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Sylvester's Letter

By Matthew Burgess
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3.75 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Sylvester's Letter by Matthew Burgess is a heartfelt picture book about a boy named Sylvester who crafts a special letter to his beloved Great Grandma, or G.G., whom he dearly misses. Determined to deliver it through an imaginative journey involving parachutists, a jungle train, and river creatures, Sylvester's adventure shines a light on love, humour, and creativity. The vivid, bold illustrations bring to life this touching story about how cherished memories and imagination keep loved ones connected beyond life and death.
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Format: Hardback
$3499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for young children and families seeking a gently creative story that addresses loss with warmth and imagination. Perfect for readers who appreciate colourful artwork and stories about love, memory, and adventure.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Sylvester imaginatively creates a special letter full of loving memories and shared moments for his favorite person, his beloved grandmother, even though she is gone.

  • Cover reveal on social media. Instagram and newsletter promotion to Enchanted Lion’s significant social media following (40k on Instagram, 10k newsletter list).
  • Advance review mailing to PW, Kirkus, SLJ, NYT, WSJ, etc.
  • Outreach to bloggers and reviewers.
  • Special interest: joy amid grief, SEL, explaining death to kids.
  • Promotion focused on network of independent bookstores (special mailing + outreach).

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the superb, creative duo behind Drawing on Walls, A Story of Keith Haring comes this heartfelt story about the loss of a beloved grandparent that yet centres enthusiasm, adventure, and an ebullient creativity rarely seen in books about loss.

Some letters can't be delivered in the usual way... but Sylvester has a plan: if it's couriered by some energetic parachutists, a train speeding through the jungle, and a river packed with piranhas and pink dolphins, his letter is sure to reach its final destination.

What makes this letter so important? Well, Sylvester wrote it for his beloved G.G. (Greatest Grandma), whom he's missing, and it's filled with happy memories and loads of love. G.G. may be gone, but she's still Sylvester's favourite person—the most pickle-loving and fun person he knows!

This is a gorgeously illustrated picture book (evincing special, bold colours) about how love, humour, and imagination connect us to each other across life and death, and serve to keep alive the spirit of those who are no longer with us.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781592703807

Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 12 October 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Enchanted Lion Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Josh Cochran

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 252.0mm

Height: 281.0mm

Weight: 556g

Pages: 48

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children's Picture Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Matthew Burgess

About the Author

Matthew Burgess is a full-time professor at Brooklyn College and a part-time teaching artist in New York City public schools. Matthew is also the author of Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. Cummings, Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring, and Make Meatballs Sing: The Life & Art of Corita Kent. He lives with his husband in Brooklyn and Berlin.
Originally from California and Taiwan, Josh Cochran is an illustrator and muralist living in Brooklyn. Drawing on Walls, also written by Matthew Burgess, was his picture book debut. He has received a Grammy nomination for album art, and his installations and murals can be seen at places like the New York Transit Museum. He teaches at the School of Visual Arts in NYC.

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