Review Detail

Empty and Me is about a girl who has lost her mother and now empty is always how she feels and is always with her. The emptiness is illustrated with a ghostly blob that is always by her side and often shown in between her and others. The illustrations are gray and subdued to convey the emotional emptiness the little girl has. There are some positive changes like finding a stray kitten, that help her regain some color in her life. This book handles grief sensitively for young readers who need help processing the new empty in their lives. I can see this being a great book to use for therapists and counselors to help their young charges express the heaviness and the hole left behind by losing a loved one. The book has side-by-side English and Persian text. Overall, this is a lovely book that handles the reality of grief very well. It would not be for the casual young reader but for one who needs help and is read under the supervision of a grown-up who can help navigate a conversation about the book and the feelings it portrays.