kids encyclopedia robot

Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs (dePaola book) cover.jpg
Author Tomie dePaola
Country United States
Language English
Genre Children's
Publisher Putnam Juvenile (1997 Hardback edition)
Publication date
1973
Media type Print (Hardback)
Pages 32 p
ISBN 0399231080
OCLC 35145847
[E] 20
LC Class PZ7.D439 Nan 1997

Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs is a 1973 non-fiction children's book by Tomie dePaola which introduces children to the concept of death.

Content

This autobiographical story introduces children to the concept of death through the eyes of 4-year-old Tommy, who has a special relationship with his grandmother and great-grandmother, and visits them regularly. Nana Upstairs dies when he's a child, and Nana Downstairs dies when he's an adult; at both ages, Tommy learns to keep his beloved Nanas in his memory.

The original edition of this autobiographical story was published in 1973; a second edition, published in 1998, has new illustrations and layout.

Legacy

This book has been cited in over 30 other works, including books on how to write, books on childhood grief, and books on other topics.