So I thought I’d read some picture books to set me up for writing my Uni notes... I had picked up this book because of the beautiful bright colours and sweet illustrations on the cover that I wanted to have a try at sketching...

I had not expected this story to take the turn it did!

This beautiful, colourful and imaginative book is all about the relationship between Syd and his grandad, and creating a metaphor for his passing.
Grandad takes Syd exploring a far away island in his attic, where he decides to stay and enjoy himself. It then tells the story of Syd’s difficult journey sailing home by himself, and the empty house he returns to.

The immense and heavy subject of death is handled so honestly and blatantly for children in this book, that it almost become less of a sadness and more of a beautiful fact of life.A fact of existence and the continuation of a beautiful journey for Syd to remember.