The Treasure Box

“This closely observed portrait of a shared bond between a grandparent and grandchild explores love and loss. . . When he dies, Keane (Who Wants a Tortoise?) expresses the child’s grief with restraint—the memorial service is “a sad party you have when someone dies”—and the loss slowly leads to someone new to share treasure with. Keane writes with sensitivity and deep feeling, and Bell’s images give the story freshness and immediacy.” —Publishers Weekly

“A forthright, genuinely kid-centered look not just at the death of a loved one but also the pain of watching them becoming increasingly ill. The girl’s simple, observant narration strips the artifice and platitudes from the experience (‘I go with Mommy and Daddy to Grandpa’s memorial, which is a sad party you have when someone dies’), a welcome reprieve to grieving youngsters tired of adults’ euphemisms about death and sadness.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“This touching story depicts a young girl’s coming to terms with her sadness at the loss of her beloved grandfather as she discovers her memories of him are treasures of the heart. . . The remarkably intricate, handmade textures fill the characters and scenes with a unique tangibility, reflecting how meaningful and impressionable the times shared with loved ones are.” —School Library Journal