Inspiring Young Readers

posted on 07 Apr 2026

Where Are You, Eddie? By Michael Rosen, illustrated by Gill Smith

We have written many times about the contribution that Michael Rosen has made, and continues to make, to the world of literature for children and adults. We were lucky to hear him speak about this latest book at The Festival of Ideas in Malvern in March. In recent years he has (mostly) recovered from a traumatic near- death experience which he has written and spoken about extensively in terms of how it has shaped his subsequent view of the world. However, he explained that his grief at the untimely death of his eighteen- year- old son in 1999 from meningitis was still the most devastating event in his life. He wanted to explore how and why his feelings had become less raw but still as intense in the intervening years. His earlier way of expressing how this terrible experience had profoundly changed him resulted in The Sad Book, illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Now he wanted to tell a story about how Eddie was still everywhere because of all the memories where he lived in his and other people’s minds. So, this time he imagines a philosophical conversation with his cat, Meg about it, because Eddie loved cats. In the afterword, he suggests that this way of telling a difficult story may be helpful to others who may be finding the loss of a loved one very hard.

When interviewed at the festival, he explained that he was inspired to write the story when he met an old schoolfriend of Eddie’s who revealed that he and others still told what they referred to as ‘Eddie’ jokes – his dad had been unaware of how his son was remembered by this group of people. He then became fascinated to explore how he continued to be remembered by other people and in other places. The cover of the book shows Michael looking fondly at old photos with Meg who is staring at a framed photo showing a much younger Eddie with his dad. The story begins with a double page spread showing him in the middle of the kitchen talking to the cat who is walking towards him across a big empty space. Gill Smith, the illustrator, has managed to capture Michael’s distinctive stance and profile and to immediately communicate a mixture of puzzlement and sorrow. The wise cat gives him some excellent advice:

‘If you look for him, you’ll find him. Not the way he was, but he’ll be there’

And then we join him as he takes a walk and remembers how Eddie used to sit next to him on the bus when he was little, then laughing together sharing chips as they walk home from watching an Arsenal match. He goes on to meet others who have fond memories: an old classmate and his hockey coach who remembers how ‘He filled the goal’. Then onto gather some happy family memories from his brothers and sisters including his memorable trick with the cat food where he pretended to eat it!  He comes across as such a likeable and mischievous boy whose big character can never disappear. Michael and Meg finish by sitting cosily together on a kitchen chair as he realises:

‘It is still you, Eddie

You’re here.’ 

I strongly recommend this beautifully illustrated book to readers of all ages as a way of exploring memories of people who have died and how reflecting on these can be very helpful. Even young children will understand how confiding in a pet or something else like a toy, can be a way of sharing difficult emotions. Now published by Walker Books, it should be available from your local independent bookshop who will order a copy for you if not already on their shelves.   

Karen Argent

April 2026