one day her Grandpa Walter shows up at the family door ready to move in. He takes Dottie's room, uses the bathroom when she needs to get in to get ready for school, and carries around a Chock full o'Nuts can with Ima's ashes in it that he converses with. Dottie struggles with emotions surrounding this change, and frequently compares them to animals. Her best friend is Sam, and the two have a plan to build a tree house. At first, they don't want to tell any adults and want to build it themselves, but they eventually have to ask for some help. They also get help from Miles Huckatony, a neighbor who has previously been quite unhelpful. Grandpa Walter continues to stay with the family, and even asks to paint Dottie's room green because Ima likes the color. Dottie eventually hatches a plan to hide the coffee can from her grandfather, hoping that this will help him move on. Will this be an effective strategy?
Strengths: It's fairly common for children Dottie's age to lose a grandparent; my grandmother died when I was 11, after spending the summer with my family. There are not too many books that address this. Dottie's interest in building the tree house, partly because Ima always wanted one, gives a little more framework to the story of processing grief. Her friendship with Sam is good to see, and her growing understanding of the challenges that Miles faces is a good example of understanding others. I especially appreciated that while Dottie was somewhat put out by losing her room, she was generally fairly understanding about her grandfather's presence, and didn't complain all that much.
Weaknesses: I couldn't help worrying that Grandpa Walter was descending into dementia and really should be assessed by a medical professional. At the very least, he should have gotten some grief counseling. The parents should not have let him talk to the coffee can with young children in the house.
What I really think: I can see this being a successful book in an elementary school, but Dottie seemed very young for ten. Between the description of her emotions as animals, her belief that zombies lived in a house in the neighborhood, and the fact that she and Sam thought that they could build a tree house with no help and without anyone knowing, I think that older readers will struggle to connect with her.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Dottie Bing is grieving the death of her beloved grandmother Ima. Some days she feels like she has an alligator inside her. When Grandpa Walter comes to stay with her family, he brings a Chock Full of Nuts coffee can which he says contains Ima’s ashes; And he will go nowhere without the can.

Dottie wants to cheer him up because (1) he has taken her bedroom and, (2) when he naps, she and her friends can’t build the tree house that she thinks will make her happy; (3) She wants her grandfather to not be sad (and talk to and play cards with the coffee can). As her problems escalate so do the “animals” in her stomach and around her neck. Luckily she has her best friend Sam and, it appears, their former enemy Miles, to help her and her question, “What would Ima do?” to lead her.

I loved this story of a resource young girl who asks all the right questions, solves problems, learns to accept what she didn’t expect —“Dottie hadn’t expected Ima to die. She hadn‘t expected to build a tree house. And she sure hadn’t expected Grandpa Walter to move in. Was there anything in life that could be expected? (126)—and that everyone may not be as they seem. “And she realized that as much as she hated Miles, the truth was that maybe he wasn’t as bad as she thought.” (83)…She hadn’t thought she had anything in common with Miles, but maybe they were more similar than she realized.” (100)

A story of loss, grief, and friendship.

[Chandler Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten-year old Dottie Bing is on a mission to build a tree house. Ever since her grandmother, Ima, passed away, Dottie's insides have been taken over by an alligator, a porcupine, an octopus, and a bison. Dottie thinks if she can build the tree house Ima never had, her inner zoo will go away. But just as Dottie and her best friend Sam begin planning the greatest tree house ever, Grandpa Walter arrives with a Chock Full o' Nuts can that never leaves his side. Dottie's parents decide Grandpa Walter will be staying until he is no longer sad and if Grandpa Walter is staying with them, that means no noisy tree house building until further notice. How can Dottie make Grandpa Walter happy so he will leave and she can get back to the tree house?

This is a simple story that is just all about one girl's need to build a tree house. It also delves into grief and how people process their grief while touching on the realities of living with a loved one who was cremated. Surprisingly, Dottie does not ask a lot of questions throughout the book - that's more the realm of her sister, Jazzy. The one question Dottie returns to frequently is "What would Ima do?" There is a blink and you'll miss it reference to an LGBTQIA character early on when it is mentioned that on the first day of kindergarten, "Sam told the class that he was he and to stop calling him she." There are definitely some complex ideas addressed in this book but with the appropriate sentiments of a ten-year-old.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Dottie doesn't know how to handle her grief after her grandmother's death. She knows she has several animals running around in her stomach and she tries to ignore them. When her grandpa comes to visit, he bring Ima's ashes with him. This makes the animals even more agitated. She escapes by playing a Truth or Fake game with her best friend, Sam, and then by deciding to build a treehouse. When a new friend joins in, the three of them brainstorm ways to make Dottie feel better. Readers see them implement their ideas and create even more chaos. They also see that all three - Dottie, Sam, Miles - have major changes in their lives, and all three need to find coping skills. This will resonate with upper elementary level readers as they look at their own lives and find connections. The description of the animals is powerful as Dottie describes each and what it does.
Burnham offers a lighter look at grief and other changes while offering readers affirmation that their feelings are okay and accepted.

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dottie Bing loves questions. When her beloved grandmother Ima dies, and her grandfather moves in with them, she doesn’t know how to deal with his grief or her own. She decides to build a treehouse to honor her grandmother, which gives her more questions.

