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Tears
A tender, affirming book about why we cry―and why it’s okay.
Everyone cries: little kids, big kids, grown-ups, and even scaly-skinned crocodiles shed tears! But even though they may make our cheeks salty, or our eyes red and puffy, our tears are nurturing a secret garden inside us, and helping us grow.
Tears strips away the shame of crying and encourages children to explore their feelings and where their tears come from. Intricate pencil drawings with splashes of vibrant color illustrate different types of tears. Some tears burst out in hot, heavy sobs, while other tears are quiet and slow. Sometimes they race down our cheeks, other times they bubble just beneath the surface. But as the book reveals, crying is really a way to let out what you’re feeling on the inside.
With accessible, comforting text, this timely picture book supports social-emotional learning and assures young readers that tears are an important, and sometimes necessary, part of healing.
Everyone cries: little kids, big kids, grown-ups, and even scaly-skinned crocodiles shed tears! But even though they may make our cheeks salty, or our eyes red and puffy, our tears are nurturing a secret garden inside us, and helping us grow.
Tears strips away the shame of crying and encourages children to explore their feelings and where their tears come from. Intricate pencil drawings with splashes of vibrant color illustrate different types of tears. Some tears burst out in hot, heavy sobs, while other tears are quiet and slow. Sometimes they race down our cheeks, other times they bubble just beneath the surface. But as the book reveals, crying is really a way to let out what you’re feeling on the inside.
With accessible, comforting text, this timely picture book supports social-emotional learning and assures young readers that tears are an important, and sometimes necessary, part of healing.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 15, 2021
1 person is currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Sibylle Delacroix
58 books7 followersSibylle Delacroix is the illustrator of Tears, Prickly Jenny, Grains of Sand, and Blanche Hates the Night. She graduated from the ERG Saint-Luc School of Graphic Research in Brussels and worked for many years as a graphic designer before becoming a full-time illustrator. Sibylle lives in France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 10, 2021
Tears by Sibylle Delacroix is a lovely picture book that helps teach kids about crying and emotions.
I needed more books like this growing up. Fiction books are fun and all, but sometimes learning about hard emotions is important! I didn't get a lot of learning about emotions as a kid, so I can see great value in these books. Preschool classrooms or guardians reading to their kids - this book is where it's at. I think it's really important to find books like these and use them. Education matters, especially in fun and engaging ways.
I also really like the illustrations of this book! It looks like someone hand drew them with a pencil, but this illustrator is one incredible artist! I'm digging the style! What a cool way to illustrate this book.
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I needed more books like this growing up. Fiction books are fun and all, but sometimes learning about hard emotions is important! I didn't get a lot of learning about emotions as a kid, so I can see great value in these books. Preschool classrooms or guardians reading to their kids - this book is where it's at. I think it's really important to find books like these and use them. Education matters, especially in fun and engaging ways.
I also really like the illustrations of this book! It looks like someone hand drew them with a pencil, but this illustrator is one incredible artist! I'm digging the style! What a cool way to illustrate this book.
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
March 17, 2021
I would definitely use this book to work with kids having trouble releasing their emotions. I do feel that the book would need to be heavily processed with an adult the first reading as tears/crying is such a big concept for little ones to understand. I loved the illustrations throughout the book and the color changes with the changes in mood. Overall I thought the words would be appropriate for children 4-6, but the illustrations were a bit more muted and may better serve older students. It could be useful for a teacher/skills group read aloud with young elementary students.
I received a review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 1, 2020
This book belongs in preschool classrooms, libraries, and children's bedrooms. I share another reviewer's wish that some diversity had been shown in the illustrations, and I'll talk about that when I use the book with families. But the book's clear messages-- that tears are valuable, that the feelings behind them deserve to be heard, and loving arms can help when it feels like tears will overwhelm-- are so important for everyone to understand.
There are a few places where the author's use of metaphor (tears watering a precious garden and a child's room being flooded by tears) will probably need to be explained. But the gentle illustrations lend themselves to that sort of wonder-filled conversation between loving adult and child. The book will feel like a respectful, wanted hug to young children who've been told to settle down and stop crying.
#Tears #NetGalley
There are a few places where the author's use of metaphor (tears watering a precious garden and a child's room being flooded by tears) will probably need to be explained. But the gentle illustrations lend themselves to that sort of wonder-filled conversation between loving adult and child. The book will feel like a respectful, wanted hug to young children who've been told to settle down and stop crying.
#Tears #NetGalley
December 1, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think Tears would be a great book to read with young children to normalize crying and talking about your feelings. It could also be used in SEL (social emotional learning) units in schools.
I'm not a fan of the cover, but most of the inside illustrations were great. I liked the addition of warmer colors after the child was being comforted. I also adore the little crocodile!!
The text was concise and easy to understand.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to be used as a discussion starter with kids. 4.5 stars.
I think Tears would be a great book to read with young children to normalize crying and talking about your feelings. It could also be used in SEL (social emotional learning) units in schools.
I'm not a fan of the cover, but most of the inside illustrations were great. I liked the addition of warmer colors after the child was being comforted. I also adore the little crocodile!!
The text was concise and easy to understand.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to be used as a discussion starter with kids. 4.5 stars.
January 12, 2022
It is okay to have tears.
December 27, 2022
c’était une lecture super mignonne
December 29, 2020
Tears
by Sibylle Delacroix
Back of the Book: “A tender, affirming book about why we cry—and why it’s okay
Everyone cries: little kids, big kids, grown-ups, and even scaly-skinned crocodiles shed tears! But even though they may make our cheeks salty, or our eyes red and puffy, our tears are nurturing a secret garden inside us, and helping us grow.
Tears strips away the shame of crying and encourages children to explore their feelings and where their tears come from. Intricate pencil drawings with splashes of vibrant color illustrate different types of tears. Some tears burst out in hot, heavy sobs, while other tears are quiet and slow. Sometimes they race down our cheeks, other times they bubble just beneath the surface. But as the book reveals, crying is really a way to let out what you’re feeling on the inside.
With accessible, comforting text, this timely picture book supports social-emotional learning and assures young readers that tears are an important, and sometimes necessary, part of healing.”
Impressions: This year has been an emotional year and we have had good and bad days. I was excited to read a book about feelings with my 5- and 9-year-old sons. This was a simple but effective book.
Liked: I read this with my 9-year-old son and we talked about situations where we felt these different times we needed to cry. It is freeing to let these feelings out and it was even more so to talk about them with someone whom you trust and love. I enjoyed this simple book.
Disliked: I think that more detail could have been added to the child’s experiences when feeling emotional. It would have been helpful to have suggestions on how to cope with each type of tears as well.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
by Sibylle Delacroix
Back of the Book: “A tender, affirming book about why we cry—and why it’s okay
Everyone cries: little kids, big kids, grown-ups, and even scaly-skinned crocodiles shed tears! But even though they may make our cheeks salty, or our eyes red and puffy, our tears are nurturing a secret garden inside us, and helping us grow.
Tears strips away the shame of crying and encourages children to explore their feelings and where their tears come from. Intricate pencil drawings with splashes of vibrant color illustrate different types of tears. Some tears burst out in hot, heavy sobs, while other tears are quiet and slow. Sometimes they race down our cheeks, other times they bubble just beneath the surface. But as the book reveals, crying is really a way to let out what you’re feeling on the inside.
With accessible, comforting text, this timely picture book supports social-emotional learning and assures young readers that tears are an important, and sometimes necessary, part of healing.”
Impressions: This year has been an emotional year and we have had good and bad days. I was excited to read a book about feelings with my 5- and 9-year-old sons. This was a simple but effective book.
