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Sweets
Two friends, a rabbit and a cat, speculate about what heaven will be like as they enjoy a visit to the park. Suggested level: junior.
52 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 15, 2012
Two friends head off to the park to talk, snack, and relax. Over jellybeans and hot chocolate, the pair ends up discussing, guessing, and wondering about heaven.
“I’m going if you’re going, that’s for sure.”
Such a warm, cute, touching--yet serious--exchange on the afterlife that will make you smile and wonder yourself. The power of this story truly snuck up on me.
A pure, sweet delight!
2/14/12
“I’m going if you’re going, that’s for sure.”
Such a warm, cute, touching--yet serious--exchange on the afterlife that will make you smile and wonder yourself. The power of this story truly snuck up on me.
A pure, sweet delight!
2/14/12
October 12, 2015
My daughter picked this at the library, thinking it was about jellybeans (because the title is jellybeans), we took it home. Well, it's not about jellybeans. It's about death and the afterlife. WHAT? Um, ok. Putting aside the misleading title, still not a good book. Weird format, bland illustrations, and a morose discussion. Stupid.
November 19, 2007
bizarre book, definitely not what i expected. it's possible that there should be a disclaimer on it or something.
October 21, 2011
This is a little gem of a book about friendship now and forever. Understated, yet charming pictures convey the gentle emotions. I rarely buy books, but I ordered a copy of this one.
April 25, 2021
2 year old recently discovered Jellybeans (her first taste of candy, thank you, Easter Bunny) and was excited to find a book about Jellybeans at the library.
Is it about Jellybeans? Not really.
Is it way too existential for a 2 y.o? Definitely.
Did we enjoy it anyways? Yes!
(sidenote, these reviews are hilarious)
Is it about Jellybeans? Not really.
Is it way too existential for a 2 y.o? Definitely.
Did we enjoy it anyways? Yes!
(sidenote, these reviews are hilarious)
August 4, 2017
Not at all what I was expecting when I picked the book up based on the title and cover. If someone needs to talk about heaven with their child, this is a nice book to help get the conversation started. The illustrations are simple and lighthearted for a difficult topic.
January 21, 2025
Sweet book about afterlife! The conversation between two friends was casual and cozy. I thought it would be more in depth discussion but it is a children’s picture book after all. The seemingly simple conversation is staying with me, and making me think like a brain warm
June 19, 2017
Weird little kid book of two cartoon rabbits musing about the afterlife.
October 27, 2017
This book took an odd turn...
February 25, 2019
Els llibres són més bonics si són dedicats <3
June 22, 2021
Filosofia
January 4, 2022
A little curious. But cute enough.
March 29, 2024
Little book, big gems
October 29, 2014
Sweets by Sylvia van Ommen
I can't help but like this book, although I do find it to be somewhat unusual (all part of its charm), and I'll admit right away that I'm not sure I would ever use it in a classroom situation.
The black and white nature of the book at first seems like it may detract from the visual appeal, however the simple line drawings are charming and manage to be full of character. This book reads a little like an adult newspaper comic strip, one of those that uses cartoon techniques to raise interesting questions or dilemmas, and in fact 'Sweets' does just that.
On a lovely day 2 friends arrange to meet in the park to eat some sweets, Joris wIll bring the sweets, and Oscar will bring the drinks. Once the friends meet they settle in the park then, rather philosophically, begin to discuss whether there is a heaven and what it will be like if they go there, and, most importantly to them, whether they would still be friends.
It's interesting to see a subject like this tackled in this way. No religious overtones (other than the concept of heaven) are present and actually the conversation the characters have focuses on how they could continue their friendship if they ended up in heaven.
"What if it's so big you never bump into anybody?"
"Or so crowded that we never find each other?"
I imagine that this book would lead to some interesting questions in a classroom situation, but I am unsure that I would ever use it within a classroom with such a wide range of literature available.
I can't help but like this book, although I do find it to be somewhat unusual (all part of its charm), and I'll admit right away that I'm not sure I would ever use it in a classroom situation.
