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Annabelle & Aiden: What Happens When We Die?
"Finally! A secular, evidence-based guide to grieving - and celebration of life - just for kids!"
-Homeschooler Mom
After seeing a bird die, Annabelle asks, "What happens when we die?" Aiden dreams of an afterlife with marshmallow shoes and chocolate kangaroos. But with the help of their dear friends like the Skeptisaurus and Tardigrade Tom, the children discover what we do know, and how worth celebrating it is. How our atoms rejoin the universe, which remains forever changed by our lives. How our energy lasts forever, along with the stories of our loved ones we keep alive by honoring their memories. And most of all, how mortality can inspire us to appreciate the incredible opportunity we've been to live the best, most meaningful lives we can, surrounded by the people we love.
-Homeschooler Mom
After seeing a bird die, Annabelle asks, "What happens when we die?" Aiden dreams of an afterlife with marshmallow shoes and chocolate kangaroos. But with the help of their dear friends like the Skeptisaurus and Tardigrade Tom, the children discover what we do know, and how worth celebrating it is. How our atoms rejoin the universe, which remains forever changed by our lives. How our energy lasts forever, along with the stories of our loved ones we keep alive by honoring their memories. And most of all, how mortality can inspire us to appreciate the incredible opportunity we've been to live the best, most meaningful lives we can, surrounded by the people we love.
30 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2018
About the author
Joseph Raphael Becker
9 books32 followersJ. R. holds a B.A. in Philosophy and a Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law. When he's not practicing entertainment law, playing drums, or enjoying the great outdoors, Joseph enjoys all the science and philosophy books and podcasts he can, pondering the bigger questions and dreaming up ideas for future children stories.
After publishing his first (philosophical, dystopian) novel The Spider & the Ant, and later becoming a father, Joseph was inspired to found the Annabelle & Aiden series to foster curiosity and scientific awareness in the next generation. Joseph lives in New Jersey with his wife Leah, and two children, Annabelle & Aiden.
After publishing his first (philosophical, dystopian) novel The Spider & the Ant, and later becoming a father, Joseph was inspired to found the Annabelle & Aiden series to foster curiosity and scientific awareness in the next generation. Joseph lives in New Jersey with his wife Leah, and two children, Annabelle & Aiden.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 10, 2019
I have no words. I want to talk about how much I enjoyed the fact that this book made sure to be equal parts imagination and science. What happens to our souls and what happens to our bodies. These are clearly children's books and they never talk down to the reader, it just makes everything sound so smart and dreamy. Death isn't dreamy but this book would probably make it an easier concept for a kid to swallow.
August 25, 2018
This Dr Seuss meets Tuck Everlasting meets Neil Degrass Tyson. The ideas were mostly over my kids' heads but it was an honest answer which I liked.
August 4, 2018
Children often experience death—of a beloved pet, or grandparents, or of a younger close relative or friend. Or even insects they've swatted. But we adults have a hard time explaining death to them.
The Annabelle & Aiden series of deep books about science first delves into the children's imagination, when they watch a bird hit a window and die. But then it brings them back to earth with a scientific explanation they can understand.
The books are all beautifully illustrated, and the content of the text is well thought out and perfect for young children.
But it is written in a rather helpless verse with varying rhythms.
But then children love making rhymes, so for a child (but probably not the adult reading it) it may be quite fitting to the story and illustrations.
This definitely a book to be read to (or at least, with) the child, as the beginning of a longer conversation.
There is no religion here. A parent may want to add the views of the family's faith if they need to fit this in with what the child has already heard.
But the account is quite satisfying as is if you don't.
The Annabelle & Aiden series of deep books about science first delves into the children's imagination, when they watch a bird hit a window and die. But then it brings them back to earth with a scientific explanation they can understand.
The books are all beautifully illustrated, and the content of the text is well thought out and perfect for young children.
But it is written in a rather helpless verse with varying rhythms.
But then children love making rhymes, so for a child (but probably not the adult reading it) it may be quite fitting to the story and illustrations.
This definitely a book to be read to (or at least, with) the child, as the beginning of a longer conversation.
There is no religion here. A parent may want to add the views of the family's faith if they need to fit this in with what the child has already heard.
But the account is quite satisfying as is if you don't.
June 6, 2019
Good message, well presented, but a bit hard to read on a Kindle. I also have a hard copy and it could be easier to read there as well, especially some of the lighter, type face erata....but very artistic! (-and I can't zoom in and out of the hard copy! Oh, for some younger eyes!) Because of the detail in the drawings, I would recommend a hard copy or viewing the Kindle edition on a 10" or larger screen. Difficult concepts are presented in an entertaining and non-threatening way. Love the artwork and continuing characters. I look forward to the next Annabelle & Aiden adventure. 4.5 stars.
