★ “A deeply felt story about siblings returning to a cherished place…in loosely painted, expressive gouache, crayon, and colored pencil. Foregrounding the hard work of moving forward, this story about loss offers a vision of a place where “we are all together.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “A heartrending journey through grief and bravery unfolds in this beautifully illustrated story. With lyrical descriptive language and breathtaking illustrations, this book tenderly explores themes of loss, bravery, and family.”

—School Library Journal, starred review

★ “Kang’s debut picture book is a quiet portrait of the ways in which grief takes us by surprise, and its glorious final celebratory splash offers a radiant reminder of how joy and connection can exist alongside sadness.”

—The Horn Book, starred review

“A heartfelt story of overcoming grief. Mixing gouache with the texture from crayons and colored pencils, Kang paints the sky a soft yellow with foliage in deep blues and greens. Combining these elements with the unlined art adds a softness to the delicate subject matter.  A valuable addition for even the most robust collections.”

—Booklist

“A sensitive look at the delicate process of navigating loss. The gouache, crayon, and colored pencil illustrations convey a sense of calm and comfort while also acknowledging the anxiety of the unknown.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Lyrical… The text has a contemplative quality to it, never taking up more than three short lines at a time and allowing the viewer space to process every word… Vibrant eye-catching colors splash across every page.”

—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Gorgeous gouache paintings in deep, calming blues and teals are offset by a sunny yellow that saturates the sky, especially in the narrator’s memories of his father, while polished writing imparts the tender emotions of the day with understated elegance.”

—Cooperative Children’s Book Center
2026 Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner