Books Like What Happens Next?
Families who loved What Happens Next? by Shinsuke Yoshitake often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved What Happens Next? by Shinsuke Yoshitake often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when a child is asking big, existential questions about what happens when we die, particularly following the loss of a grandparent. It offers a gentle, non-prescriptive way to navigate grief by focusing on the imaginative and even humorous possibilities of the afterlife rather than providing a rigid theological answer. The story follows a young boy who discovers his late grandfather's notebook, which is filled with whimsical plans for 'what happens next' after passing away. Through Yoshitake's signature deadpan humor and cartoon-style illustrations, the book addresses sadness while pivoting quickly toward curiosity and wonder. It is highly appropriate for children aged 5 to 10 because it validates their need for comfort without being overly sentimental or scary. Parents will appreciate the way it turns a heavy, intimidating topic into a shared moment of creative storytelling and lighthearted speculation.
