And So It Goes

by Paloma Valdivia, Susan Ouriou (Translation)

In this gentle meditation on the cycle of life, author and illustrator Paloma Valdivia gives us an opportunity to reflect on those who have gone, those who will come, and those of us who are here in this world — for the time being.

The neighbor’s cat, a favorite aunt or the fish in yesterday’s soup have gone — and we may well miss them. At the same time, we celebrate the arrival of a new baby or a litter of playful kittens. It’s a mystery where we come from and where we are going, so why not enjoy ourselves while we can?

Paloma Valdivia’s charming illustrations bring a light touch to this candid contemplation of life and death.

Genres: Picture Books, Death, Childrens, Philosophy, Fiction

36 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2010

About the author

Diseñadora de la Universidad Católica. Egresada 2001 con distinción máxima. Posgraduada en ilustración 2006, EINA, Barcelona, España. Ganadora premio internacional de ilustración BIB PLAQUE 2001, XVIII Bienal de ilustración de Eslovaquia.
Vivió y trabajó en Barcelona, colaborando con medios gráficos chilenos e internacionales de gran difusión (España, México, Singapur, Francia).
Entre sus proyectos realizados destacan: La serie Kiwala conoce el mar (seleccionado para el maletín literario 2008 y nominado a Altazor) y la colección de cuentos infantiles Cuento contigo (CEP-Copec). Es miembro fundador del Colectivo de ilustradores Siete Rayas.
Cabe destacar también que ha comenzado a escribir e ilustrar sus propios libros para niños. El primero de ellos, Los de arriba y los de abajo ha sido publicado por Kalandraka, España 2009 y Es así próximo a publicar por el Fondo de Cultura Eonómica, México 2010.

Reviews

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure I wasn't the only one humming Billy Joel while reading this...

This unusual book is a meditation on birth and death--with the theme that the beginning and ending of life is going on constantly, all around us. Depending upon the age and maturity level of the reader, it may be comforting or confusing.

Veg*n parents note: We see a fish laid out on a plate as an example of one who has died. On one hand, the author acknowledges that the animals we eat were once "someone" and that eating them requires death--concepts preciously few children's books are willing to approach. On the other, it takes the same laissez-faire attitude toward carnism as it does toward aging and natural death--that it's just something that happens, we have no say in it. Indeed, the massive human impact upon the animals we deem as food represents one of the largest examples of preventable early deaths.

[Macsbonilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unas amigas de mi hermana le regalaron este libro como un cariño en este período que perdimos a alguien muy cercano.
Las ilustraciones son muy bonitas. El mensaje de esperanza y aceptación de que las personas se irán y llegarán a nuestras vidas (y que es algo que no podemos controlar) está adaptado para todas las edades.
Un lindo regalo y abrazo en estos días.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well that was sad. A secular picture book about the fact that people come into and leave the world by chance. It's a fact of life. Take it a step further and I think you're at stoicism.

[Day Cuervo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo encontré por casualidad en la Feria del libro de mi ciudad. Hace menos de un año perdimos a un ser querido y en cuestión de meses nos enteramos de la llegada de la más pequeña de la casa. Este libro explica de manera preciosa y sencilla la complejidad de la vida.
“Los que estamos aquí lloramos a los que se fueron, es bonito recordar.
Los que estamos, aquí estamos. Es mejor disfrutar.
Es así. “

[Carol Tilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably a book best shared with younger readers - poetic, honest, reflective. Adults have something to learn from it as well.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

And So It Goes in a picture book that candidly contemplates the mysteries of life and death. It's interestingly illustrated - lots of interesting patterns, colors, and details. It might be a nice read for a child to who has recently dealt with death. But each reader will have to decide if this is a good fit for the child who will be read to. I recommend The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown or even better Heart in a Bottle by Oliver Jeffers. Still a nice addition to a more difficult subject in picture books.

