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Lighthouse: A Story Of Remembrance
Best-selling author Robert Munsch's poignant story is about a little girl and how she begins to heal after the loss of her grandfather.
Young Sarah Gillis can't sleep following her grandpa's funeral, so she wakes up her dad in the middle of the night. He agrees to take her where Grandpa used to take him as a boy--the lighthouse. On the way there, Sarah and her dad drink coffee and eat donuts--just as Grandpa would have liked. When they climb to the top of the lighthouse, Sarah throws a flower out to sea in her grandpa's memory.
Robert Munsch's tender story is about honoring those who have passed and keeping their memory alive. Janet Wilson's detailed and dramatic illustrations add a warm and gentle touch to a sensitive topic.
Young Sarah Gillis can't sleep following her grandpa's funeral, so she wakes up her dad in the middle of the night. He agrees to take her where Grandpa used to take him as a boy--the lighthouse. On the way there, Sarah and her dad drink coffee and eat donuts--just as Grandpa would have liked. When they climb to the top of the lighthouse, Sarah throws a flower out to sea in her grandpa's memory.
Robert Munsch's tender story is about honoring those who have passed and keeping their memory alive. Janet Wilson's detailed and dramatic illustrations add a warm and gentle touch to a sensitive topic.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Robert Munsch
289 books1,675 followersRobert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)
Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.
He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)
Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 5, 2025
It was a heartwarming story of generations.
June 2, 2009
I would definitely consider giving two and a half stars to this book.
This is possibly my favorite Robert Munsch story. Taking an unusually understated approach to the sobering subject of a loved one's death, "Lighthouse" carefully and tenderly shows how one father and daughter react to the passing away of their father/grandfather. The writing acumen displayed goes well beyond competence, and the result is a fine product from the mind of Robert Munsch. "Lighthouse" almost perfectly walks the line between sweetness and sadness.
In addition, the oil paintings of Janet Wilson are breathtaking, and complement the narrative very nicely.
This is possibly my favorite Robert Munsch story. Taking an unusually understated approach to the sobering subject of a loved one's death, "Lighthouse" carefully and tenderly shows how one father and daughter react to the passing away of their father/grandfather. The writing acumen displayed goes well beyond competence, and the result is a fine product from the mind of Robert Munsch. "Lighthouse" almost perfectly walks the line between sweetness and sadness.
In addition, the oil paintings of Janet Wilson are breathtaking, and complement the narrative very nicely.
January 9, 2016
One of Munsch's most beautiful works, aside from "I love you forever"! The illustrations were so beautiful I couldn't help but stare! i took my time so I could look at every little detail! beautiful! the story was beautiful! touches the heart! It would teach kids about loss...
one of my favourites!!
one of my favourites!!
April 16, 2019
Lighthouse by Robert Munsch is a story of a little girl and her father going to a lighthouse in the middle of the night. The father tells the little girl that her grandfather did the very same thing with him when he was a little boy. They talked of the things that they did, but also the things that are different now. Like, when he was little, there were no lights on the street, and no doughnut shops open in the middle of the night, but now there is. So they stopped to get doughnuts. When the father was little they checked to see if they could go up in the lighthouse, but it was always locked. The little girl pushed on the door, and it was open. They went up in the lighthouse, and looked out at the ocean. The father remembered his father, and doing this when he was little, and the little girl remembered her grandfather, and cherished this moment that he could spend with her father, just like he spent with his father all those years ago. In the end she lets go of the flower from her grandfather's funeral, and they go back home.
I give this story 5/5 stars. It was such a wonderful story. This story can teach children how important it is to remember loved ones after the pass away, and to also cherish the time you have with your family. It makes me want to be with my family now, and cherish every moment. The story flowed very well, and honestly filled me with a lot of joy. The illustrations added a very warm component to the story also. Robert Munsch is an amazing writer, and this is definitely a book that should be in every classroom, and on every child's bookshelf.
I give this story 5/5 stars. It was such a wonderful story. This story can teach children how important it is to remember loved ones after the pass away, and to also cherish the time you have with your family. It makes me want to be with my family now, and cherish every moment. The story flowed very well, and honestly filled me with a lot of joy. The illustrations added a very warm component to the story also. Robert Munsch is an amazing writer, and this is definitely a book that should be in every classroom, and on every child's bookshelf.
December 30, 2018
Dear Mr. Munsch,
Thank you for making me cry.
I think this book should be the book that Robert Munsch is remembered for, not the I Love You Forever book.
