The Elsewhere Express

A parent would reach for this book when their child is experiencing a deep, perhaps unexpressed sense of grief or longing for a loved one who has passed away. It is an ideal bridge for the child who feels stuck in their sadness and needs a metaphorical framework to understand that memory is a bridge, not a barrier, to those we have lost. The story follows Adelaide, a young girl who boards a magical train for those who have lost someone and cannot let go. Through its fantastical setting, the book explores the heavy reality of grief with a light, wondrous touch. It is perfectly calibrated for the middle grade reader (ages 8 to 12), offering a safe, imaginative space to process the 'where' and 'why' of death without being overly clinical or frightening. Parents will appreciate how it validates the difficulty of saying goodbye while ultimately championing the beauty of carrying on.