The answer to the question posed in the title of this story and within by young Ross is – sadly – never. His big sister Fay breaks the bad news, but Ross isn’t ready to accept it. Worrying about the health of the family’s other pets keeps him and therefore Fay awake at night, so Fay decides on a trip to the library to teach him what happens when a woodlouse is ‘incredibly dead’.
Books provide exactly the information Ross needs and this funny but important story concludes with a funeral, as well as the naming of a new mini-beast pet.
As a story to help children understand the end of life this is hard to beat, but as a depiction of family life, it’s dead good too.
A picture book about bereavement that isn't at all depressing!
When his pet woodlouse won't wake up one day, Ross learns from his big sister all about definite, incredible deadness. But if Lord Jeffry isn't here anymore, where exactly is he?
The siblings go to the library to see if they can find out, and although Ross misses his pet, he is comforted thinking of the adventures he might be having now.
Eating pears in heaven . . . reincarnated into another animal . . . or perhaps all of his goodness has gone back into the earth to grow something beautiful.
Sarah Tagholm is a children's author who loves writing about confused animals, mischievous children and all things bizarro. She is passionate about encouraging a love of reading, libraries and availability of books for all children.
Sarah lives with her husband and son in Cornwall, where they spend so much time in the sea it's a wonder they haven't grown gills!
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