[Valentina Leal · Rating 5 out of 5]

El libro "Es así" es adecuado para hablar temas difíciles. La autora se preocupa por respetar la inteligencia de sus lectores. Por ejemplo cuando los que parten no saben su destino, no depende del viento ni de la edad, la ilustradora con esta palabras da a entender que nunca sabemos cuándo nos vamos a morir, quizás sea de grande o tal vez de niños, pero eso no depende de nosotros. El final es coherente y cautivador.
Los lectores se verán cautivados por las ilustraciones llamativas, con colores brillantes y una composición simple que se hace notar ante sus lectores de forma clara.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, thoughtful text and abstract, puzzling pictures. I don't think a child would particularly take to this one, as it's a bit over their heads. I don't really understand the illustrations; one in particular is a pregnant woman, and inside her belly are a baby, an egg, a zebra (?) and various other animals. Hmmmm.

I did enjoy the words, probably because this book has a rather secular POV that mirrors my own life view. I just wish the illustrations were less odd.

[Luz Aránguiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Recomendado! Este libro invita a los niños a tratar el tema de la muerte. La presenta como parte de ciclo de a vida. Las imágenes tienen colores pasteles, los cuales dan la impresión de algo armónico, no triste. Se utilizan figuras de animales y humanas. Se muestran muchas escenas felices y en compañía. Para tratar un tema difícil, tanto para niños como adultos, logra transmitir que la muerte es un proceso que nos tocará a todos pero no como algo malo.

[Samantta S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro muy bonito; habla sobre la vida; las imágenes tienen movimiento y muestran una visión muy colorida. :)

[Arin · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Reviewed for ACL]
Ouriou’s English translation of Chilean artist Valdivia’s 2010 Spanish-language title Es Así is a meandering meditation on life and death told through concise but evocative statements, just one to two sentences per page. The book’s abstract language and surreal pictures—such as an X-ray–like image of a woman’s pregnant belly containing a variety of animals—may be puzzling for young children. The text largely strives to avoid religious or spiritual concepts and to normalize death (juxtaposing “the neighbor’s cat, Aunt Margarita, the fish in yesterday’s soup”) but occasionally veers into fantastical territory, such as a spread depicting the moment when “those who leave and those who arrive cross paths in the air”—a seemingly improvisational tone change that makes it difficult to ascertain the book’s intended purpose and audience. Depending on the reader’s developmental capacity to unpack complicated ideas, the book’s emphasis on the mystery and unpredictability of life and death could spark either questions and discussion, or confusion and anxiety.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paloma Valdivia's And So It Goes is a thoughtful picture book that gently discusses the concepts of life and death. Throughout the story, Valdivia connects the coming and going, the birth of new life and the passing of others, as a natural part of life. Everything is circular and connected, people who leave us cross paths with those about to be born, and they greet each other warmly with wishes of happiness. Valdivia reminds us that it's a mystery where our lives will lead, so we need to enjoy our time here while we can. Valdivia's charming mixed-media illustrations make great use of vivid colors, patterns, and texture, creating a beautiful and calming background for this heavy discussion. A profoundly beautiful story that helps young children begin to contemplate morality.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

And So It Goes by Paloma Valdivia. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2017. $18. 9781554988693

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL- OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

This short book talks about the cycle of life. How we all leave and how we all arrive. It is the sadness of death and the rejoicing of birth. How it all continues on and we all experience it.

This is a nicely done book, but on a concept I’m not sure many young readers contemplate. It does justice to the ideas it is demonstrating, but I don’t think it will be a book picked up over and over again.

Shay, High School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[JessicaChurch]

For this book, It goes on a talk about how in the world around us people are born and people die on a day to day basis. Also, the book goes on about how things happen in life and that we cope and have to move on because the world around us is still happening whether or not we like it or want it to happen. I don't agree with how we know where we are going in the afterlife. Some of the illustrations throughout the book kinda threw me for a spin. Not making to much sense for an illustration about the paths of lives taken and being born. I wouldn't suggest this book for the young readers in honesty unless they are mature enough to comprehend and cope with the circle of life.

[Francesca Cassinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

En mis años de estudiante de periodismo vi extractos de este libro cuando preparaba un texto sobre ilustradores chilenos.

