A searchable database of books recommended by the CCBC.
More information about CCBC Choices book recommendations
Where Are You, Bronte?
CCBC Review:
An opening wordless spread shows Tomie dePaola holding a framed photo of his dog while an empty dog bed sits on the floor nearby. The titular question (“Where Are You, Brontë?”) is repeated throughout a chronology of Brontë’s life with Tomie, from his puppy days to energetic adulthood, through his blindness as an older dog and then finally his death. “The day you left me” page is followed by a dozen more where Tomie is visibly deflated with grief and then buoyed by the realization that his beloved pet would be in his heart forever. Billed as the last book Tomie dePaola wrote before his 2020 death, McClintock’s illustrations deftly blend his style with her own, making artful use of white space and a varied page format. The loss-of-a-pet pantheon of picture books receives a heartfelt addition in this personal memorial. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Barbara McClintock
CCBC Age Recommendation: 3-7
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Death and Dying
Grief and Loss
Hope and Healing
Pets
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 48
ISBN: 9781534418509
CCBC Location: Picture Book, dePaola