October 21, 2020
A Book About Death for Children Being Raised as Non-Religious
I like the approach of this book on th subject of death and what happens to "us" when we die. The facts of life and death are laid out in a truthful, yet comforting, manner; which, I think, might be understandable to children as young as five years old and will certainly be grasped by those who are ten years old and older.
I recommend this book to all children, and adults for that matter, who may be dealing with the concept of their own mortality or the recent death of a friend or family member.
I like the approach of this book on th subject of death and what happens to "us" when we die. The facts of life and death are laid out in a truthful, yet comforting, manner; which, I think, might be understandable to children as young as five years old and will certainly be grasped by those who are ten years old and older.
I recommend this book to all children, and adults for that matter, who may be dealing with the concept of their own mortality or the recent death of a friend or family member.
September 14, 2025
Excellent book to explain death
I really enjoyed this book. I want it read at my funeral when I die. I don’t believe in any gods or an afterlife so this book would be appropriate since it is from a secular perspective. I love all of this author’s books. I have them all and am waiting for his latest book, It’s got to be magic.
I really enjoyed this book. I want it read at my funeral when I die. I don’t believe in any gods or an afterlife so this book would be appropriate since it is from a secular perspective. I love all of this author’s books. I have them all and am waiting for his latest book, It’s got to be magic.
May 10, 2019
Helpful
When a father of one of our child’s classmates passed suddenly and unexpectedly this book was helpful to help us discuss the death with our daughter who was very upset by the news.
When a father of one of our child’s classmates passed suddenly and unexpectedly this book was helpful to help us discuss the death with our daughter who was very upset by the news.
July 17, 2019
Beautiful Account
What a wonderful account of what happens when we die. We just turn into something different - and they back it up with scientific facts where needed. Brilliant book! Loved it.
What a wonderful account of what happens when we die. We just turn into something different - and they back it up with scientific facts where needed. Brilliant book! Loved it.
January 16, 2024
Excellent for Children
Well thought out story and relatable. Very much tapping into philosophical epicureanism and modern physics. A good book to start the conversation with children about death.
Well thought out story and relatable. Very much tapping into philosophical epicureanism and modern physics. A good book to start the conversation with children about death.
October 4, 2024
Usually I shelve children’s books in a shelf I made specifically for my son’s books, but this series is different. I love this book so much and I think it’s a really well done explainer on death that is a beautiful reminder for adults too.
August 7, 2018
The laws of thermodynamics combined with poetry, art and the human desire for continuity to explain our relationship with death. Brilliant!
August 25, 2018
Beautiful Book
June 18, 2019
This would be the only book I would recommend to parents who's child is suffering from lost or just curious about death.
July 31, 2019
Beautiful and easy to understand
This book is beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written. It’s perfect for young inquiring minds!! It is both enlightening and comforting.
This book is beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written. It’s perfect for young inquiring minds!! It is both enlightening and comforting.
October 4, 2019
Beautiful. Just beautiful
Death is a difficult subject to talk about but this story nailed it. What a beautiful and moving experience of words to help ease kids on this topic.
Death is a difficult subject to talk about but this story nailed it. What a beautiful and moving experience of words to help ease kids on this topic.
December 27, 2019
Good acknowledgement of death
Good read and nice rhyming. I love the acknowledgement that things will change and that’s ok. That’s a god lesson as we live life too.
Good read and nice rhyming. I love the acknowledgement that things will change and that’s ok. That’s a god lesson as we live life too.
October 16, 2020
Beautiful quick read
January 10, 2022
I didn’t really like the graphics in this one. It wasn’t as exciting as most books I read.
December 4, 2022
A book where science and spirituality meet halfway to help kids understand death. Bold, vivid, chaotic illustrations!
January 6, 2026
non-secular way to explain death
It was pretty great to read this book. This will work out so well for families who don’t necessarily want to explain things in a God way.
It was pretty great to read this book. This will work out so well for families who don’t necessarily want to explain things in a God way.
November 11, 2020
Excellent
I wish I’d had a book like this when I was a child. This thoughtful story helps kids understand and accept death as a natural part of life and show why it’s not something to fear.
I wish I’d had a book like this when I was a child. This thoughtful story helps kids understand and accept death as a natural part of life and show why it’s not something to fear.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews