ALA Booklist (Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 1998)

Originally published in 1973, this autobiographical picture book was one of the first to introduce very young children to the concept of death. Given its graceful treatment of a difficult subject, it has been a parental staple ever since, and a new generations of readers will be glad to discover this timeless tale in a lovely new edition. In an appended note, dePaola says he approached this project as a completely new book. Thus, the format is larger than formerly, the pictures have been re-done in full color, and even the text has been slightly modified, though the story remains the same: every Sunday four-year-old Tommy's family goes to visit his grandparents. His grandmother is always busy downstairs, but his great-grandmother is always to be found in bed upstairs, because she is 94 years old. Tommy loves both of his nanas and the time he spends with them. He is desolate when his upstairs nana dies, but his mother comforts him by explaining that she will come back in your memory whenever you think about her. Although dePaola's book is a nostalgic tribute to his own family, its theme--that not only people but our love for them survives in our memories--is universally true and important. (Reviewed February 15, 1998)

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 1998)

This edition of dePaola's story about his special friendship with his great-grandmother and grandmother and the death of his great-grandmother is illustrated with new, full-color paintings. The illustrations are vintage dePaola, and the warm palette conveys the boy's love for his elderly relatives.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Full-color pictures, newly created by the author 15 years after the book's original publication, add to this spirited true story based on dePaola's childhood memories of his grandmothers. Fans of his Newbery Honor book 26 Fairmount Avenue will recognize these winning matriarchs. Ages 3-7. (May)