Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss

by اعظم مهدوی, Azam Mahdavi, Maryam Tahmasebi (Illustrator)

In this bilingual Persian-English picture book, a little girl learns how to live with the gentle giant that embodies her grief. After a young girl's mother dies, Empty appears and silently takes up the big blank space left behind. For some time, the girl can't connect with her dad or any friends, and Empty is her closest companion. But then, a happy reminder of her mom pops up one day, and this bit of joy helps the little girl open up to the world around her. Empty stays around, but the little girl starts to connect with others and share new moments of happiness with them. Originally published in Iran, this bilingual Persian-English picture book provides a gentle starting point for discussing death and grief with young readers. Its spare, poignant text and artwork gives children a concrete point of reference for the complex emotions people experience after the loss of a loved one. Readers of any age, however, will find comfort in the encouraging message of this beautiful book.

Genres: Picture Books, Grief, Death, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Emotion

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Shaghayegh · Rating 5 out of 5]

یادم هست که منصور ضابطیان یه جا که یادم نمیاد دقیقا کجا بود، اشاره کرده بود که یکی از سرگرمی‌هاش تو سفر این هست که ساعت‌ها تو کتابفروشی بشینه و کتاب‌های مصور رو ورق بزنه.
من هم تو بخش کودک-نوجوان، وقتی چشمم به این کتاب خورد گفتم تو هم امتحانش کن و این شد که سوگواری رو به زبون ساده و بی‌آلایش در تصویرسازی‌های قشنگ دیدم.
این مفهوم برای بچه، تلخ و تاریک نیست. هر آدمی تو هر سنی باید یک سری مفاهیم رو حتی شده خلاصه و سربسته درک کنه. از دست دادن، سوگواری و کنار اومدن با کسی که زمانی بود و حالا نیست اما جای خالیش حس میشه.
برای من فقط راجع به بچه‌ای نبود که مادرش رو از دست داده؛ چون این مقوله برای من فقط به مرگ ختم‌ نمیشه. تو می‌تونی خودت رو از دست بدی. می‌تونی آدمی رو با وجود اینکه حضور هم داره، مرده فرض کنی.
خلاصه اگر دوست دارین بچه‌ای رو با واقعیت مواجه کنین و فقط ذهنش رو با مضامین گل و بلبل پر نکنین، این کتاب رو پیشنهاد میدم. اگرچه به درد هر سن و سالی می‌خوره.

[Leyla Eskandarnejad · Rating 5 out of 5]

در روانشناسی رشد یه مفهومی وجود داره به اسم Attachment Theory یا نظریه‌ی دلبستگی. طبق این نظریه، بچه‌ها در سال‌های ابتدایی زندگی، وقتی تازه شخصیت و هویتشون در حال شکل‌گیریه و شناخت روشنی از خودشون ندارن، هویت خودشونو به آدمای امن زندگیشون—به‌ویژه پدر و مادر—گره می‌زنن. توی این شرایط، اگر یکی از این آدمای امن رو از دست بدن، برخلاف بزرگ‌ترها فقط دچار سوگ و دلتنگی نمی‌شن، بلکه اساس هویتشون هم زیر سوال میره.
شخصیتشون، نگاهشون به جهان اطراف و حتی تعریفشون از امنیت، همگی در معرض خطر قرار می‌گیره. برای همین خیلی مهمه که بدونیم چطور باید بچه‌ها رو برای چنین موقعیت سختی آماده کنیم و از چه کلمات و توضیحاتی استفاده کنیم.
رویکردی که این کتاب برای بیان این مفهوم انتخاب کرده، فوق‌العاده‌ست و می‌تونه خیلی به بچه‌ها در پردازش و فهمیدن احساساتشون کمک کنه.
به‌نظرم خوندن این کتاب برای بچه‌ها چه دچار سوگ باشن چه نباشن واجبه چون "خالی" فقط از دست دادن یه آدم نیست و بچه‌ها اگر به سلاح آگاهی مجهز باشن، با مشکلات دیگه هم راحت‌تر میجنگن.

پ.ن: کتاب "جعبه‌ی خاطرات" از انتشارات مهرسا هم تو همین موضوع، فوق‌العادس.

