Cry, Heart, But Never Break
Cry, Heart, But Never Break
Written by Glenn Ringtved
Illustrated by Charlotte Pardi
Translated from Danish by Robert Moulthrop
Winner of the 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Award
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of 2017
A Choosing Therapy Best Grief Book for Children for 2022
Aware their grandmother is gravely ill, four siblings make a pact to keep death from taking her away. But Death arrives all the same. He comes gently, naturally. And he comes with enough time to share a story with the children that helps them to realize the value of loss to life and the importance of being able to say goodbye.
ISBN: 978-1-59270-187-2
8.5" (W) x 12" (H) • 32 pages • HCJ
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
Winner of the 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Award
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of 2017
A Choosing Therapy Best Grief Book for Children for 2022
"Now comes a fine addition to the most intelligent and imaginative children’s books about making sense of death—the crowning jewel of them all, even." —Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
"Rich and affecting." —Mark Levine, The New York Times
"In this empathic picture book, [...] Pardi creates a cozy, lived-in ambiance in her pencil and watercolor art." —Publishers Weekly
"The removal of any parental buffer in this episode reinforces the salutary suggestion that children are resilient enough to be in death’s presence without fear. [...] Gentle, wistful reading for times of imminent loss." —Kirkus Reviews
“This important book beautifully illustrates the need for opposition, while simultaneously conveying a timeless message: we all face death and must not shy away from these crucial conversations with our children.” —Miranda Rosbach, My Bookbloom
“This book has been acclaimed as simple and profound. Four grandchildren are made aware that Death is coming to pay their grandmother a visit. In an effort to keep Death from taking her away the children offer him copious amounts of coffee, and try to entertain him as they implore him to let her stay. Death shares quite a powerful story with them about the relationship between two brothers, Sorrow and Grief, and the two sisters they fell in love with, Joy and Delight. This story segues into a poignant message about loss and grieving from Death who is both unapologetic, and gently reassuring, that life and love will endure, and our hearts can bear the grief, even if, at times, it feels as if we cannot. While grieving a loss may be an emotionally tumultuous journey, we can continue to grow stronger and learn to live more fully through the process.” —Kristen Souza (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), Choosing Therapy