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 the child's no-nonsense Nan who is grieving for her late husband, the child's Pop. 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.

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.

Nan cries into her tea and her meals, making her chips soggy. To soothe her, Ruby encourages her Nan to tell her the story of the turtles. Some healing takes place, and her food is a little less soggy. Their favourite thing to do now is to look for butterflies.