I think it’s a sweet story but I wish she made more progress on the tree house throughout the book. I thought it was a long lasting problem.

“She didn’t want to think about Ima again, or the alligator crawling up her neck, so instead, she would think about questions.” Ch 8

“How could one question be so impossible to answer? It was like trying to decide if you wanted to be chased by zombies or thrown in a pit with poisonous snakes. Either way, it was bad news.” Ch 9

“Miles… is a thorn in your side. But don’t forget Dottie, wherever there’s a thorn, there’s also a rose.” Ch 10

“Important things did need to be protected. But what was more important…” ch 46

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as near perfect as a story can get... Maybe even better? Absolute joy to read a story as cleverly crafted as this especially about such an important topic as grief and loss. This is a book kids need. Animals used to describe feelings, friendships created with enemies in a very real and absolutely magical way, great ways to expand vocabulary and questions.... Lots and lots of life's problems solved with questions.... What more could you want....

Tree house, humour, zombies and terrible teachers.... This book has everything out needs and more... And absolute joy and delight even when dealing with a topic that needs time, poise and grace.... This is perfect! Thank you for such a great book and a quick read too under 200 pages.... Could there be a better book to read to 3rd grade? As good as The Elephant by Peter Carnavas and that is my highest compliment! Loved it!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dottie is trying to work through some big feelings after the death of her grandmother Ima. She feels like her throat and stomach are full of animals that sometimes keep her from being able to talk. When her Grandfather Walter suddenly appears at her house, her world becomes even more unsettled. Not only does Walter take over her bedroom, he carries around Ima’s ashes in a Chock Full o’ Nuts coffee can everywhere he goes. Dottie, with the help of friends, decides that the only solution is to build a treehouse because Ima always wanted to have a treehouse. Between not disturbing Walter during his frequent naps and her friends’ own family issues, the treehouse project never seems to go anywhere. This book about grief, family, friendship, and change will appeal to upper elementary readers.

[SamSamSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very age appropriate exploration of grief, emotional avoidance and boundaries. I loved the incredibly casual inclusion of a trans main character.
What frustrated me about this story was the severe lack of caring adults for these kids to turn to. Dottie basically isn't allowed to have boundaries, and no one, not even her parents, will stand up for her. That was painful to read and I don't think it was thoroughly resolved at all. The writing style was a bit tedious at times and the animals-in-the-stomach metaphor was beaten to death. This was a solidly in-the-middle read for me.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Dottie's beloved grandma Ima has died. Her grandfather is a little lost and a little sad, and now he's moving into Dottie's bedroom! Dottie wants to know what it will take for her life to return to "normal", to a time when she didn't feel like a whole zoo was jumping around in her tummy. With her neighbor/best friend Sam, who is about to become a big brother, and Miles, whose parents are getting a divorce, Dottie tries to finds a way to calm her anxiety and find peace.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book detailing the grief of losing a grandparent. I think this detailed how it feels inside a child to lose a grandparent and not properly deal with the grief really well, describing the feeling like a zoo of animals inside you. I also loved the character relationship between Dottie and her grandpa. I think it not only gave great insight to how it feels to move on from something like this as a child, but also as an adult.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

When her recently-widowed grandfather moves in, Dottie is sure it's for a short while. That's why she's so willing to give up her bedroom and allow her grandfather to paint her beautiful blue room green. However, she's concerned that he's carrying her grandmother's ashes around in a coffee can and talking to it! To take her mind off of it she decides to build a treehouse with her best friend Sam and new friend, Miles.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I really really enjoyed acknowledgment of the end.

“Like a treehouse, you need a tree. These people are the tree for my treehouse. They are the roots, the trunk, and the limbs. They are the leaves, the bark, the seeds, and the sap. I give thanks every day for their unwavering support and belief.”

[Emily Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little read about grief and friendship, perfect for second and third grade. “Sam’s words” got old after the first couple chapters— it reminds me a lot of the way Snicket did vocab in Unfortunate Events— but it’s certainly appropriate for the age group and allows this to be read by younger kids as well

[Vona Karns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great book. It really explains grief well - the different ways people deal with it, the different things that can cause grief (big life changes). It was a deep concept book written in a fun way.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dottie Bing's grandma has recently passed away, and her grandfather has come to visit and is staying in her room. This is a sweet story about learning to cope with the grief from a lost loved one. While the book deals with a serious subject, there is plenty of humor woven into it.

[Iliana Renova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve teared up over a few children’s books just because of the storyline. This one hits close to home because I have also lost a grandmother back in 2016 so I can understand the characters feelings of confusion and frustration of processing grief. Overall, this was such a sweet book.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story. Perfect for students who have suffered a loss.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a curious girl and dealing with her grandfather moving in after his wife's death. Grief and friendship intertwine and are dealt with well throughout the novel.

[Morgan E.H. C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for kids about how to handle grief.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story of how a young girl learns to move through grief and life and is helped by her friends.

[Dqk436sbcglobal.Net · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting. It gave a perspective from a young girl & how she dealt with her grief. Like an adult, she has her "person" who she shares her issues.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequoyah 2025

Honestly, a nice story but very forgettable.

[Elizabeth Seals · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent book about loss and friendship. I didn't find anything too spectacular about it.

[Zoey Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! I think if you like to sit and read for a while, this is amazing! It has really short chapters!