The Suitcase

by Daniela Sosa

From the author of Friends comes a tender picture book about a boy who gets a new perspective on his grandparents after uncovering an attic of treasures and a suitcase of mysterious photos while staying with them for the summer.

When a boy goes to visit his grandparents in the summer, it isn’t long before he gets bored. Every day is the same, and there’s nothing to do except reading and gardening like his grandparents, which the boy thinks is dull and not fun at all. Then he goes exploring and finds a suitcase in the attic filled with incredible things, including pictures that show a young couple exploring the world, having fun adventures, and dancing and singing. Who could they be?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Mystery, Kids

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

I’m Daniela Sosa, author/illustrator originally from Romania and currently based in Cambridge, UK. I am a graduate of the Children’s Book Illustrations MA course at the Cambridge School of Art.

My main focus is children’s books, but I also enjoy doing other types of illustration work. In my work I like to blend traditional techniques with digital editing. I enjoy working with textures, collage, pencils and limited colour palettes.

When I’m not illustrating, I enjoy nature walks, reading and crafty projects.

Clients include Simon & Schuster, Walker Books, Nosy Crow, Penguin Random House, Stripes Publishing, Cottage Door Press, Albert Whitman, Little Tiger Press.

Reviews

[Caroline]

Expanding from the premise that every kid thinks their parents and grandparents are old and boring, this delightful picture book is a loving family story. While spending the summer with his grandparents who never do anything, something that is clearly contradicted by the illustrations, a young boy goes searching for adventure. He finds an old suitcase filled with the story of a young, lively couple. The boy decides to solve the mystery and find out who these people are -- surprising himself with the answer. Adults will figure out the "twist" very quickly -- because it isn't really a twist. But younger kids may not pick up on what's happening quite as fast. This story connecting young and old will hopefully inspire kids to go out and find their own family stories.

[Jared White]

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't spend more time with my grandparents when I had the chance. We had some really good times when I was little, but as I grew into a tween and teenager I spent more time in their basement watching tv or at a cousin's house than willingly spending time with them. I think a book like this may have helped plant the seed to want to discover more about them. I hope that's the case for some littles who read or are read this book.

Whether your grandparents have traveled the world or have only lived in one small town, I bet they have some experiences that you could relate to! And some that would seem so foreign that it feels like it was a completely different country or world! In both cases, I bet you'll find some of those things interesting and maybe even find out you have more in common than you thought!

[Erin]

Very sweet intergenerational story that is best served by spending time with the artwork. The text doesn't do justice to the idea of this story. The mystery within the story is frustrating because of how oblivious the boy is. Would have preferred the suitcase to arrive in the story much sooner with the mystery developed more clearly. But I loved the artwork and the idea.

[Alex Olson]

I thought this was such a cute book, loved the illustrations they were expressive and would be easy for the kids to follow and connect with. I loved the way it captured the grandparents and the child's curiosity!

[Tracey Kyle]

This is a cute book about a boy who thinks his grandparents are boring until he finds a suitcase with clues to the life they had when they were young. I liked the artwork more than the text. But I read it to my neighbor's 6 and 4 year old and they didn't get it. A bedtime story it is not.

[Daniela Sosa]

5/5 of course! 😆

[Michele Knott]

Sweet multi-generational story.

[Rachel]

Cute story with clues in it that would be fun at bedtime. Grandparents and suitcase full of things about when they were young.

[Sarah BT]

A sweet book about learning that your grandparents were once young too. I love the art.

[Leah]

I really love this book and I think grandparents will love reading it to their littles!

[Marianna Sharktooth]

Μια συγκινητική ιστορία, για την ιστορία μας, που βάζει την οπτική στα παιδιά για το παρελθόν, το παρόν και το μέλλον της οικογένειάς τους.

[David W. Cofer]

Stupid book with a predictable ending.

[Beverlyann Brown]

This felt really touching. It made me think about how important it is to welcome others and help them feel safe.

[Heidi Ostergaard]

I really loved this book. Finding old pictures of grandparents only to realize they lived full fun lives. It was a sweet multigenerational story

[Ripley McNab]

This is a cute book that allows students to fully immerse into an adventure story. I also loved how it shows students how their grandparents had lived a whole life. It would be great to create an assignment or project based on students family tree and history!

[Sophie Wolfe]

Cute book i liked the illustrations and was a fun story that i think will keep kids entertained.