Cry, Heart, But Never Break

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, four siblings have been lovingly cared for by their grandmother, but one day she receives a visitor: Death. Instead of having "a heart as dead and black as coal", it turns out Death is kindly, with a heart "red as the most beautiful sunset" and filled with a love of life. In an effort to help the children, he tells them a story about Sorrow and Grief, and how these two brothers end up marrying two sisters, Joy and Delight. The couples live and die together, for they cannot be without one another. In the end, Death takes the grandmother, but the children remember his wise and beautiful words, "Cry heart, but never break." They live out their lives with good memories of their grandmother and what she meant to them. I loved this book, and admit I cried like a baby when I read it the first time. Glenn Ringtved (a Danish author, this is the translation of the original book he wrote for his children about 15 years ago) has done a wonderful job crafting a story that deals with such a serious and sensitive topic. There's no shying away from the reality of the grandmother's death, and the sorrow it brings the children. But he also shows beautifully how death is not a monster, but a natural part of life, and how our hearts can bear up under the weight of loss. Charlotte Pardi's illustrations are a perfect match. Highly recommended. PS I just love how the children keep giving Death cups of coffee to distract him :-)

Cry, Heart, but Never Break, by best-selling author, and award winner Glenn Ringtved, is about children dealing with their grandmother's imminent death. When Death comes, he gently explains what death is about, and how to cope with the loss of a loved one. I bought this book for my three nieces, ages 5, 8, and 11. I wanted to help them understand the coming loss of their grandmother, my mother, who had suffered for some time with several conditions exacerbated by a fall. My sister-in-law reported that the girls thoroughly enjoyed the book. They had an opportunity to say goodbye to their own grandmother, and it wasn't the traumatizing event I thought they would encounter. I must say, the book was therapeutic for me as well. I highly recommend this book. It includes a wealth of pictures by best-selling illustrator, Charlotte Pardi. I plan on buying a copy of this book for myself!

First I’d like to address the people who have reviewed this book and it’s imagery as “too scary” or “too sad”.... This book is not for you. For the first few pages I also worried this book was too heavy and dark for my young kids (two 4 year olds and an 8 year old). And maybe if my kids hadn't experienced such profound loss at such a young age I would have put this book away for later years. But their father is recently passed and that’s pretty freaking heavy and dark so our family needs these conversations to be prompted and held. And in this book Death is so kind and loving. He patiently explains the value of life and the value of death without being definitively secular or religious (which is hard to find, believe it or not). Keep tissues handy. I only got 2/3 through the book before the tears came. I’m glad they came, though. I’m trying to teach my children that as uncomfortable as grief can be, it’s necessary to help us process loss in a healthy way. We should not hide from the darkness of death. We should allow it to stir insight and compassion within us. This book helped our family do that. I’d give it 20 stars if I could.

This story is so touching and it created a very lively conversation with my daughter about death. The context is easy enough for my almost 5-year old to grasp and the story invited her to ask many questions that I was happy to provide. The illustration is beautiful and I especially love how they focused on the facial expressions of the characters, both in pictures and text. I find that it really made the emotional connection to the story and helped my daughter understand the different emotions one go through in the face of grief.

If I wrote as much about this book as I'd like to, then my review would contain more words than the book. I bought it on recommendation of a favorite blogger. I lost someone important to me a little over three years ago. It is a book I wish I'd had then when I was in the midst of my grief. That said, I shed some tears when I read it after it arrived, more than three years after my loss. It is a poignant look at dying and grieving. It will be useful for adults as well as children. It is beautifully written -- simple, elegant. It is beautifully illustrated. It is one of the books that I will keep forever and then my children will get it. They will keep it forever as well.

I purchased the book to teach theme in the classroom to 5th graders. The book overall was fantastic - I really appreciated the message. The students were able to relate to this book.

I purchased this book several years ago for myself in the hopes I could read it at some point to my granddaughter. I think the book is beautifully illustrated, but though I have now read it over and over, I think the storyline leaves a lot to be desired. Children do need to understand why people (living creatures) die, and that grief and sorrow are part of the healing process following a death. I'm not convinced this story made the latter clear to younger readers/listeners. Also, on a more practical plane, I can just hear my eight-year-old granddaughter (still haven't read it to her and won't) asking who will take care of the children now, where are their mother and father, etc. and is Death's heart really "as red as the most beautiful sunset and beat(s) with a great love of life"? That's a big concept for young children to fathom. So, that is just my opinion, but I wouldn't recommend this book on those grounds.

This book is very touching in explaining death not only to children but to adults. I really like the art work that went with the book.

This is a beautiful book dealing with a very difficult issue of death and grief. I think it would be most appropriate for a child over 6 years. The illustrations are also great

This book was a lovely way to broach a tough subject with my kids. I have one wild child and one deeply sensitive child, both under 10. Both were engaged with the story, able to understand the book and both asked questions when we were done. I would recommend this book when the kids start to ask about what happens when you die.

El libro lo compre para poder abordar el tema de la muerte con mi peque. Es una historia escrita con una sensibilidad y cuidado extremos. Un libro que gusta mucho releer, y que nos ha ayudado mucho a abordar temas dificiles.

This is a great reading. The authors have so simply and artistically explained an otherwise difficult subject, not just for kids but also for adults to come to terms with many times. The continuity yet full circle nature of life is so easily articulated here. Commendable writing ! For sure a bed side read for one's life

A wonderful go at explaining the necessity of darkness to know the light. For children, adults, mourners — and those who will become mourners one day: thus, for all of us.