Drop Dead

by Babette Cole

A rather eccentric Gran and Grandad retell their dangerous life stories and speculate about what may become of them after they drop down dead.

Genres: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Death, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Babette Cole was a British children's author and illustrator. Born on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands in 1949, she attended the Canterbury College of Art (now the University for the Creative Arts) and received first-class BA Honors. She worked on such children's programmes as Bagpuss (working with Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin) and Jackanory for BBC television.

As a children's writer, Cole created more than 150 picture books. Her best-seller Doctor Dog has been adapted as a successful children's cartoon series. Much of her work is earthy comedy, having titles like The Smelly Book, The Hairy Book, The Slimy Book and The Silly Book.

She spent her time writing, visiting schools and traveling. After a short illness she died on 15 January 2017, aged 66.

Reviews

[Lizzie]

A strangely blunt and humorous offering from the brilliant Babette Cole. This book explores the cycle of life in its own weird and whacky way - through the eyes of the elderly! A friendly introduction to the idea of death for children, although i’m not sure how comforting the thought that we could all come back as scrawny chickens is! Perhaps another message could be taken from this book, that every day should be lived to its full. Possibilities are endless!

[Dolly]

Odd, but fun take on reincarnation. Not sure it's all that appropriate for younger children, but older kids will likely think it's a hot. I sure did.

[Nancy]

Laughed out loud when I read this! On the other hand, I don't think I would read it to a class of children. It would raise way too many uncomfortable questions:)

[Jenna]

Kuinka isovanhemmista tuli sellaisia kuin he nyt ovat? Sitä varmasti miettii jokainen joskus ja haluaa kuulla tarinoita isovanhemmistaan ja vanhemmistaan ajalta ennen omaa olemassa oloa. Tässä eräs versio Babette Colen tyyliin.

[Liz Todd]

I wish I had a shelf for ODD books.

Kind of disturbing.. kind of just truth.

Not everything in there seems approp these days to share with a class of kids..

[Peacegal]

This one is weird! Kids often appreciate a blunter approach to things, and it is certainly blunt, as well as just plain odd in its explanation of the human life cycle.

[Bloom]

hahahhaahahah que bèstia que és!!! Segueix una mica amb el to de Una nena mal educada, amb imatges si més no extravagants, personatges excèntrics i un humor un xic brut. Que a mi m'agrada força

[Hannah Klein]

Really great illustrations, delightfully irreverent. Would be four stars but it does have a dated reference to trying smoking as a coming of age metaphor.

[Bree]

Silly take on a serious subject. The circle of life. What is it like to live and then die. It's a cute and funny book about growing up. Kids will love the silly pictures and adults will love the funny lines that kids won't understand until there older. The ending had me laughing out loud.

[Dee-Ann]

This book was funny, but at one stage I was wondering what the rating was ... if it was appropriate for children.

[Rachel]

I feel like I didn't quite get what the message was. Something was missing

[Brindi Michele]

This is definitely not a picture book for young children....at least that is my view on it. But the tale of the grandparetns' lives from baby wrinkles to old wrinkles is humourous.

[Erin Mcneil]

This book was okay. It was funny for an adult to read, but I wouldn't necessarily read it to a younger student.

[Beverly]

1996 Kurt Maschler Award
Kind of a weird, quirky look at a couple from babyhood, childhood, and adulthood, until they die. Includes Cole's typical quirky cartoon character illustrations.