Remembering Crystal

by Sebastian Loth

A beautifully written and illustrated book that introduces a big subject to little ones   Crystal had lived in the garden for many years. She was growing old. Zelda was just starting out in life. They were best friends. They read books together. They took trips together. And they talked about everything. But one day Crystal was not in the garden. She had died. In this gentle story, children learn, with Zelda, that true friendship is a gift that doesn’t die.

Genres: Picture Books, Death, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Grief

64 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

آخه مگه میشه اینهمه ناز راجع به سوگ حرف بزنه که حتی تو این سن هم بیاد قلبتو ناز کنه بره؟

اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۴

[Arghavan-紫荆 · Rating 4 out of 5]

براش خوندم و وقتی تموم شد دیدم چشماش دارن بسته میشن...🥹

[Samin Anvari · Rating 4 out of 5]

نمیدونم چی بنویسم درباره‌ش
اما میتونم بگم یک نقطه ای در قلبم رو لمس کرد که کمتر کتابی تا به حال اینکارو باهام کرده.
اشک ریختم باهاش .
یک ستاره نمیدونم چرا دارم کم میکنم.
شاید چون دوست ندارم هیچ کودکی همچین غمی رو تجربه کنه.

[Nikta Khoraman · Rating 5 out of 5]

می‌تونم بارها بخونم و باز هم مثل دفعه‌ی اول، در قلبم غم یولانته را احساس کنم و اشک بریزم.
یولانته که یک غازه با کریسولای لاک پشت دوست صمیمی هستند. یک روز پاییزی، کریسولا دیگه نیست. یولانته تا آسمون‌ها دنبالش میگرده، اما پیداش نمی‌کنه. حتی سکوت میکنه تا شاید صدای دوستش رو بشنوه.
روایتی که از مرگ، دوستی و دلتتگی شده بسیار شاعرانه‌‌ست.
دلم می‌خواست میتونستم نقاشی‌های کتاب رو اینجا بذارم و حتی براتون بخونم.

گروه سنی طبق گفته‌ی کتاب: ۸+

[Rana Heshmati · Rating 5 out of 5]

«و تو برای همیشه در قلبم خواهی ماند...»

[*yasmin* · Rating 3 out of 5]

برای آشنا کردن کودکان با مفهوم مرگ یه چیزایی کم داره اما برای کودکانی که کسی یا حیوان خونگی‌ای رو از دست دادن میتونه تسلابخش باشه.
البته صفحه آخرش که یولانته خواب میبینه پیش کریسولا است برای بچه‌ها درکش یکم ممکنه سخت باشه و ممکنه فکر کنن کسی که میمیره برمیگرده.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and touching...for small children who have lost a beloved person or pet.

[Kowsar Bagheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

سه‌بار خوندمش و هر سه‌بار گریه کردم.
درسته که تصویرهاش از فرط بامزه‌بودن واقعاً خنده‌دارن ولی محتواش به‌قدری غم‌انگیزه که از توصیفش عاجزم. این‌همه غم برای بچه‌ها زیادی نیست؟
قطعاً به بزرگ‌سال‌ها پیشنهادش می‌دم ولی فکر نمی‌کنم به بچه‌ای هدیه بدمش.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a book to introduce the concept of death to my 3 year old. My main goals: written to his level, clear that death means a permanent separation, and introduces the abstract concept in a non-scary way. I wanted to avoid religion and any after-death rites (burials, cemeteries, etc).

I was apparently asking for a lot. It took a long time to find a book that suited me. I suppose death and how we deal with it is so personal, it makes sense that it would take many false starts to find the one that resonated.

Anyway, Remembering Crystal is nearly perfect for our family needs. It depicts a friendship between Zelda the goose and Crystal the turtle. One day when Zelda comes to play, Crystal is gone and the other geese explain that she was very old and it was her time to die. Zelda can't believe this and, convinced Crystal is hiding, searches the world for her. This becomes a touching tribute to Crystal, as Crystal's memory permeates Zelda's search:

"She searched on the highest mountain...(Crystal would like it up here, Zelda thought)."

I say nearly perfect, because at the very end Zelda accepts Crystal's death but knows she will always carry her memory. The accompanying picture is of Zelda and Crystal hugging, which makes my 3 year old think that Crystal came back so every time we have to explain that it's a picture in Zelda's head and that Crystal is gone for good. I wish the author had put that hug in a thought bubble or something, but other than that glitch the book is exactly what we needed.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zelda is a young goose who adores her friend Crystal who is an aging turtle. Despite their age difference, the two of them enjoy many of the same things. They love reading books, swimming together, taking trips and talking about life. But one day when Zelda goes to the garden, Crystal is not there. The other geese try to explain that she was old and is gone, but Zelda doesn’t believe them. She searches for Crystal and when she can’t find her begins to remember what Crystal taught her about art and the world. After some grieving, Zelda realizes that Crystal will be with her always.

A warm, sweet book that speaks to the impact of losing a friend, pet or a grandparent. Though short sentences, Loth slowly exposes readers to the special friendship of the two characters. It is this lingering pace and tone that makes the book work so well as you have time to think and appreciate while reading. Loth also keeps the illustrations simple. They are pleasingly presented on paper that is marked, creased and aged. Beautifully and gently presented.

Books on death can verge on the saccharine at times. This book manages to be sweet and fresh thanks in part to the humor of the book and the illustrations. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

[Heather Vieiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer-I work for the publisher! But I only add picture books that I consider the best of the best from NorthSouth. So I really love it, I will review it.

Remembering Crystal is a unique little book that deals with death in a very sensitive way. Zelda's confusion over Crystal's passing will be very familiar to anyone who has tried to explain losing someone and the concept of keeping their memory alive inside your heart. The art is really fantastic-Sebastian Loth uses some really neat paper techniques which give this book an unusual look. He's a really interesting author/illustrator and there will be a new book featuring Zelda out in Spring of 2012.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally picked this up for my son because of the adorable illustrations, but he couldn't pay attention. So I read it. It is a neat and sympathetic way to prevent death to a child. Zelda the goose is friends with Crystal the Turtle. Zelda is very young, while Crystal is much older. One day, Crystal is not there anymore and Zelda searches everywhere for her, but cannot find her. She has passed away, but Zelda remembers all the great things that Crystal taught her and all the fun they had together. Recommended for ages 3-7, 4 stars.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the simplicity of this book. It provided a positive message for remembering someone who died. The book begins with Zelda and Crystal Zelda having a great time. Then Crystal dies and Zelda looks for her thinking she really isn't dead but then she goes home and gets her blanket and knows that she will always remember Crystal and that Crystal will be wherever Zelda goes because Crystal will be in her heart. I think the last two pages really provide the positive message and it's a great way for parents or guardians to talk about when someone, like a friend, dies.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet and heartfelt story about losing a friend. Zelda and crystal are great friends, but Crystal is growing old. One day when Zelda can't find Crystal, she refuses to believe that Crystal is really gone and sets out to find her. She searches high and low before she comes to realize that though Crystal is truly gone, she will always have her love and memory to cherish. The illustrations are simple, yet expressive and perfectly complement the story.

[Nazanin Mvfg · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful instructive story for children...

[Yasaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

نمیدونم چجوری انقدر ملموس بود..

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, simple children's book. Every time I'm putting it back on the shelf at the library, I have to take it out and look at it again and fight back tears.

Why would that be a favorite? It's poignant. For me, it strikes a chord. The innocence of Zelda trying to find her friend and come to terms with life without her breaks my heart. I am in love with the illustrations.

Is it the best book out there for kids on grief? Not necessarily. But it is one that is meaningful to me.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zelda the duck and Crystal the turtle were such good friends and did so many fun things together. When an aging Crystal died, Zelda refused to believe she was gone. She searched everywhere for Crystal and finally found her in her own heart. The simple short sentences and quiet illustrations that show great depth of feeling are sure to help children come to an understanding of death and loss. Great for ages 3 and up.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story about a duck who goes looking for his turtle friend, though others have explained to him that his friend has died. Brings a tear to my eye, as the duck remembers the things his friend had taught him, and as he accepts the reality of the situation.

Very simply written and illustrated. I think it's beautiful and poignant.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal had lived in the garden for many years. She was growing old. Zelda was just starting out in life. They were best friends. They read books together. They took trips together. And they talked about everything. But one day Crystal was not in the garden. She had died. In this gentle story, children learn, with Zelda, that true friendship is a gift that doesn’t die

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

SAD BOOK ABOUT GRIEF! Zelda the duck deals with the death of her BFF, Crystal the Turtle. The cuddly drawings and tender little messages about Crystal and how great she was save this book from being horribly depressing. It almost made me cry, though...

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this as a book that can be used to talk to a child dealing with a death. The fact that it has no solution and is so open ended leaves it up to the child (or person they read with) how far to take the discussion (religion etc.)

[Susan]

This is a simple, sweet picture book about losing a loved one, especially those who "had a long and happy life." Just very straightforward language about missing them and knowing they're always with you in your memory. Recommended for small kids who've lost a relative, especially.

[Ana LibrariAna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about death told in a very gentle way, which can appeal, and be understandable, to all age groups. It is a story about an old turtle named Crystal and a young platypus named Zelda, and their true friendship- a gift that doesn't die.

[jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustration and book design make this tender and familiar enough story to any.

[Maija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the illustrations. Probably, because they remind me of Dunrea. I liked that it wasabout feelings and all of the emotions one goes through when they have lost a loved one.

[B.A. Malisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a simple story that help explains death and grief to a very young child. This story is secular. It contains few words and simple sentences, but they have a big impact.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensitive take on death of an older friend, handled on a level that is not too complex.

[Astiazh · Rating 5 out of 5]

اگر قصد آشنایی بچه هاتون با مفهوم مرگ را دارید انتخاب خیلی خوبیه.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story for young children focusing on friendship and introducing the subject of death and grieving. Zelda is a young goose who finds one day that her best friend Crystal, an older turtle, is no longer there in the garden where Zelda normally finds her. The other geese try to explain what has happened to Crystal but Zelda, not really comprehending what has happened, needs to make her own personal journey to understanding where her friend has gone and what that means ultimately.

Sweet, simple illustrations and unfussy text kept to just a couple of lines per page, presented in a format of a page of text opposite an illustrated page. A gentle and ultimately comforting introduction to a complex issue.