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Glenn Ringtved
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Cry, Heart, But Never Break Kindle Edition

by Glenn Ringtved (Author), Charlotte Pardi (Illustrator), Robert Moulthrop (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 538 ratings
See all formats and editions
A poetic picture book about being able to say goodbye to those we love, while holding them in memory.
  • We continue to be told that there just aren't enough books available for children on loss and grief. This book offers a story that is about not only the death of a beloved old person, but also the duality of life itself, composed as it is of light and dark. Indeed, the story is just as much about the coexistence of these two things as about loss. Accessible, gently frank and philosophic, this book should have strong appeal in the school and library market as well as among all professionals who work with children, along with their caregivers.

  • A strong, lovely text makes this book a standout.

  • A large need exists for books like this.

  • Very well conceived in regard to the audience -- the children -- it is meant to reach.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 10 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Publisher
    Enchanted Lion
  6. Publication date
    May 7, 2019
  7. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1592701872
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review


"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

About the Author

Glen Ringtved: Glen Ringtved is a best-selling Danish children's author, whose books have been widely translated.

Charlotte Pardi: Charlotte Pardi is a well-beloved Danish illustrator, who has created numerous books since her first picture book in 2000.

Robert Moulthrop, an award-winning author and playwright, lives and works in New York City. Two short story collectionsTo Tell You The Truth and Elvis’s DogMoonbeamhave been critically acclaimed. Jack, The Prince of Ireland, his play for children, was first performed at Manhattan Children’s Theatre.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07R92RBXJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enchanted Lion; 1st edition (May 7, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 7, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7223 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 538 ratings

About the author

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Glenn Ringtved

Glenn Ringtved

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
538 global ratings
Cry, Heart but Never Break is a wonderfully gentle way to address death.
5 Stars
Cry, Heart but Never Break is a wonderfully gentle way to address death.
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!
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Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very touching story
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
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.
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S. Ngo
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
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.
2 people found this helpful
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audball515
5.0 out of 5 stars Cry, Heart but Never Break is a wonderfully gentle way to address death.
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
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!
Customer image
audball515
5.0 out of 5 stars Cry, Heart but Never Break is a wonderfully gentle way to address death.
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2021
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!
Images in this review
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7 people found this helpful
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KathyM
5.0 out of 5 stars Wise, beautiful and sensitive story on the topic of death--highly recommended.
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
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 :-)
143 people found this helpful
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David B. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Poignant, and Loving
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
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.
40 people found this helpful
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Jenny Nguyen
4.0 out of 5 stars Love this book but the product was ripped
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
The cover of the book was ripped when I received it
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Bean
5.0 out of 5 stars Every family should have a book like this
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
Verified Purchase
Gentle way of discussing death/grief/mourning with children.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Fall of Freddie the Leaf does a better job...
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
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.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Qwerty43
5.0 out of 5 stars Good purchase.
Reviewed in Canada on October 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
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.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book for someone who’s grieving
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Brought this for my young neice and nephew who lost their dad this year - beautiful book and had me in tears - also good for adults to read !

Arrived quickly and good quality
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Johny
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple writing for any mind
Reviewed in India on August 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
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
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Pilar Romero-Ardoy
5.0 out of 5 stars lo recomiendo
Reviewed in Spain on August 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
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.
One person found this helpful
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AB
5.0 out of 5 stars Scalda il cuore e consola
Reviewed in Italy on March 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
una storia semplice con belle illustrazioni sul difficile tema della morte, aiuta a capire come accettare che una persona amata come una nonna se ne vada. da leggere ai bimbi che hanno perso il nonno o la nonna per aiutarli a superare il dolore.
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