Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death – Hardcover by Caitlin Doughty (Illustrated by Dianné Ruz)

Why We Shelved It:

A brilliantly witty, tenderly candid, and reassuringly morbid exploration of human mortality written specifically for the morbidly curious of all ages. Mortician and bestselling author Caitlin Doughty answers real, unfiltered questions from children about what actually happens to our bodies when we die. Shelved proudly at the dark, curious intersection of our Fiction & Dark Lore and Lifestyle & Botanical Wellness collections right alongside Mary Roach’s Stiff and Amy Stewart’s Wicked Plants, this hardcover edition is an absolute treasure for open-minded seekers, parents, and lovers of macabre science.

The Work:

Adults often stumble over themselves trying to shield children from the realities of death, offering clumsy euphemisms about "sleeping" or "going to a better place." But kids don't want fairy tales—they want facts. In Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?, licensed mortician Caitlin Doughty tackles the most bizarre, gruesome, and fascinating questions posed by her young fans with humor, scientific accuracy, and profound respect.

Inside this beautifully illustrated hardcover volume, readers will explore:

• Feline Forensics: The definitive answer to whether your beloved pet cat will actually snack on your remains if you pass away alone.

• Cremation & Decomposition Queries: What happens during cremation, how bodies decompose underground, and what occurs inside modern funeral homes.

• Historical & Mythical Fates: Exploring ancient burial customs, what happens to swallowed teeth, and whether you can be buried with your favorite video games.

• Embracing Mortality: Destigmatizing the end of life by treating human biology with openness, warmth, and intellectual rigor.

Equal parts hilarious, deeply educational, and wonderfully comforting, Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? transforms society's greatest taboo into an enlightening celebration of life and science.