One day Syd stops by his grandfather's home and doesn't find him in his usual places. But then Grandad calls to Syd from the attic, and from there the two open a door onto a big steamer ship. They sail the seas to a remote island inhabited by tons of tropical animals. Grandad decides to stay on the island, and Syd travels back home alone.

This quiet, subtle book works its magic on you slowly. Upon a first read, I wasn't super impressed. But after mulling on it and then returning for a second read a week or so later, I found myself quite enamored with it. Although it might not be super apparent to the youngest readers that Syd's grandfather has died, it could be quite a comforting read for a child dealing with the death of a loved one. If they've been told their loved one has "gone to a better place," this book could help visual that for them. For children who don't quite get the death aspect, this could just be a pleasant read about using one's imagination to visit another place.

The illustrations, done digitally according to the book's inside cover, are lovely. Lots of color and activity great the reader on each page. ( )

Syd and his Grandad set sail for a very special island in this metaphorical exploration of death and grieving for the picture-book set. The tropical paradise they discover serves as a substitute for Grandad's final resting place, and Syd sails back to the 'real' world alone. Missing his grandfather, Syd is comforted by the idea, as represented by the letter from the island that he receives, that his Grandad is in a good place...

From the praise I have seen heaped upon Gradad's Island by other online reviewers, it would seem that the narrative here works very well for most readers, allowing them to explore the idea of death, and of parting from a loved one, in an imaginative and helpful way. While I respect that, and am glad for those who find solace in Benji Davies' story, I have to confess that something about the formulation here just didn't work for me. I could see what the author/artist was trying to accomplish, but somehow I didn't find the narrative as poignant or eloquent as some others. The recent Danish picture-book, Cry Heart, But Never Break, was much more to my taste, when it comes to examinations of death in children's stories. Still, there's nothing really wrong with this one, and it might be helpful for some, as an exploration of these issues. The artwork, moreover, is every bit as colorful and appealing as you would expect from a Davies picture-book. Recommended (with the caveat that it might not really work for everyone) to those looking for picture-books addressing the loss of a grandparent. ( )

The beautiful illustrated book, "Grandads Island", written by, Benji Davies, follows the grieving process a young boy named Syd has for his grandads passing. The book explains grandads passing through a metaphoric journey to his own personal island. The metal door is a metaphor for gates to heaven and the island is heaven. The island is very peacefuln and the most perfect place. Syd's grandad stays on the island. Syd travels back home alone, his journey was hard without his grandparent. Syd's journey back home shifts from bright and colorful to dark and gloomy colors because the travel shows his emotions for the departure of his lost grandparent. At the very end of the book it shows a beautiful picture of his grandad happy on the island, showing Syd he is safe and at peace in heaven. ( )