The Hole

K-Gr 2–An initially bleak story of a child coping with the death of a younger brother. This loss appears as a physical hole that the nameless protagonist sees where brother Matty used to be. One day, the sibling decides to take a step into the hole. Here, the child grapples with despair and grief. With the help of a friend, the sibling realizes that memories of Matty are able to fill the darkness where the hole once was. Although this is a heavy and distressing topic, Bonilla presents it in a digestible way that will resonate with young readers. The language used in this title presents a new way of discussing and understanding grief. The illustrations pair well with the text, evoking the emotion of losing a loved one. Done with watercolor, colored pencils, and paper collage, the artwork is almost childlike, adding to the appeal. The light source is highlighted on most spreads, which works as a metaphor for the brightness on the other side of a bad situation.