Picture Book Review: Where are You Bronte?
Where Are You, Brontë? is a heartfelt and beautifully crafted picture book that explores love, loss, and remembering through the story of a beloved dog. As Tomie dePaola’s final completed work, the book carries his personal significance, reflecting his own experience of grieving his dog, Brontë. With gentle writing and simple illustrations by Barbara McClintock, this story provides young readers with a tender, accessible way to process loss.
Publisher provided a ARC for review, however all thoughts and opinions our own. This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission for items purchased.
At the heart of Where Are You, Brontë? is the relationship between the author and Brontë, a dog who quickly becomes his closest friend. They spend their days together, and their days are filled with warmth, playfulness, and quiet companionship. Brontë is more than just a pet. He is a true friend, always present, offering unconditional love and comfort.
However, as all pet owners eventually experience, there comes a time when man’s best friend passes away. DePaola expresses his deep sadness in a way that feels real but still relatable to both children and adults. The pain of missing a close companion is portrayed with a quiet, honest tone. The book doesn’t shy away from the reality of grief but presents it in a way that feels gentle and reassuring.
One of the most touching moments in the story comes when dePaola realizes that although Brontë is gone, he is not truly lost. The author sketches an image of his dog, ultimately placing a framed picture beside his bed. This act of remembrance reminds young readers that memories of loved ones can be remembered in a way that brings comfort.
Barbara McClintock’s illustrations in Where Are You, Brontë? add another layer of depth to the story. Her delicate, expressive artwork captures the warmth of Brontë’s presence and the sorrow of his absence. The images beautifully depict the contrast between joyful moments of companionship and the quiet loneliness that follows loss.
Where Are You, Brontë? is a gentle picture book that provides an age-appropriate way for children to understand grief. Ultimately the book is acknowledges that while losing a pet is painful, the love shared never truly disappears. Instead, it lives on in memories, and in pictures beside your bed.
This Simon & Schuster picture book is a wonderful choice for children who have experienced the loss of a pet or any loved one. With its heartfelt storytelling and beautiful illustrations, Where Are You, Brontë? is a touching farewell from one of the most beloved children’s book creators of all time, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, wisdom, and love.