Liked: I read this with my 9-year-old son and we talked about situations where we felt these different times we needed to cry. It is freeing to let these feelings out and it was even more so to talk about them with someone whom you trust and love. I enjoyed this simple book.
Disliked: I think that more detail could have been added to the child’s experiences when feeling emotional. It would have been helpful to have suggestions on how to cope with each type of tears as well.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
February 24, 2021
My Review: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the following is my honest review and opinion. Emotions are hard for little ones, and sometimes adults too. This is a great book about letting those big emotions out, and some times they come out as tears. It is simple to read and follow for youngsters. It has great illustrations demonstrating tears and how they are different for everyone and for different feelings. This would be a great book to read after a toddler or youngster meltdown to let them know it is okay to let it out and spark a conversation about those feelings.
December 18, 2020
Crying is a universal emotion response that shows what you are feeling. Some tears taste salty and others make your eyes red and puffy. Tears cultivate a special garden within you and help you to grow.
This wonderful book validates crying and erases the shame of doing so. It highlights scenarios where emotions evoke a waterfall that flows from your eyes and tumbles down your cheeks. Some tears fall gently and slowly while others gush like a tsunami accentuating acute feelings of anger and frustration. Crying washes your inside feelings out into the open and liquidly accentuates how you feel. Tears certainly can be an important part of the healing process.
The illustrations are extremely well done and kid-friendly, ones that kids can relate to I'm sure. This would be a lovely addition to a classroom or school library and is a perfect catalyst to spark a conversation about when and why we cry. I highly recommend this book.
This wonderful book validates crying and erases the shame of doing so. It highlights scenarios where emotions evoke a waterfall that flows from your eyes and tumbles down your cheeks. Some tears fall gently and slowly while others gush like a tsunami accentuating acute feelings of anger and frustration. Crying washes your inside feelings out into the open and liquidly accentuates how you feel. Tears certainly can be an important part of the healing process.
The illustrations are extremely well done and kid-friendly, ones that kids can relate to I'm sure. This would be a lovely addition to a classroom or school library and is a perfect catalyst to spark a conversation about when and why we cry. I highly recommend this book.
December 14, 2020
Alright this is a necessary read for the littles. Some of us adults could use these reminders too. Emotions are hard and messy at times, but they are so normal. It’s okay not to be okay...to need to release some tears. Such an important lesson for children. Sweet book, adorable illustrations. One for every home library and classroom!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 15, 2021
I was drawn to Tears when I saw it on the new book display. What surprise this book turned out to be!
Simple but lyrical text that flows wonderfully for a quiet read aloud, this is reassuring ode to a common experience. It is one that children know well but may not have thought about and Delacroix's many relatable examples are beautifully created to allow a young child to explore the emotions involved with crying.
I adored the soft turquoise, white and grey tones of the illustrations and the use of teardrops in the drawings are charmingly done. The simple story follows a toddler through periods of sadness leading to happiness at the end.
A quiet gem of a picture book that has a myriad of uses. Don't miss this one from Owl Kids!
Simple but lyrical text that flows wonderfully for a quiet read aloud, this is reassuring ode to a common experience. It is one that children know well but may not have thought about and Delacroix's many relatable examples are beautifully created to allow a young child to explore the emotions involved with crying.
I adored the soft turquoise, white and grey tones of the illustrations and the use of teardrops in the drawings are charmingly done. The simple story follows a toddler through periods of sadness leading to happiness at the end.
A quiet gem of a picture book that has a myriad of uses. Don't miss this one from Owl Kids!
November 30, 2020
Tears will become a staple on preschool shelves. The normalization of crying and sadness is perfect for a lap-read or teaching emotions at school or in storytimes. The use of teardrops throughout the text add to the emotion drawn on the page. This book would also have been great as a wordless picture book.
My only critique is that the family presented as white. With so many white-centric picture books with universal themes, it would have been helpful to have this book display more diversity.
