Cipariso (Cyparissus)

by Marta Sanmamed, Sonja Wimmer (Illustrations)

Cipariso, referencing Greek mythology from which the Cypress tree received its name and became a symbol of mourning, intertwines four different stories of four children who lose their loved animals. It is a picture book that will help children assimilate the loss of a pet and overcome their grief, learning to deal with other losses in life.

In Cipariso there is a little dog who gets lost in a park, a sleeping rabbit, a horse up in the clouds, and a bird setting off on a long, long journey.

In Cipariso there is Irene playing jump rope, George looking up at the sky, Molly who has bad dreams, and Danny carrying a backpack full of T-shirts.

In Cipariso there are four winds and a tree—the tallest tree in the whole city—and it’s crying…

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2015

About the author

Marta es hortelana, bloguera, podcaster, escritora y artista plástica exponiendo dentro y fuera de España.

Su obra plástica más reciente pertenece al movimiento upcycling ART (suprareciclado) con sus Giardinos knotyknot© creados a partir de plástico reutilizado.

Acaba de publicar (2019), junto a David Esteban Cubero, “Magela en la Isla de Plástico” la primera novela de la serie “Ay Magela” para reflexionar sobre la influencia del ser humano en el medio ambiente y sobre la importancia de la amistad, de la lealtad y de la tolerancia.

Autora de "Aquí yace…o no", de la Editorial Oberón/Anaya (2012), de "La Libreta de Magela"(2005) y de los álbumes ilustrados: "Cipariso", Medalla de Oro Ippy Awards al mejor álbum ilustrado en español (Nueva York 2015), Medalla de Plata Living Now Books Awards
Mención de Honor International Latino Book Awards en la categoría Mejor Álbum Ilustrado de Ficción en español y "Diez lágrimas y un abrazo"(2017), ambos de la editorial Cuento de Luz.

Su obra literaria se ha traducido a más de cinco idiomas.

Reviews

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surreal but touching and affective stories of children coping with the loss of beloved pets. A comforting book for anyone who has lost a non-human companion.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the things we tell children about death, as if not telling them the truth could somehow shield them from reality. In this picture book from Spain, four different children suffer losses, and then they each try to do the things they think will make their animal friends return to them. One girl takes her mother's admonition to be strong literally, and she begins exercising to strengthen herself, while another girl tries to keep herself from falling asleep since she associates it with something bad. Although the book contains a lot of text, accompanied by soft, imaginative illustrations, the words are carefully chosen, and intended to provide comfort while also being honest. I liked how the stories of these losses are nested within the frame of the story of Cyparissus as well as being reminded that my own animal friends will live forever in my memory. Those losses can be ever so hard to bear, and even now I think of those who have left me, most recently Midnight and Tyger Tyger. What a hole in my world they have made with their departures!

[Panterzop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite!

[Candance Doerr-Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about death and losing a beloved pet, be it bird, horse, rabbit, or dog. Cyparissus the tree helps the children to mourn and honor their loved ones through collective grief.

Helpful introduction to death rather than euphemisms of “going to the sky” or “running awa

Dreamlike drawings.

New: WSRA book sale

[Gustavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi cuento favorito de la infancia <3

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to see someone who appreciates this myth. An inspired idea to make Cyparissus guardian of kids who have lost pets.