Turtle Tears

By Megan Albany & Paul Seden

Reviewed by Barbara Braxton

Magabala Books, 2026

“Ever since Pop died, my Nan won’t stop crying.”  Morning, noon and night the tears flow – she even makes her chips soggy at dinnertime…

When Dad suggests she needs a holiday, Nan cries even more as she remembers her honeymoon, the only holiday she had, when she went to Ecuador and saw the turtles. “The turtles there cry like we do,” she says. “Except when they cry, butterflies fly around and drink their tears.”  Which gives Ruby an idea, particularly when Nan explains that the reason the turtles live so long is because they share their tears…

It is impossible for live-in-the-moment little children to understand the deep grief that adults experience when a loved one dies, particularly a lifelong partner, but this is a gentle, heart-lifting story told by Ruby that helps her understand that being sad is a natural emotion and crying is healthy, as is sharing your feelings.  And if the memories make you laugh or give you joy, then that’s okay as it’s all part of the healing process -something which is different for everyone. 

Explaining the grieving process to little ones is difficult and there are often requests for books that can help begin the conversation, and this beautifully illustrated story, based on the true phenomenon of lachryphagy  offers the perfect way to start.

Reproduced with permission The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/