Anyone who has ever lost a loved one knows the pain that
comes with separation. The death of a friend or family member is difficult for
adults to understand. For children, it can be a painful and bewildering
experience.
Cry, Heart, But Never
Break, a picture book written by Glenn Ringtved and illustrated by
Charlotte Pardi, attempts to explain death in a way that children will
understand. The book tells the story of four children--Nels, Sonia, Kasper, and
Leah--who realize their grandmother is dying when Death--the familiar black-cloaked,
scythe-carrying figure--arrives for a visit. The children recognize him
immediately and make a plan to thwart his agenda. Death’s compassionate
response ultimately helps the children let go of their grandmother while
holding on to the joy that she brought to their lives.
I love how the illustrations juxtapose life and death. The
children are drawn in bright red and yellow and blue, while death is somber in
black and gray. The story communicates the children’s fear, confusion, and
grief in a gentle way. It affirms these emotions for kids who might be
experiencing them for the first time.
Cry, Heart, But Never
Break can help families with young children not only say goodbye to a loved
one, but also process the feelings that can seem overwhelming in such a
situation.
