A cute little story about friendship and love that expands past death. It was odd that this girl just randomly was staring at this old man and he didn't question why but I digress it was a cute story.

Thank you NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for the opportunity to read "The old Man Eating Alone" in exchange for my honest review.

This is a beautiful story about the friendship forged by a little girl and an old man because she was worried about him eating alone all the time. This book is perfect for children ages 5 and up to teach that friendship and love survives even after someone dies.

Emily walks past a café every morning on her way to school and she always sees an old man eating alone. Some days she is even late for school because she watches him for so long. She notes the faraway look in his eyes and that he's never looking at his phone or reading a newspaper like other people in the café are. She feels so sad that he is alone. One day when he's not at the café she worries that something happened to him. The next day she speaks to him for the first time after she rushes into the café to ask him where he'd been yesterday because she thought he'd died. Mr. Wilson tells her that it was his anniversary and his late wife had loved the beach. Emily is sad for the old man that he is alone at the café and he was alone at the beach. Mr. Wilson tells her that he is not alone because in his thoughts he is with his wife and they are in Paris or they are mud bathing in the rain. She realizes that he eats slowly so that he can spend more time with her in his thoughts. After that first conversation Emily stops into the café every morning to hear more stories about the old man, his wife and all the adventures that they had.

One day he isn't there, nor the following days. When she asks the café owner about Mr. Wilson he tells her that he passed away but he left her an envelope and a note to tell her that he is always with her even though they are no longer together.

An absolutely wonderful story to teach children about someone they care for passing and how they can still have them in there lives if they don't forget them.

an impossibly heartwarming yet melancholic tale! this is a story about a young girl named emily, who, on her way to school every morning, always noticed a lone old man, dining at a cafe. day by day, morning after morning, she'd always see the old man in his solitude. one day, however, she finally interacts with him, getting to know of his reason for his seclusion. what follows is a trip down memory lane, wrapped in the form of a most lovely and sweet story.

the illustrations absolutely stole the show for me; bright and beautiful, they were a delightful surprise! the dialogue was wonderful as well. the way the story ended on a wistful note as opposed to how most children's stories end on a happy note was amazing. absolutely adored it!

Thank you to Clavis Publishing, for the chance to read and review this book prior to release.

The cover is absolutely adorable and what originally caught my eye! Every page boasts beautiful artwork that would definitely engage children.

The story was sweet and heartwarming, if not a little sad.

Overall, I think a great addition to your child's bookshelf!

This is a charming little story about a beautiful friendship between a girl named Emily and an old man she sees eating alone in a cafe.
Thank you to Howard Pearlstein, NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for the arc of this book.

😕Impossible to read: print microscopic!

The artwork looked good but I could barely read a sentence of this teeny, tiny text on my e-reader before giving up. So I cannot comment on the book's message. However, having read reviews by others who somehow, maybe on a computer screen, were able to read the text, I would agree that having children meet strangers on their own is not a great idea. Therefore, this book should be read with an adult who can guide the child on the stranger-danger issue and discuss the child's concerns about loneliness and helping a stranger.

In general, I believe children's books should set a better balance between the prominence of the artwork and text. This one gives high visibility to one while de-emphasizing the other too much.

Emily sees a man eating alone at a cafe every day. One day, she stops in to chat with him and forms a beautiful friendship with a bittersweet ending.

The Old Man Eating Alone teaches a lesson for all ages. This is what makes the book stand out. Losing a loved one is hard at any age, but this book shares a way to help cope with the loss. While it does not bring the person back, love is everlasting. Gorgeous illustrations by Hilde Groven make the book stand out against others. They are gentle, sweet illustrations that perfectly match the theme of the story.

A difficult storyline to teach to children, but the author did it in such a delicate manner that it ended up being a positive book. I love that it teaches children to make memories that will carry them even when their love one isn't around anymore.

This was a very beautiful, touching story. It reminds me of a children’s version of A Man Called Ove.

The illustrations were beautiful and I love the butterflies through the scenes as a call back to Emily’s comparison. (Also not sure if I’m reading too much into it but the fact there was one butterfly in the beginning but then two in the end was a lovely touch).

Just a precious little story about love and loss and the power of memories.

Thank you to Clavis Publishing and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

What a sweet little book. I loved the illustrations in this book, and thought the story was great. I loved the message of the book, that even though people pass on, they never truly leave us.

This book is definitely one that will be recommending .

What a great moral value for a child's book. It contains an emotional story that I might cry. The story showed us that even though your loved one has already gone, love and memories will always remain with you forever. Not only has a touching storyline, but it also has a gorgeous illustration.

A beautiful and emotional book about the invaluability of memories and how the ones we love never truly leave us. The artwork and illustrations are gorgeous, though I think the text could stand out more e.g. bigger and bolder. This was an unexpectedly poignant read that hit me right in the feels. Cherish the time you have with your loved ones ❤️

I appreciated the message in "The Old Man Eating Alone" of being curious about others rather than judgmental, and of learning their stories and thus, finding compassion for who they are. I would share this books with adults as well, as the message is a timeless one, and I love the intergenerational connection between the older man and little girl. However, I had a nagging feeling that the scenario was one I would not want my own child to be in -- that of being alone, and approaching and/or connecting with a stranger, no matter how kind they seemed to be. I would share the book with a child but also include that concern. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A story about the curiosity a girl has when she sees an older man eating alone every morning. This book has a good message about when someone dies, they are still with you in spirit and memories. I think the book ended well as it tied this idea together when the older man ends up dying and the girl can see that he is still with her.
The illustrations did not make this book a warm and fuzzy book- In my opinion the pictures were a little creepy for this book.

I love how this book shows little children no matter if someone dies they will never be forgotten or alone. They will always be with you In spirit. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher.

The Old Man Eating Alone by Howard Pearlstein is a wonderful story of intergenerational friendship, and a lesson in compassion. Each morning, young Emily sees an older man eating alone in a cafe, and she worries that he is lonely. But as her new friend opens up to her about his fondest memories, she soon realizes that when we hold our loved ones in our hearts, we will never truly be alone. Recommended for readers 5 years and up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for an ARC.

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

The message was unique for a kid's book. It showed the reader that being by yourself doesn't mean you are lonely. It is good to show kids not everyone has to be extroverted to get by. The illustrations were good. If the book was longer, it would have been more emotional.

Emily (the little girl) seemed to be wandering around alone and talking to people she didn't know. Which isn't good for kids to think is okay. Not everyone is safe. Even if they are an old man. All-in-all, an alright book but not perfect.

I am not sure what to think of this book. On one hand, it has gorgeous illustrations and a great meaning behind it. On the other hand, I did not enjoy the dialogue and the other side of the "care for others" message.

First, I did not enjoy Emily (or, most likely, her parents who have said this and she just repeated it) saying how old people aren't all in their heads meaning they are somehow mentally not okay and that it's somehow negative. Older people might get various diseases that cause them to lose memory, and act differently. But it doesn't mean they are weird or crazy. It means they need more support and understanding than ever, being in such a vulnerable state of mind.

Second, I do not think we should be encouraging young children, UNSUPERVISED, to talk to strangers. It is very dangerous and despite how nice someone looks, you cannot be 100% sure they don't have ill intent. If Emily was supervised by a parent, I wouldn't have an issue with it but seeing as this book shows little Emily all alone - I had to mean it. I get the message but please, do not let your kiddos talk to strangers alone.

Thank you Netgalley and Clavis Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.