[Mohadese · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ پنج‌ستاره‌ی طلایی ☆

خالی داستان دختریه که مادرش رو از دست می‌ده و جای خالی‌ش رو با خالی پر می‌کنه!
یکی از قشنگ‌ترین و پرمفهوم‌ترین کتاب‌هایی بود که در باب مرگ خوندم.
تصویر سازی‌های کتاب هم بسی زیبا بود. >>>>

این کتاب رو بارها تو کتابفروشیم معرفی کردم، هم برای کودک مناسبه و هم برای نوجوان. شاید حتی برای بزرگترها اگر دل‌شون یه داستان کم‌حجم اما پرعمق بخواد.
متاسفانه من پدر و مادری رو ندیدم که در مورد "مرگ" و "افسردگی" با بچه‌هاشون صحبت کنن، البته تا حدی هم قابل درکه اما وقتی اون بچه بدون هیچ پیش‌زمینه‌ای با چنین فقدانی روبه‌رو می‌شه باید چه واکنشی نشون بده؟
حقیقتا حتی من با ۲۴ سال سن هنوز دقیق این رو نمی‌دونم و معتقدم نیاز به آموزش داریم تا بتونیم به درستی باهاشون روبه‌رو بشیم و ازشون گذر کنیم :)
خالی می‌تونه یه شروع باشه یا همون آموزش کوچکی که لازمه!

[Zeinab ☀️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

تصویر هاش انقدر زیبا بودن که میتونم سال ها بهشون نگاه کنم
غمی که توی کتاب هس رو نمیتونم توصیف کنم
ارزش اینهمه مسخره شدن توسط دیگران بخاطر خریدن کتاب مثلا بچه گانه رو داشت

[Sahel.hn · Rating 5 out of 5]

فقدان، سوگ. از دست دادن کسی یا چیزی بسیار عزیز و ارزشمند به هر شکلی؛ که هیچوقت رهات نمیکنه. و صرفا یاد میگیری چطور با وجود این حس به زندگی ادامه بدی.

[Laela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically refrain from reviewing picture books as the sheer volume often results in a blending of impressions. However, this particular work demands a departure from my usual stance.

The profound depth of this beautifully illustrated narrative resonates with me on a personal level. The familiarity with death as an enduring companion strikes a chord, portraying a poignant tale of a mother's demise and the subsequent companionship between a little girl and her newfound friend, Empty. Empty becomes a constant presence, hand in hand with the girl, accompanying her through every facet of life. Despite the girl's attempts to find solace in various things, Empty persists, a poignant reminder of grief's enduring nature. Even in moments of positive change, Empty remains an unwavering companion.

This portrayal encapsulates the essence of grief with a stark and authentic realism. The narrative captures the universal truth of loss, offering a tangible representation of the void left behind. I am compelled to share this book with others, to place it in their hands and articulate, "Here is a visual articulation of the profound loss I have experienced." The emotional resonance is undeniable

[Yasna · Rating 5 out of 5]

چقد دردناک بود.

[Elizabeth M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to start off with this impactful quote from the book: “Then, Mom died, and Empty took her place.” My first question as I began reading this book, and read the book’s title was, “Who is Empty?” As you read through the book, you begin to learn who Empty is and why it appeared in the girl's life.

Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss was written by Azam Mahdavi, who is from Iran. Azam has won awards for several of her books. She has written many books for younger readers and adults.

The book begins off with very muted grey tones in the illustrations, making the mood darker and more intimate, charging us into the characters' thoughts and feelings. Later on, when the girl sees the light at the end of the tunnel, the illustrations begin to have color. As a reader, one can sympathize with this book due to its message; a sense of grief and belonging.

This book follows a young girl's journey to happiness and opening up to her family after losing her mother. She is able to cope with her loneliness with the apparition of a new companion named “Empty.” Empty actually represents one’s emotions, hence the name. But is this companion invisible and only she can see it because it’s her own journey to grief? Empty is a metaphor to the first stage of grief: sadness. The book does not go into detail about what exactly happened to the mother, which is appreciated because then it may lose the actual message, tone, and would become too personal with the specific details. Rather the book goes into more detail about how it feels within ourselves to lose a loved one close to you, especially losing a mother. You wonder, does everyone feel this internal pain when losing someone? The young girl is reminded of her mother, and therefore is able to open up and have a better relationship with her father. I think this is a good book to begin a soft conversation with a child dealing with death.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful, quiet moving book conveys emotions with the very simple text and phenomenal illustrations. The concept, the tone, the colors, all wonderfully come together to show grief from a gentle reflective perspective. I do not speak Farsi and cannot comment on the original text, I requested the book to see if there was any Islamic representation or strong cultural inclusion and there really isn't , it is a universal story and even those that do not know grief and loss will understand empathy and healing after spending time with this young girl, her imaginary friend Empty, a lonely cat, a flowering plant, and a loving father.

