My sweet friend, Tanya Arnold of Biblioguides, knows that I am always interested in reviewing middle-grade “boy books,” published during the 1950s – 1980s. Diane, Tanya, and I are all convinced that something special was happening in that time period of children’s publishing, and we like to read as many of those books as we can. And so, when Tanya comes across some of those books in her own hunting, she often sends them my way. The Christopher books by Donald and Carol Carrick are one such set of books that came to me because of Tanya. And once I found those, I had to go looking for more. 

A husband and wife author-illustrator team, Donald and Carol Carrick were married in 1965 and their first book, “The Old Barn,” was published in 1966. Their sons, Christopher and Paul, were the inspiration for many of their books, and all that I have read have the kind of charm that comes from being based on something lovely and true. 

In 1989, Donald Carrick at age 60, died of a short illness. The next year Carol published Upside-Down Cake, her first book after the death of her husband.  I cannot help but wonder how much Donald’s death inspired this hard but sweet and powerful story. 

Upside-Down Cake opens with this heart-wrenching letter. It is very clear from the start that this book is going to be about something deeply painful. And it is. But it is also about love and hope. This book is about grief – the before, the during, and the what-comes-next. It is told in the voice of a ten-year-old who is remembering the tragic events of the last year that led up to the death of his father. 

After that letter, the story opens with a father and son digging into a shared birthday cake. They are laughing and breaking all of the rules because their birthdays are one day apart and they are celebrating together. 

A few days later, however, things begin to change. Dad becomes tired, cranky, and sickly. After doctor’s visits and tests, the family discovers that Dad has cancer and that there isn’t much they will be able to do. 

We follow along as Dad becomes too ill to work, too weak to climb the stairs, and too tired to stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time. And then, we grieve with the family on the morning that mom wakes everyone up to say their goodbyes to Dad, who has died in the early hours. The story moves through these events gently and with much tenderness.

After the funeral, things move into the new normal. And the family leans on each other as they navigate the challenges of life without Dad – emotionally and physically. But, like the rest of the story, it moves gracefully and with much care. 

Finally, it is time for another birthday cake. One that won’t be shared with Dad. And, in a way that only makes sense to those who have grieved deeply, it turns out okay. 

This story is a hard read, but there is nothing in it to avoid. It is so clearly told by a master storyteller who understands her subjects – loss and family life. I think this story would be an excellent read for all children – either to help them to understand this difficult idea or to help them through their own loss. I think Mr. Rogers would have loved this book and recommended it. 

I miss Donald Carrick’s illustrations, but the simple illustrations in this book fit the story well and add to the reader’s experience.

Out of print and hard to find, this book is available to be read for free on Internet Archive!