I Built a Rocket Ship

A grieving child builds a rocket ship as a way to process feelings. For fans of Oliver Jeffers’s The Heart and the Bottle.

A young child addresses a loved one who is no longer there, while narrating the process of building a rocket ship in the backyard. Dad is nearby, as the child explains their progress and decisions about what to pack as they build. Musing that something is still missing, the child remembers past building projects, stargazing and a warm and loving relationship with the person they’ve lost. Now, this person feels as far away as the stars - which is where the rocket is aimed.

Anna Lazowski’s powerful and profound story is an emotionally sensitive, child-centered exploration of death and grief. Beautifully told in an understated but immediate narrative voice, and with a soothing refrain of “I built a rocket ship out in the backyard,” it’s ultimately a comforting story for children about finding their own way to honor someone they’ve lost. It also serves as a reminder to adults that children grieve in unexpected ways. Who has died is left open to interpretation, making the book relatable to different readers and situations. Jennica Lounsbury’s soft-focus illustrations in muted pastels keep the mood gentle and tender. This picture book has excellent connections to social-emotional learning. It’s sure to touch the heart of anyone who’s ever lost a loved one, even as it celebrates the memories they hold dear.