[Mim_farahani · Rating 4 out of 5]

"خالی" داستانی درباره فقدان است اما این تمامِ "خالی" نیست. ظاهر کتاب، برای مخاطب کودک است اما من کتاب "خالی" را به گروه سنی نوجوان به بالا توصیه می‌کنم. حجم غم و انتزاعی بودن مفهوم داستان، مواجهه کودک با اثر را دشوار می‌کند. تصویرگری‌ کتاب بسیار چشم نواز است. اگر "خالی" را جایی دیدید، دقایقی از وقتتان را برایش خالی کنید تا گوشه‌ای از قلبتان پر شود.

[Rana Heshmati · Rating 4 out of 5]

تو نمایشگاه کتاب به پیشننهاد کتابفروش نشر هوپا برش داشتم و خوندمش. یادمه که زیبا بود. ولی خیلی بنظرم دارکه برا بچه ها 🥲

[Y_falahati · Rating 5 out of 5]

زندگی دخترکی که با جای "خالی" مادرش داره مانوس میشه، کم کم با اتفاقات شیرینی گره می‌خوره که همه چیز رو قابل تحمل می‌کنه... "خالی" تا آخرین روز پیش دخترک می‌مونه... قرار نیست بره... فقط دخترک می‌فهمه چطور باهاش زندگی کنه...

[Abdollah zarei · Rating 4 out of 5]

شاید فقط در صورتی که عزیزی رو از دست داده باشید خالی رو درک کنید

[Kowsar Bagheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

بابا قلبم پاره‌پاره شد. 💘

[Izabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

En fantastiskt fin bilderbok om tomheten som kommer efter att ha förlorat en närstående. Barnet i boken har en mamma som dött. Efter att mamma dog kom Tomheten och tog hennes plats. Tomheten är en stor gullig blobb som följer med barnet i livet tills en dag då Tomheten inte finns längre.

Bra att läsa tillsammans med barn som underlag för att diskutera sorg, förlust och läkningsprocessen.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so rare to get translated books from Iran; much less a book for children! This was a touching account of a little girl who had lost her mother and is followed around by 'empty' (a hard boiled egg shaped 'ghost') who is her constant companion. She has to find new things to fill 'empty' with - because she has to go on with life. Creative and touching - highest recommendation.

[The Zahra. · Rating 4 out of 5]

چه‌قدر خوب کنار اومدن با از دست دادن رو نشون داده بود. چه‌قدر خوب به تصویر درآورد. چه‌قدر خوب مفهوم سوگواری رو توضیح داد. چه‌قدر خوب. چه‌قدر خوب. چه‌قدر دلنشین. من اگه مردم، اگه هنوز این کتاب رو برای دخترم نخونده بودم، شما بهش بدید این رو بخونه.

[Taha M. Esmaili · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Negar rahimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

تو میتوانی برایم خالی باشی!! همینقدر پر اهمیت ، دوست داشتنی ولی خالی💫

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empty and Me was chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection winner in 2023. I chose to read this book because I have struggled with the loss of my father over the past year, and was curious how a children's book might discuss loss. In the story, you follow a young girl who has lost her mother, and "Empty," the adorable and squishy-looking character, following her around. Empty is a metaphor for the young girl's grief. You see him everywhere she goes. In the illustrations, you can see how Empty is a barrier to others, even her father. There are moments when the father is pushed against Empty to get closer to his daughter. Towards the end of the story, the young girl finds things to help "fill" empty: A flower from the last plant her and her mother planted, and a lost kitten. At the end, the illustrator shows that the girl has a handle on her grief by showing the little girl sitting atop Empty's shoulders, rather than being pulled around by him.

This book would be an appropriate choice for younger readers. The writing is simple and easy to follow. This book could be used for young children who have experienced loss. The illustrations also help tell so much of the story, it would be a good book for discussing how illustrations can tell us things that the text does not.

[Biblioteken i Örnsköldsvik · Rating 5 out of 5]

En fantastiskt fin bilderbok om tomheten som kommer efter att ha förlorat en närstående. Barnet i boken har en mamma som dött. Efter att mamma dog kom Tomheten och tog hennes plats. Tomheten är en stor gullig blobb som följer med barnet i livet tills en dag då Tomheten inte finns längre.

Bra att läsa tillsammans med barn som underlag för att diskutera sorg, förlust och läkningsprocessen.