The black and white nature of the book at first seems like it may detract from the visual appeal, however the simple line drawings are charming and manage to be full of character. This book reads a little like an adult newspaper comic strip, one of those that uses cartoon techniques to raise interesting questions or dilemmas, and in fact 'Sweets' does just that.
On a lovely day 2 friends arrange to meet in the park to eat some sweets, Joris wIll bring the sweets, and Oscar will bring the drinks. Once the friends meet they settle in the park then, rather philosophically, begin to discuss whether there is a heaven and what it will be like if they go there, and, most importantly to them, whether they would still be friends.
It's interesting to see a subject like this tackled in this way. No religious overtones (other than the concept of heaven) are present and actually the conversation the characters have focuses on how they could continue their friendship if they ended up in heaven.
"What if it's so big you never bump into anybody?"
"Or so crowded that we never find each other?"
I imagine that this book would lead to some interesting questions in a classroom situation, but I am unsure that I would ever use it within a classroom with such a wide range of literature available.
September 17, 2014
I liked the drawings in this one. It's about a rabbit and a cat who meet in the park to eat jellybeans and drink hot chocolate, and how they'll meet in heaven if there is one. I think they will but if they don't, it's ok. They're both nice and will make other friends.
I really really love this one so much that we are buying it. That way someone else can get it from the library and they'll like it too, and I can read it any time I want to.
I really really love this one so much that we are buying it. That way someone else can get it from the library and they'll like it too, and I can read it any time I want to.
August 7, 2008
Right from the beginning, I was put off by the two animal friends texting each other on cell phones. Then the pop theology started, and I almost stopped reading. But I kept reading because I didn't want to miss the ending just in case it had any redeeming qualities, but it didn't.
November 11, 2009
Definitely too mature for my 14-month old son. I was a bit confused at the beginning, until I realized that the two characters were text messaging each other. (isn't that strange for a picture book?) It could be a good segue for talking about death/life after death with your child.
January 5, 2012
Waiting for Godot meets jelly beans, a rabbit and a cat. I liked this book and its "What if . . ." "What might be. . " discussion about heaven and afterlife possibilities. Not enough children's books explore these types of open ended discussions.
September 8, 2014
Very quirky and "European." I think this book is open ended enough to be appreciated by kids and adults. My kids liked the jellybeans and hot chocolate friendship story, while I appreciated it as an odd "Waiting for Godot" sort of thing. I have no idea what the author intended with this book!
June 14, 2016
I found this book quite charming and fun. I am having a hard time seeing why it has such a low rating. It is a bit sad how it talks about death, and it is a bit controversial in talking about heaving, but it does revolve around friendship and food.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2016
Totally weird. It was with all the kids' books, but I can't see any reason a kid would be interested. I had to switch the words because I didn't need to be reading stuff about dying and "heaven" to my 3 year old. Bizarre book. I am flummoxed as to how it even got published.
March 26, 2008
Title in English: Sweets. Available in English from Winged Chariot Press.
This book is utterly charming. Among the top 5 picture books I've ever read.
This book is utterly charming. Among the top 5 picture books I've ever read.
May 18, 2008
I love this little book by fellow Dutchie.
It discusses heaven in a fresh way. It's touching and deep.
It discusses heaven in a fresh way. It's touching and deep.
June 4, 2010
Odd picture book involving two animals texting each other to meet in the park with jellybeans and hot chocolate, then it goes into discussion about life after death and will they meet up again.
March 3, 2011
Don't let the cover fool you, there is no color in the drawings. They are good though.
Story didn't really work for me.
Story didn't really work for me.
July 11, 2014
Oscar and George meet in the park and talk about heaven over jellybeans and hot chocolate. Open-ended and non-preachy.
August 16, 2011
Two friends, a rabbit and a cat, speculate about what heaven will be like as they enjoy a visit to the park.
May 2, 2015
this was not at all what I expected the book to be about. it was kind of weird for a kids book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews