For the child grappling with the difficult concept of a loved one's impending death, this gentle story offers a comforting metaphor for enduring connection.
A parent would reach for this book when preparing a child for the impending death of a loved one from a long-term illness. This gentle story follows a young girl, Zoe, whose favorite uncle is dying of AIDS. He takes her to a planetarium and uses the stars to create a powerful and comforting metaphor for what will happen after he's gone: he will be like a star, 'too far away to touch, but close enough to see.' The book beautifully handles themes of grief, love, and enduring connection in a secular, reassuring way. For children ages 4-8, it provides a safe and poignant language to discuss loss, making an abstract concept feel a little less scary and more about eternal love.
The book deals directly with terminal illness and impending death. The illness is explicitly named as AIDS, which is a direct approach. The explanation of death, however, is handled through a gentle, secular, and poetic metaphor of starlight. The resolution is not about a cure or miracle; it is a realistic acceptance of loss, framed with a hopeful message about the enduring nature of love and connection, offering emotional comfort rather than a change in circumstance.
Ideal Reader
This book is for a child, ages 5 to 8, who knows a loved one is terminally ill. It is particularly suited for a child who is processing anticipatory grief and needs a non-religious framework for understanding where someone 'goes' after they die. It's for the child who is asking questions and the parent who wants to provide a reassuring, gentle answer.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the page where Uncle Leonard calmly states, 'I have AIDS... It's a sickness that can't be cured... I am going to die.' While handled gently, this direct language may be more explicit than a parent is expecting from a picture book. It's best to be prepared for this moment and the questions it might raise. The rest of the book is metaphorical and soft. The trigger is the moment a parent has to explain that a beloved family member or friend is going to die. The child might be asking 'Will I forget them?' or 'Where will they be?' The parent is seeking a resource to help their child feel a continued connection to that person after they are gone.
Age Experience
A younger child (4-5) will connect most with the beautiful illustrations, the loving relationship, and the simple, comforting idea of a loved one becoming a star. They will grasp the emotional core of 'always being there.' An older child (6-8) will better understand the finality of death and may have more concrete questions about the illness. They can appreciate the star metaphor on a deeper, more conceptual level as a way to manage grief.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its specific, powerful, and accessible central metaphor. While many books discuss memories, this one provides a constant, visual touchstone in the night sky. The direct naming of AIDS is also a rare and important feature, acknowledging a specific reality for many families then and now, and opening the door to discuss any specific terminal illness.
Read plot summary
A young girl named Zoe shares a close bond with her Uncle Leonard, who is living with AIDS. Knowing he is dying, he takes Zoe on a special outing to a planetarium. There, he explains that after he dies, he will be like the stars in the night sky. He won't be physically present, but his love and presence can still be felt and seen, creating the central metaphor: 'too far away to touch, but close enough to see.'
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Uncle Leonard says that after he dies, he will be 'too far away to touch, but close enough to see.' What do you think he means by that? How can you 'see' someone who is far away?
2
Zoe and Uncle Leonard tap each other's arm three times to say 'I love you.' Why do you think they have this special secret signal? Do you have special ways to show love to your family?
3
When Zoe looks up at the stars in the planetarium, she feels like she can almost touch them. Why do you think this experience helped her understand her uncle's idea?
4
The book tells us that Uncle Leonard has a sickness called AIDS. Why was it important for him to be honest with Zoe about his illness and that he was going to die?
