Cry, Heart, But Never Break

When Death comes calling, four young children, determined to prevent him from taking the beloved grandmother who had raised them, attempt to stall him, first with coffee and then with questions. Death, who is full of love and understanding, tells them the story of the brothers Sorrow and Grief, and their long and loving unions with the sisters Joy and Delight. The message, about the balance between seeming opposites - joy and sorrow, light and dark, life and death - is one the children find convincing, even if they don't fully understand it. It is Death who says, as the children's grandmother lies dead, "Cry Heart, but never break. Let your tears of sadness help begin new life."

Originally published in Denmark as Græd blot hjerte, this show more poignant but understated picture-book about death and grieving emphasizes the fact that loss and sadness are inextricably bound to life and joy, and give meaning to all that we cherish by providing a painful but necessary contrast. Chosen as the 2017 winner of the Mildred L. Batchelder Award - given each year by the Association for Library Service to Children (a division of the American Library Association) to the best book translated from a language other than English - Cry, Heart, But Never Break is a book that never condescends to its young audience, handling the concerns and grief of its child characters with sensitivity. As the chair of the Batchelder Award Committee noted, this is a story that "respects readers by offering a comforting, but direct confrontation with death in a story that is both somber and joyful.” Ringtved's text, which is in my opinion well worthy of the accolades it has won, is enhanced by the accompanying artwork of Charlotte Pardi, which captures the emotional register of each scene to perfection. Whether it be the earnest sadness of the children serving coffee to Death, or the transcendent hope that memory provides in the two-page spread in which the breeze recalls his grandmother to one of the children, Pardi's illustrations skillfully capture the most powerful moments of the story. Recommended to anyone looking for a thoughtful, painful, but ultimately hopeful look at death for young people. show less

I like this book as an introduction to death for kids. It's respectful and not scary. I like that death is a kind and patient personification.

I really don't like the argument that one can't truly feel one end of an emotional spectrum without feeling the other end. I've never liked that argument about anything because it implies that people who haven't suffered are unable to experience the true joys of life, and excuses the pain of those who have suffered. Instead of working to alleviate suffering, we can wave it off as a necessary part of life. When it comes to inevitable things like death, and books for children, I'm more ok with it because sometimes people need to believe that stuff happens for a reason, and maybe it's harder for show more children to understand that life just isn't fair sometimes...but personally I would really hate it if I was trying to mourn and someone told me, well at least you'll be able to truly appreciate your future happiness now!

So while I would recommend this book to others who want to talk to their children about death, I don't think I would want to actually use it myself if I had children I needed to talk to about death. show less

I can't remember how I came to find out about today's book but I am certainly glad that I did. The book is Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved with illustrations by Charlotte Pardi. (It's translated from Dutch to English by Robert Moulthrop.) The premise is a simple one: Teaching children how to handle the grief of a loved one who passes away. (Coincidentally, it might help adults as well.) The illustrations themselves are quite unique and beautiful but when linked with the words are perfect and stunning. The story follows 4 siblings who wait with Death who is there to take their grandmother. It's a poignant depiction of the tension that one feels when sitting at the bedside of someone near and dear to your heart. It's a show more lifting of the veil so that if a child were to experience death they would see that without it there can be no fervor or joy in life. It's a two-sided coin. It's an extremely touching story and I think it is a really lovely way to introduce a difficult topic to children (you can't shield them from it forever and you really shouldn't try). 10/10 and highly recommend to all ages. show less

Four little children live in a snug little house far north. And, as the story continues they are cared for by their kindly grandmother. Outside of the house is a scythe, letting the reader know that something is happening inside. And inside, are the four children who know that the man dressed in black is death. Death is sitting at the table with them, and as long as he is there, the children believe they can keep him at bay and leave their grandmother alone.

Death is plied with coffee, lots of it. Death is kept company through a lot of questions. And finally, the question asked is "Oh, Death," "Our grandmother is so dear to us, why does she have to die?"

In a wonderful, beautiful manner, death tells the children of the poignancy of life. show more There is no joy without sorrow. And it is in the power of great love that we find grief and the strength to continue to live while letting go.

And thus, death teaches the children that in order to fully enjoy sun, there must be rain. Together, they stand by grandmother's bed and the words "Cry, Heart, But Never Break" are spoken.

While it may seem that this is a trite book with sugary words, in fact, death teaches us all a lesson. It is with a full heart of love that we are able to grieve and know that in our love the spirit lives on.

This is a wonderful book for children, and adults, for anyone who has felt the sting of death and the easing balm of memories. show less

I picked this up on a whim after I saw it mentioned here on Goodreads just to see how a picture book would deal with death head-on. If nothing else, you have to admire the courage of the creators. The result is gloomy, of course, but is not without some truth and some uncomfortable and unintentional humor, especially if read out loud with a group of people. No children were present though, so I have no idea how this would go over with those to whom it is targeted).

From the press release:
“Cry, Heart. But Never Break, winner of the 2017 Batchelder Prize, tells the story of Death, a cloaked but kindly figure, visiting four children as their grandmother is dying, and how, to help them understand, Death tells the grandchildren a story about joy and sadness existing together. The fable Death tells the children ultimately brings them solace, and helps them understand their grandmother's passing.”

I saw this book in passing on my Goodreads feed and ordered it from the library immediately. I don’t know what I was expecting. I’m sure those with specific religious beliefs have guidance for what picture books to read to children in times of need, but I think a more secular and still philosophical work show more is eagerly wanted. It’s sad, there’s no other word for this book, but it’s also genuinely touching. It's got some sincere feeling within its pages.

It is, of course, intended for children, and if you have the inclination to question the bigger moral question of ‘why’ there is a need for balance, why grief and joy go hand in hand, then maybe you’ll want to skip this and pick something else up.

Or maybe, you, like me, need to contemplate these questions a little. I cried when I read this. I really liked it, and I think I may purchase it when I have kids. I'll see when I get there. show less

What a wonderful book this is! Never thought a book on such a dreary topic could be handled so beautifully.

Death has come to take away the grandmother of four little children. So they decide to try diverting his attention away from his task. He then tells them a beautiful story that helps them understand how life is incomplete without death.

This would be a fabulous book to help little children understand something as tragic as death. As the Grim reaper himself puts it, "Cry, Heart, But Never Break." Don't allow the grief to overwhelm you but remember that life moves on, and focus on the good memories of those who are no longer with you. The message that the book conveys is important for adults too. So this can be a beautiful book to show more read together if you want to explain the why's of death to your child or if someone close has passed away.

The illustrations also are gorgeous, evoking the right feelings. I loved how Death isn't portrayed in a very scary way but just as a secretive old man. (Reminded me a little of the BFG illustration from my Roald Dahl book.)

Amazing, amazing, amazing!!! Recommended with all my heart.

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