You Hold Me and I'll Hold You by Jo Carson

Illustrated by Annie Cannon. 32 p., Orchard, 1992.

In this story, a girl's great-aunt, whom she is not particularly close to, dies. The story shows the girl's attempts to come to terms with what death means by comparing the experience to the loss of her sister's hamster. The girl, her sister, and her Daddy attend the funeral at a church. At the funeral, she's surprised and worried to see her step-grandmother, Grandpa, and Daddy crying - she hadn't realized that adults cried. Being held on her Daddy's lap helps her feel better. This story honestly addresses the girl's distress that results from the grief of the adults around her.

Ages 3-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American