When I Die, Will I Get Better? [Hardcover]

Joeri Breebaart (Author), Piet Breebaart (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

This is a true story. It comes from the heart and soul of a five-and-half-year-old boy seeking to understand the sudden illness and death of his younger brother. Unable to understand what has happened, the boy slowly begins to tell a story to his father. In this way the boy is able to express his feelings and come to an understanding of his brother's death. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This intensely personal father-and-son collaboration came about after the death of Piet Breebaart's youngest child, Joeri's brother Remi. As the foreword explains, five-and-a-half-year-old Joeri became withdrawn and angry. Six weeks after Remi's death, the father mentioned Joe and Fred Rabbit, the characters they had invented for the tales they had told Remi; hoping to help Joeri in his mourning, Piet persuaded him to create a story in which Joe dies. This picture book, dictated by Breebaart fils and illustrated by Breebaart pere, is the result. Strong on matter-of-fact narrative and short on the superficial advice and saccharine psychobabble that pervade most bibliotherapy, the story features a host of animal characters who behave in very human ways. The ending, which finds Fred and his friends at play in the field where Joe is buried, is both poignant and hopeful, and may well be a real boost to readers struggling with grief. Preface not seen by PW. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Fred and Joe are rabbit brothers who live happily in their home at the edge of the wood, until one morning Joe does not get out of bed. At first Doctor Owl thinks he can cure him, but the little rabbit dies. The rest of the story tells how the neighbors help prepare for the burial, how Fred puts his brother's favorite books and toy into the coffin, and promises to play in the field close to the grave every day. After the funeral, Fred wants to be alone and is very angry; but gradually he and his parents, with the loving support of their friends, begin to feel better. Eventually the boy is able to laugh and play again. Straightforward, simply told, and moving, this book does not gloss over the finality of death or the sadness and anger that results, but makes it clear that the bereaved do return to normal life in time. The tone is gentle and honest. The plain, almost childlike, but expressive colored-pencil illustrations are very much in keeping with the mood and purpose of the text.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Peter Bedrick Books; 1st American Edition edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872263754
• ISBN-13: 978-0872263758
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,085,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book caught me., November 17, 2004

By 

Claire "Claartje" (the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When I Die, Will I Get Better? (Hardcover)

This book is really a good way to tell about your feelings when you're five years old. First, I didn't know it was also appeared in an english version or other languages. And when I read this book, I got tears in my eyes because of the rabbits you can imagine how joeri felt when his brother died. It's a real 'catchy' book and very friendly for children and their connection to death. I would recommend this book to other children or older children! Love, Claartje

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For A Little Brother, May 3, 2001

By 

dan hanley (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When I Die, Will I Get Better? (Hardcover)

A wonderful therapy for a five year old and his family. This was a brother's way to deal with the questions and angers which arose after the illness and death of his two year old brother. Being the father of a 4 and a half year old, I could appreciate they way the story was written from the mind of a child. Children are so honest about expressing their thoughts if you take the time to ask questions and listen. The illustrations work well to show the situations (dad drew what his son instructed). This was created as a private story by a father and son to help them deal with the tragedy of their loss, As such it is more like a glimpse into a private diary. It is a wonderful, simple story, which should help raise some questions and start a dialogue between the family.

What a gentle tribute to the memory of a little brother.