That being said, I do think this is an important topic that gets right to the heart of relevant issues of sadness, depression, and mental health. I will be recommending this one a lot.
My only critique is that the family presented as white. With so many white-centric picture books with universal themes, it would have been helpful to have this book display more diversity.
That being said, I do think this is an important topic that gets right to the heart of relevant issues of sadness, depression, and mental health. I will be recommending this one a lot.
February 3, 2021
With muted illustrations, “Tears” gently tells us its okay to cry, and that we often feel better after just letting the tears flow. Grownups cry, trees cry, everyone cries. There are many reasons to cry, and this book shows children that it’s okay to express their feelings through tears. This is a nice read for both good and bad days. This text would also support socio-emotional learning in the classroom setting, especially when talking about the blue zone. There isn’t a lot of diversity in the images, but the underlying value of the message remains.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sibylle Delacroix (author) for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sibylle Delacroix (author) for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2021
Tears is a story which I think lots of children would benefit from hearing - that it’s okay to cry because everyone does it from time to time!
This book enables the reader to experience and view how tears are a natural part of life and how sometimes accepting our sadness helps us to move forwards and grow.
Throughout the book all the images are black and white sketches with blue/green backgrounds. However on the last pages there are other colours- yellows, greens, reds, blues, oranges and pinks to help show the growth that comes from moving through sad emotions and the ability to see life moving on again after a wave of sadness has passed.
This book enables the reader to experience and view how tears are a natural part of life and how sometimes accepting our sadness helps us to move forwards and grow.
Throughout the book all the images are black and white sketches with blue/green backgrounds. However on the last pages there are other colours- yellows, greens, reds, blues, oranges and pinks to help show the growth that comes from moving through sad emotions and the ability to see life moving on again after a wave of sadness has passed.
September 8, 2022
A look at the different way tears can come, but a reassurance that it is ok and even good to cry.
Simple text, and stunning black and white illustrations with just a splash of turquoise affirm that tears in all their varieties will come, that they help us release emotions, and that shedding them often makes you feel lighter. A lovely book to use when talking with kids about emotional health and awareness of feelings. It even subtly talks about reaching out for help when the tears are overwhelming. A very sweet book. (And you're completely justified in picking this up to just look at the illustrations too.)
Simple text, and stunning black and white illustrations with just a splash of turquoise affirm that tears in all their varieties will come, that they help us release emotions, and that shedding them often makes you feel lighter. A lovely book to use when talking with kids about emotional health and awareness of feelings. It even subtly talks about reaching out for help when the tears are overwhelming. A very sweet book. (And you're completely justified in picking this up to just look at the illustrations too.)
December 18, 2020
NetGalley copy - As a teacher, working in a behavioral setting, I find that this book will be an amazing addition to my classroom library. I wish I had this book last year. A previous student lost her mother to cancer and did not know how to feel. Every time she fell, her tears would be loud and heavy as thought that was the only appropriate time to cry. I love this book because it will help little ones like her know it is okay to cry. I am appreciative of this lovely lesson in emotions and look forward to purchasing a copy for my classroom when it publishes.
January 24, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books.
Lovely story about the freeing ability of tears. Delacroix addresses the many reasons we cry and how it helps us release emotions. Some tears are better cried alone and some need another's touch to comfort us. All are cleansing and healing. I love the pops of color in each illustration and the building colors as readers see the children weep and acknowledge their emotions. The final illustration represents so much emotional release and freedom.
A book for families to read together and use as a springboard to acknowledge emotions everyone feels.
Lovely story about the freeing ability of tears. Delacroix addresses the many reasons we cry and how it helps us release emotions. Some tears are better cried alone and some need another's touch to comfort us. All are cleansing and healing. I love the pops of color in each illustration and the building colors as readers see the children weep and acknowledge their emotions. The final illustration represents so much emotional release and freedom.
