- Format Hard Cover
-
Pages
32pp
- ISBN 9781922613943
- Release date 26 May 2026
- Category
- Resources
Turtle Tears
This heart-warming picture book gently reassures children that it is both natural and healthy for adults and children to cry when they are sad.
Narrated from the voice of a child, Ruby, it centres on her no-nonsense Nan who is grieving for her late husband. She tells the child about the turtles she and Pop saw, while on holiday in South America. They cry tears as humans do, and butterflies drink their tears (factual).
The author uses this magical phenomenon as a metaphor for how important it is for both adults and children to share their grief. Gently ignoring stereotypes, the story ends on a beautifully hopeful note. It also reminds the reader that, even if you or someone you love is very sad, that doesn’t mean you can’t also have moments of joy and chase butterflies!
Praise for Turtle Tears
"This superb and touching book has been created by a writer who understands how effective it can be to say very little, and an illustrator who brings a thoughtfully light emotional tenor to illustrations that are dealing with the always difficult and often distressing matter of human grief."
- Kevin Brophy, CBCA Reading Time
"Lovely soft, water colour illustrations support the family centred story, reflecting the gentleness given through the text."
- Fran Knight, ReadPlus
"I love the way this book openly explores grief and tears..."
- Momo Celebrating Time to Read
- Format Hard Cover
-
Pages
32pp
- ISBN 9781922613943
- Release date 26 May 2026
- Category
- Resources
