Cyparissus: That which dies is never forgotten; that which is forgotten, dies

by Marta Sanmamed, Sonja Wimmer (Illustrator), Jon Brokenbrow (Translator)

Irene and her dog Lucy were inseparable. But one day, everything changed… When Irene arrived home from school, she couldn’t find her friend anywhere. She asked where Lucy was, and her mom told her that Lucy had run off in the park. When George went to riding class and didn't find his horse, Paddy, he got worried. "Paddy’s up in the clouds”, they told him. George couldn’t understand how a little horse could jump that high, but he decided he had to get everything ready for whenever he came back. During the long, dark nights, Molly would be woken by nightmares every time she dozed off to sleep. She longed so much for Gus, her gray rabbit… Tango was a happy little goldfinch who loved to sing his songs from the windowsill. One day, Danny went to buy some bread, but when he came back, the house was silent. He asked his grandpa what was wrong, and he told Danny that Tango had gone on a long, long journey… Four stories that address the loss and absence of a loved one. A picture book that will help many parents and grandparents to explain in a simple and beautiful way the complex issue of the loss of a loved one forever.

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2015

About the author

Marta es hortelana, bloguera, podcaster, escritora y artista plástica exponiendo dentro y fuera de España.

Su obra plástica más reciente pertenece al movimiento upcycling ART (suprareciclado) con sus Giardinos knotyknot© creados a partir de plástico reutilizado.

Acaba de publicar (2019), junto a David Esteban Cubero, “Magela en la Isla de Plástico” la primera novela de la serie “Ay Magela” para reflexionar sobre la influencia del ser humano en el medio ambiente y sobre la importancia de la amistad, de la lealtad y de la tolerancia.

Autora de "Aquí yace…o no", de la Editorial Oberón/Anaya (2012), de "La Libreta de Magela"(2005) y de los álbumes ilustrados: "Cipariso", Medalla de Oro Ippy Awards al mejor álbum ilustrado en español (Nueva York 2015), Medalla de Plata Living Now Books Awards
Mención de Honor International Latino Book Awards en la categoría Mejor Álbum Ilustrado de Ficción en español y "Diez lágrimas y un abrazo"(2017), ambos de la editorial Cuento de Luz.

Su obra literaria se ha traducido a más de cinco idiomas.

Reviews

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surreal but touching and affective stories of children coping with the loss of beloved pets. A comforting book for anyone who has lost a non-human companion.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the things we tell children about death, as if not telling them the truth could somehow shield them from reality. In this picture book from Spain, four different children suffer losses, and then they each try to do the things they think will make their animal friends return to them. One girl takes her mother's admonition to be strong literally, and she begins exercising to strengthen herself, while another girl tries to keep herself from falling asleep since she associates it with something bad. Although the book contains a lot of text, accompanied by soft, imaginative illustrations, the words are carefully chosen, and intended to provide comfort while also being honest. I liked how the stories of these losses are nested within the frame of the story of Cyparissus as well as being reminded that my own animal friends will live forever in my memory. Those losses can be ever so hard to bear, and even now I think of those who have left me, most recently Midnight and Tyger Tyger. What a hole in my world they have made with their departures!

[Panterzop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite!

[Candance Doerr-Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about death and losing a beloved pet, be it bird, horse, rabbit, or dog. Cyparissus the tree helps the children to mourn and honor their loved ones through collective grief.

Helpful introduction to death rather than euphemisms of “going to the sky” or “running awa

Dreamlike drawings.

New: WSRA book sale

[Gustavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi cuento favorito de la infancia <3

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to see someone who appreciates this myth. An inspired idea to make Cyparissus guardian of kids who have lost pets.