Recordaba que trataba de la muerte, que su autora era Paloma Valdivia y que en una ilustración mostraban al pescado de la sopa como ejemplo de los que "ya partieron".

No recordaba que el libro no sólo trata de la muerte, sino que también de la vida. No sólo de la partida de algunos, sino que de la llegada de otros. No recordaba al gatito que adorna casi todas las planas. No recordaba que era tan breve. En mi memoria era un libro grueso, ¿de qué otra forma podía hablarse de la muerte a través de ilustraciones?

En fin. Sabía que me gustaría mucho y fue así.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This picture book presents lifecycles secularly as things come and things go.

“And so it goes, just as spring follows winter. Some arrive while others take their leave.”

This picture book emphasizes the chance nature of existence. People — and things — come and go both on purpose and by accident. The meetings are happy, and the partings are sad. No one really knows where people come from or where they go. So, it’s best to enjoy life while given the opportunity.

As an adult, I appreciated the message, but I think it requires too much abstract thought for young readers.

The illustrations were done in watercolor, pencil, ink, and Photoshop and mimic collage.

[Readersaurus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This matter-of-fact book introduces birth and death and that we do not know where we go when we die. "Those of us here are just here. And so we'd best enjoy ourselves." Fine for sharing with young ones who express curiosity but aren't grieving. Whimsical but old-fashioned looking, sharp-angled, and oddly colored illustrations seem a mismatch for the topic. The text is jaunty and informative but the overall package left me cold.

[David Curilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un cuento con ilustraciones muy bonitas creados por la talentosa ilustradora Paloma Valdivia.
Abordar el tema de la muerte es una conversación difícil de explicar a los niños, quienes generalmente suelen ver con ojos de superhéroes eternos a su entorno adulto de familares, madre, padre, abuelit@s etc... este cuento en sus páginas abre un espacio de armonia, belleza y magia para generar una conversación con los niños sobre el ciclo de la vida: el nacimiento y la muerte.

[Violeta Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paloma Valdivia en forma magistral y con una sencillez maravillosa explora el mundo del duelo, sin explicaciones intrincadas y con un lenguaje preciso y amigable, es una reflexión tanto para adultos como para niños pequeños.
La belleza de su gráfica, forma, color, la constituyen única, brillante acogedora, como oda del paso del tiempo, en cada uno de nosotros(as). Es un libro de estética perfecta sin anhelos que perennidad . Debe estar en la biblioteca de las educadoras y educadores.

[Thomas Helean · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first glance, the book is sort of ambiguous with the subject matter but the illustrations are abstract and stunning. There doesn't seem to be much of a story within the book, only an overarching lesson about the cycle of life and grieving. This book may be hard for students to comprehend and other than the illustrations, not much of this book seems to keep me interested.

[Rhianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was an interesting read... It's a tactful way to explain death to children in very non-specific terms. I love the illustration but there's definitely room for awkwardness from inquisitive youngsters about death and dying.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to rate this book much higher. I really did. I liked it. It was meditative and contemplative and deep. That's why it gets two stars, because there's no way a child will understand the message. And I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very gentle book about life and death. Doesn't dwell on a particular incident and just sort of gently walks through lots of possibilities. Not really God-dwelling either for more secular looks at life ending.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has very stylish illustrations, but I think they have more appeal for adults than for chidlren. The text of the book, likewise is very abstract and deals with complex feelings in a complex way. I would have trouble finding the right audience for this book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good "circle of life" book for children, although I think the reflections on life/death could be lost on the audience it's intended for--but it's sweet for adults. Beautifully illustrated, too.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice story and lovely illustrations.

[Sue Mosher · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are cute and the ideas are comforting for a child who has lost a loved one, but I can't agree that we don't know where we came from or where we're going.

[Mollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really gentle book tackling the topic of death.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, *I* like it, but I can't imagine sharing it with a kid. It's so abstract that you'd spend more time explaining "the book is about dying" than sharing a good conversation

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really like the illustration style. Coping book, in my opinion. Very elegant writing.