The story, along with the artwork is so beautiful; I think I love this book so much because it reminds me of the things that I used to do with my grandfather before he passed away. It's a story of remembrance, and remember I did; I think that's why I cried as well. It's a touching story, and it's so beautiful, this one is going to have a special place in my heart forever.
Thank you for making me cry.
I think this book should be the book that Robert Munsch is remembered for, not the I Love You Forever book.
The story, along with the artwork is so beautiful; I think I love this book so much because it reminds me of the things that I used to do with my grandfather before he passed away. It's a story of remembrance, and remember I did; I think that's why I cried as well. It's a touching story, and it's so beautiful, this one is going to have a special place in my heart forever.
October 22, 2025
Sarah sat on her dad’s bed until he woke up in the middle of the night. She wanted him to take her to the lighthouse just as his father had done with him. They walked the road in the fog and were able to go up into the lighthouse, which was a memory-making experience for them. This is a sweet story about loss and cherished memories of loved ones. Gorgeously illustrated.
October 16, 2017
This is a beautiful book, both in story and illustrations. It is about a young girl who wants her father to take her to the lighthouse in the middle of the night because his father used to take him there. Lovely book.
November 20, 2020
Well illustrated with a good message about passing along family traditions in order to keep in touch with family. However, it was just a little bit wordy for me, because I would want my nieces and nephews to hear the whole story.
June 8, 2017
A story about remembering and saying goodbye to a love one who has passed.
June 11, 2019
Beautiful story about a trip to a lighthouse and remembering a loved one.
January 10, 2020
Love love love this book! So simple yet so profound!!!!
January 20, 2020
I have to say this is a super great book, especially with the pictures. Very good story and touched me a lot.
January 16, 2022
Super cute book pictures were cute
September 26, 2022
A father takes his daughter to visit a Lighthouse in the middle of the night to honor his father. Beautiful illustrations!
August 13, 2024
I want to see a lighthouse in the night too- Khi 3
April 5, 2025
A father and daughter take an unconventional midnight trip to honor the beloved grandfather.
September 21, 2018
A short sullen yet hopeful story about a girl and her father finding a connection to her deceased Grandfather through an old lighthouse he used to visit.
July 13, 2013
Lighthouse: A Story of Remembrance.
By Robert Munsch. Illustrated by Janet Wilson. North Winds Press/Scholastic Canada, 2003. 32 pages.
Genre: Picture book
Recommended age level: Primary (4-8 years)
Subjects and themes: death, loss, grandparents, bonds between generations, grief, healing
Finding it difficult to sleep following her beloved grandfather's funeral, young Sarah wakes up her dad in the middle of the night and asks him to take her to the lighthouse, a place her father frequently visited with her grandfather as a child. Getting doughnuts and coffee on the way - just as Grandpa would have liked- and climbing to the top of the lighthouse - just as Grandpa would have done - Sarah and her father honour the memory of a cherished family member.
In a break from his usually exuberant and comical stories, Munsch has created a beautiful and touching story about healing after loss. Rather than presenting the reader with every detail, the author has us piece together the background to discover that Sarah's grandfather has just recently died. So recently, in fact, that the funeral flowers are still fresh. As she undertakes this nighttime adventure of remembrance with her father, she finds a way to both connect with the memory of her grandfather and to let him go. Munsch deals with Sarah's desire to keep her grandfather's memory alive in a gentle and sensitive way.
The illustrations in this book are phenomenal, evoking feelings of wistfulness and comfort. What a change for a book by Robert Munsch, whose stories are usually accompanied by the frenetic drawings of Michael Martchenko! Lighthouse is a beautiful book that will have universal appeal to anyone who has suffered a loss.
Genre: Picture book
Recommended age level: Primary (4-8 years)
Subjects and themes: death, loss, grandparents, bonds between generations, grief, healing
Finding it difficult to sleep following her beloved grandfather's funeral, young Sarah wakes up her dad in the middle of the night and asks him to take her to the lighthouse, a place her father frequently visited with her grandfather as a child. Getting doughnuts and coffee on the way - just as Grandpa would have liked- and climbing to the top of the lighthouse - just as Grandpa would have done - Sarah and her father honour the memory of a cherished family member.
In a break from his usually exuberant and comical stories, Munsch has created a beautiful and touching story about healing after loss. Rather than presenting the reader with every detail, the author has us piece together the background to discover that Sarah's grandfather has just recently died. So recently, in fact, that the funeral flowers are still fresh. As she undertakes this nighttime adventure of remembrance with her father, she finds a way to both connect with the memory of her grandfather and to let him go. Munsch deals with Sarah's desire to keep her grandfather's memory alive in a gentle and sensitive way.
The illustrations in this book are phenomenal, evoking feelings of wistfulness and comfort. What a change for a book by Robert Munsch, whose stories are usually accompanied by the frenetic drawings of Michael Martchenko! Lighthouse is a beautiful book that will have universal appeal to anyone who has suffered a loss.
February 26, 2015
Personal Reaction:
I really enjoyed the story of this book. It is about a grandpa and a little girl and the remembrance of a special light house. This is such a cute story and it hits home for me. This reminds me of my grandpa who died in 2000, and it brings me back to memories of him. I think of the special times we had again and it brings a sweet smile to my face.
Purpose:
This book would be good for second and third graders, This would be a good independent read or maybe even a read-aloud where you write a reflection afterwards. You could read the story and then say do you have a special memory with someone in your family? Then you could ask them to write a reflection for 5 to 10 minutes on what that memory is. I would then ask them to share with the class if they feel comfortable.
I really enjoyed the story of this book. It is about a grandpa and a little girl and the remembrance of a special light house. This is such a cute story and it hits home for me. This reminds me of my grandpa who died in 2000, and it brings me back to memories of him. I think of the special times we had again and it brings a sweet smile to my face.
Purpose:
This book would be good for second and third graders, This would be a good independent read or maybe even a read-aloud where you write a reflection afterwards. You could read the story and then say do you have a special memory with someone in your family? Then you could ask them to write a reflection for 5 to 10 minutes on what that memory is. I would then ask them to share with the class if they feel comfortable.
October 20, 2011
A story of remembrance that leaves one, not with a sense of sorrow, but of continuity, appreciation and sweet memories. Sarah has often heard her father talk about how his father used to wake him in the middle of the night to go visit the local lighthouse. Shortly after her granddad’s death, Sarah wakes up her father to tell him that it was the right night to take her on this journey of remembrance. Through this short journey they do all the things that Grandad did, or would have done had they been possible, linking the past with the present. The illustrations are dark and slightly blurred giving a wistful kind of hint to the narrative. Certainly a book to read to a young child who has recently lost a grandparent, but a story that also has universal appeal.
July 12, 2016
Munsch, R. (2003). Lighthouse: A Story Of Remembrance. NY: Scholastic, Inc.
This book almost brought me to tears because I thought it was so sweet how the daughter wanted to make going to the lighthouse a family tradition. I this is a wonderful book, because it definitely makes the reader feel a certain way. I this book would be great for children ages 8-10 just because it speaks about things that may be to complex for younger children. Overall I think this is a wonderful book.
This book almost brought me to tears because I thought it was so sweet how the daughter wanted to make going to the lighthouse a family tradition. I this is a wonderful book, because it definitely makes the reader feel a certain way. I this book would be great for children ages 8-10 just because it speaks about things that may be to complex for younger children. Overall I think this is a wonderful book.
May 13, 2010
Sarah and her dad go to the lighthouse in the middle of the night like his dad did in the past. Yes, more lights and longer store hours exist now, but the feelings are the same. At the lighthouse Sarah releases the flower from her grandpa's funeral. She says that she'll bring her kid here in the middle of the night some day as well. This is also a story of traditions.
August 24, 2013
A very beautiful book. Her's Munsch teaming up with a realistic illustrator to create a truly gorgeous book. I love how Janet Wilson draws (paints?) the eyelashes on the dad. It's also a moving story that ties in three generations.
January 18, 2016
A sad and wonderful tale about remembering those who have passed on, this is a title I was lucky enough to get at Book Expo Canada '03, and was autographed by both Robert Munsch and the illustrator, Janet Wilson. I gave it to my niece and nephew.
October 5, 2016
People should read this book because it brings them close together and shows how to spend time with the ones that mean the most in your life and. Show the ones that you love the most share your traditions.
March 5, 2008
This story we also listened to on Robert Munsch's web page. I thought it was cute. And I liked hearing the background that he gave about the little girl the story is written about.
May 24, 2011
Quiet Sunday night, stuck at the back desk kind of read.
October 10, 2012
Pretty standard for Remembrance Day.
October 28, 2020
A fabulous book about remembering a grandfather.
February 27, 2015
A story of remembrance and traditions. Not your typical Munch story. Beautifully illustrated.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews