The joyous thing about books in translation is that we are offered a fresh perspective from another culture. Not many English picture books deal quite so directly with death, but Wolf Erlbruch has written a clear-eyed and kind book with Death as a central character. Before you leap out and buy this book and read it to your class, I need to be very clear; this book comes with a warning: it is not for everyone and is NOT a classroom read aloud. But instead it is a rather special book for very specific occasions. The story is about Duck who one day realises she is not alone. “Good,” said Death, “you finally noticed me. I am Death.” And so begins a truly compassionate relationship between Duck and Death, as Duck comes to terms with its mortality, and Death patiently looks over Duck as it moves closer to its end. And in the end, which is inevitable, Duck embraces Death as a friend. Death eased Duck into the great river, places the tulip on its chest as it watches Duck float away. I have never read this book without shedding a tear, yet it brings immense comfort. It remains the book I buy most often for friends. So, I urge you to read this book and learn an eternal truth. One day it will be the perfect read for one of your children and their family.