The Day Death Died

by Tanya Landman, illustrated by Cynthia Álvarez

Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 6+

Published by Barrington Stoke, 2025

  • Fantasy
  • Short stories
  • Dyslexia

About this book

Jack and his mum live happily in a house by the sea. Then Jack’s mum falls ill. She gets worse and worse until at last Death comes to take her away. But Jack refuses to let her go. He confronts Death and traps it in a jar. With Death now locked away, Jack’s mum recovers. But as Jack explores this new world, he begins to realise that a life without death is no life at all.

The themes of this thought-provoking book are suitable for readers of 11+ but it has an accessible dyslexia-friendly format and a much younger reading age of around 6. It is illustrated throughout to further engage readers and support comprehension. 

Jack’s story introduces an interesting philosophical dilemma and would definitely stimulate conversations and wider reading activities based on its themes. The cover is well-designed and would appeal to readers in Key Stage 2 or 3 who require books with a younger reading age.

About the author

Tanya studied English Literature at university, and then worked in a bookshop running the children’s section, an arts centre and a zoo. Since 1992 she has been a writer of books for all ages – including adventures, retellings of Greek myths, detective stories, graphic novels, and historical fiction set in Britain and North and South America. Buffalo Soldier, published by Walker Books, won the Carnegie Medal in 2015. She lives in north Devon with her two sons, Isaac and Jack, Edgar – a ferocious Siamese cat, and two eternally optimistic Labradors, Hobson and Sally.

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