[بهار · Rating 5 out of 5]

روایتی بی‌نظیر از سوگ، و باز هم تصویرگری‌های دلنشین مریم‌ طهماسب. خیلی جالب است که کارکتر خالی و سبک و سیاق تصویرسازی‌اش واقعا خالی‌ست. تمامش آن حس خلا و فقدان و خالی را می‌دهد. نمی‌دانم می‌دانید چه می‌گویم یا نه:)

[Zahra tavakoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

داستان دخترکی که مادرش را از دست داده و جای خالی مادرش را مثل یک شخصیت می‌بیند و سعی می‌کند با فقدان مادر کنار بیاید.
تصویرگری جلوتر از متن و فوق‌العاده البته توقع داشتم با توجه به تغییر روحیه دخترک، رنگ تصاویر شادتر شود و این تغییر روحیه دیده شود.
کتابی درباره‌ٔ فقدان و مناسب بالای ۱۰ سال.

[Nazanin · Rating 5 out of 5]

بهترین تصویرسازی ممکن.

[virly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️
i think empty is my friend too

[Neda Vahedian · Rating 4 out of 5]

آخ قلبم … 💔

[شیما · Rating 5 out of 5]

فوق‌العاده بود.

[Zarinaz Vahid]

خیلی زیبا و غصه‌دار و غمگین و ناز بود و کاش هیچکس لازم نباشه بخوندش و همه تفریحی بخوننش:(

[The Bookbutterfly's Quotage · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a rare and delicate honesty at the heart of Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss. From the first pages, the book asks of the reader a willingness to dwell in silence, to witness the sharp, yawning absence that grief carves out. The author does not rush to tidy away sorrow; rather, she names it, gives it form in "Empty", a soft, amorphous presence that shadows a little girl after her mother’s death. "Empty" is neither villain nor comforting angel, but a quiet, constant companion: sometimes oppressive, often tender, and always present. It takes courage to portray grief in such an unguarded way, especially in a book for young children, and Mahdavi, with Maryam Tahmasebi’s illustrations, delivers it without sentimentality, without false cheer; the grief is real, and so is the longing.

The visual architecture of the book is where the heartbreak becomes palpable. Tahmasebi’s artwork uses muted greys, sepias, and shadows in the beginning: all stark, minimal, heavy with loss. As the narrative unfolds, subtle shifts in color, light, and form mirror the emotional journey: a plant blooms, a kitten is rescued, warmth permeates the spaces where the girl once curled inwards. These are small, almost imperceptible acts of re‑connection, with the world, with others, even with the parts of her own heart she thought were lost. The decision to render "Empty" as a shapeless yet physically present figure, often between the child and others, is especially powerful: it visualizes how grief can isolate, how it can wedge itself between what was, what is, and what might be.

Yet the book does not promise full resolution. One of its greatest strengths is its refusal to pretend that grief disappears; "Empty" does not vanish. Instead, the story shows how living with grief becomes possible: how joy and sorrow can coexist, how life can be reshaped around absence rather than healed of it. The ending is ambivalent, hopeful but not triumphant, comforting but not conclusive. In that sense, Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss treats young readers with respect: acknowledging that healing is not linear, that loss leaves traces that persist. And so the book becomes more than a story: it is an invitation to mourn, to remember, to grow around what is missing, rather than to forget.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grief and loss are experienced in very different ways by each individual, and the coping strategies used to deal with losses vary from individual to individual. This bilingual picture book, originally published in Iran and with text in Persian and English, [3.5 for me] follows the path of healing experienced by one young girl. The opening double-page spread shows her sitting alone on a balcony while other youngsters are playing. There are potted plants on the balcony, and readers will understand why when they turn the page as she's remembering the last plant that she and her mother had cultivated. After her mother died, the girl describes how Empty came to stay. Empty is shown lying in her bed, sitting at the breakfast table, accompanying her everywhere she goes. Empty is depicted as a grayish blob, not particularly threatening but almost comforting. Still, it's clear that the family is grieving as there is distance between the father and daughter and few smiles to be found. The early scenes are filled with stark images, dark colors with only glimmers of light shining through. After one of the flowers that the girl and her mother planted blooms, she gives one to Empty, who is shown in subsequent scenes as becoming brighter and with more blossoms. The two of them befriend and adopt a stray kitten, and she and her father start growing closer again, enjoying some outings and sharing a meal. They even manage to feel some joy again and grow another plant. Empty has been the girl's friend all along and has somehow eased the pain of her loss and helped her look forward to new experiences. The text are digital illustrations are lovely, full of significance and exquisite meaning as that blank place where the narrator's mother once lived has been filled temporarily by this friend. This one grows more impressive with repeated readings, and it offers a place to discuss losses of all sorts.