Maybe Tomorrow? (a story about loss, healing, and friendship)

When Elba, who continually drags a large black block behind her, meets Norris in the park, the dancing green crocodile, surrounding by shimmering butterflies, loses no time in making friends. Sensing something sad in the block, he wonders whether what is in inside needs to come out. Elba isn't quite ready for that, and Norris reflects that "maybe tomorrow" she will be prepared to take that step. Then Norris invites Elba to visit the seaside with him, and as they walk along, the purple hippo lugging her block behind her, she confides in the crocodile that she misses her friend, Little Bird. Through sharing, the block grows smaller, but it will always be with her...

A lovely, lovely book, one which pairs a sensitively imagined tale of loss show more and healing from author Charlotte Agell with beautiful artwork from illustrator Ana Ramírez González, Maybe Tomorrow? was an absolute delight to read and peruse. I have never encountered the work of this author or illustrator before, but I will certainly be looking for more from both of them. This one reminded me a bit of Elisa Kleven's picture-books, particularly her stories about Ernst the crocodile, which is high praise. I loved the color palette used here, found Ramírez González' figures both cute and expressive, and thought the story itself was perceptive and compassionate. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about the loss of a friend, and the subsequent grieving process. show less

I first picked this up because of the art style, reminiscient of Tove Jansson’s Moomins, and in some ways it has a similar gentle, comforting feel to it. I was not surprised to learn that the author was originally Swedish.

Elba, the pink hippo, has a big, dark purple block she drags with her everywhere. It’s almost as big as she is and it’s heavy and “made her think darkly.” Norris, the green crocodile, dances everywhere, carefree and happy. When Norris and Elba meet, Norris gently questions Elba - does she want to go on a picnic? How does the block make her feel? Is there something inside it? Norris does not push her to leave the block, simply sits with her and offers “Maybe tomorrow.” Gradually, as Norris patiently meets show more Elba on her block, brings tea and picnics to her, and his cloud of butterflies, Elba opens up and tells Norris about her friend Little Bird, who is gone. They remember her together and miss her together. Norris gently reminds Elba that “sometimes we have to let things go” as some of his butterflies flit away. Shared with a friend, Elba’s block grows lighter and smaller. She will always have it, but with a friend to help it does not weigh her down so much.

Gonzalez’ art shines softly with shimmering butterflies, blue ocean waves, green trees and grass, and the gentle warmth of a kind friendship. Elba’s distress is visible in her slumped posture and sad face, but as she shares her burden with the cheery Norris, she slowly becomes happier and her burden lightens. Norris has a sympathetic face and expressive eyebrows, patiently listening and helping Elba gradually appreciate the beautiful things in the world and make new friends.

Verdict: Add this to Doerrfeld’s The Rabbit Listened for a nuanced portrait of dealing with heavy emotions. It’s left ambiguous in the story as to whether Little Bird has died or just is gone and readers can easily apply this to their own griefs or those of their friends. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781338214888; Published March 2019 by Scholastic; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

So the cover looks like Lyle the Crocodile Meets a Moomin, and therefor, irresistible. So unexpected.

Everyone experiences loss. Whether we are sad about the fish who died overnight, or miss the home we used to have before the move, or we grieve the death of our most beloved family members, we have all lost something. Elba's grief is a large block, too heavy to carry. Norris arrives in a cloud of butterflies. Norris can't make Elba happy, but he can ease some of the sadness. And that is enough.

It's a lovely book and just writing this is making me teary. Obviously you can share it with a young child who is grieving, but it is also a powerful reminder of how much good we can do for those we care about who are hurting.

Library copy

I absolutely adore this story of Elba and Norris. It shows how simple acts of friendship and caring for someone can go a long way. In the book, Elba has a large black box with nothing in it that goes everywhere she goes. Elba recently lost a love one and the box represents her sadness. Elba meets Norris who asks her to have a picnic him. Initially Elba declines but Norris doesn't give up. He patiently waits until Elba is ready while providing her comfort along the way. Towards the end of the story, Elba's box is much smaller. I especially like how the box doesn't completely go a way. I think it is important to note how loss can hurt but gets better over time.

{My thoughts} – Elba and Norris have two totally different personalities. Eventually the two of them become friends. Elba had lost someone close to her and is having problems letting go. Norris has no problem letting go and moving forward.

This book helps to show children that it’s okay to move forward and have fun after you lose someone that was once really important to you. The illustrations and the words within the pages go together so nicely. The two of them help to paint a wonderful picture, that shows children through imagination what it is like to hold onto sadness. It helps to show them what it is like to let go of that sadness as well. I think this is a great book.

This book has the potential to teach children so much and I show more look forward to sharing it with my girls when they get a little older. show less

Maybe Tomorrow? is a book about grief and the importance of friendship. This book was sad but also sweet in the way that Norris helped Elba through the heavy weight of Elba's grief. I liked how the illustrations were bright and colorful, in contrast to the heavy theme of the book.

This is a wonderful book about friendship and the idea that you can be there for your friends just by being present. I think we often assume we have to solve problems or figure out issues, but the power of your presence is sometimes the best way to show others your support. Norris is a positive, joyous character that sees the good in everything and Elba is going through a hard time and has a heavy block that is weighing her down. Throughout the story Norris questions Elba but then sits in silence until Elba is ready and often ends the day with "Maybe tomorrow?" and it just gives Elba the confidence that she can do what she needs to do and Norris is not going to give up on her. Eventually, they work together to get to the beach and as show more they go, Elba's block gets smaller and she's able to talk about her loss and allows her to heal and shrink the block even more. It is such a fantastic book for students to experience true friendship and acceptance. show less