A book for families to read together and use as a springboard to acknowledge emotions everyone feels.
February 7, 2021
This picture book is truly lovely. The illustrations are simple and expressive, and the text is straightforward and reassuring, explaining the role of tears, different types of crying, and the reality that everyone cries. The final pages show more color, emphasizing that after we have cried and dealt with our emotions, we can feel lighter and go on to experience new things. This book has the tone and feel of a classic, and I would definitely recommend it.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2021
A beautiful picture book about the many types of tears we shed. The illustrations and limited colour pallet throughout most and the addition of a few bright colors in the final pages, fit the book so wonderfully. A perfect addition to story times for preschool and school aged children to support thinking and learning about emotions.
Thank you to Net Galley and OwlKids Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and OwlKids Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2021
A sweet little picturebook that explores how we all cry - no matter our age - and that doing so can cleanse our hearts and minds. Pencilled illustrations with a focus on character and expressions and minimal backgrounds - save for when needed, help focus on person and feeling. A beautiful, colour-dappled closing spread highlights that lightness and hope that can come when you recover from heavy thoughts and feelings.
December 28, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Owlkids Books for the digital advance reading copy.
This was a great book. Tears should be in every classroom, home library, and daycare to help teachers, parents, and care givers explain sadness and tears to small children. I love the beautifully muted illustrations, they accent the text wonderfully.
This was a great book. Tears should be in every classroom, home library, and daycare to help teachers, parents, and care givers explain sadness and tears to small children. I love the beautifully muted illustrations, they accent the text wonderfully.
March 29, 2021
A gentle story well-suited to discuss emotions with the youngest readers. The monochromatic palette works well for the mood. Pair with Why Do We Cry? for a very sad storytime!
July 21, 2021
This picture book encourages children to explore their feelings, tears, and where they come from. This book supports social-emotional learning and its message is to assure young readers that it is okay to cry because tears important as they are part of the healing process and crying is a way to let out what you're feeling on the inside. Lovely pencil drawing illustrations with splashes of colour.
March 7, 2022
This book is all about tears - why we have them, what form they take for some people (hot tears, inside tears, one tear vs. many etc.) This book does some work to normalize crying, describing that it's something that both adults and children do - however, it also uses some language I don't love, like "crying cleans our messy feelings."
July 9, 2025
A beautiful story that celebrates the beauty and of crying. I love that it focuses on just on why we cry, or even the fact that it's okay to cry, but instead highlights the ways we cry. The way our tears sound and feel and look. The types of crying and all the different emotions that tie into our tears.
December 15, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Owlkids Books for a free digital copy for my review.
With moody illustrations, this book teaches children that all people cry and for many reasons. It normalizes feeling all the feelings. It highlights that a good cry can be cleansing.
With moody illustrations, this book teaches children that all people cry and for many reasons. It normalizes feeling all the feelings. It highlights that a good cry can be cleansing.
January 21, 2021
There are lots of reasons why we cry and all of them are okay. Crying is good for us and gives our hearts and eyes a good cleaning. It helps us prepare for a fresh start. That's the simple message in this beautifully illustrated book.
March 31, 2021
Talking about feelings with young children, especially hurt feelings, can be difficult. This book about the many kinds of tears that children, and sometimes adults, shed, will help make those conversations a little easier. Excellent!
April 6, 2021
Everybody cries sometimes. All about the different ways and experiences of crying, told with gray pencil drawings and washes of a sad teal blue. Until the crying leaves us feeling lighter and ready for new adventures, when the end pencil is washed in lots of other warmer colors.
May 3, 2021
3.5
The art and messages, language, in this book are lovely...I just wish the art was more inclusive in its representation of children so more kids could see themselves in this story about the social-emotional topic about sad feelings and crying.
The art and messages, language, in this book are lovely...I just wish the art was more inclusive in its representation of children so more kids could see themselves in this story about the social-emotional topic about sad feelings and crying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews