Why do the people we love sometimes die?
Why did they have to leave us, and can they come back?
Young Andy wants to know. He's sad and confused because his dad has died. So on a quiet day in the springtime, Andy goes for a walk in the woods behind his house to think about what has happened.
In the woods, Andy meets Clyde -- a talking caterpillar with stripes of black and yellow and white. Clyde the caterpillar helps Andy talk about his dad ... about how much he misses him and about how much he loved him. Talking to Clyde helps Andy feel safer and stronger, and a little less sad.
In this tender and heartwarming book by mother and artist Kris Fenton Siwek, Andy learns new ways to think about loss and he discovers that when we are our saddest, new friends and old memories can make us feel better. He also learns that caterpillars become butterflies and that people, too, have souls that can live in our hearts forever.
Caterpillars Can't Talk provides parents, grandparents, teachers and counselors with a new and gentle way to talk about what we feel when someone we love passes away. It is a simple, sweet, heartfelt story that opens conversations and helps entire families heal.
This acclaimed book, first written in 1982 and finally brought to publication in 2020, is ideal for children ages 4 through 12, and has been embraced by teens and adults as well. Whether we're 6 or 60, we all grieve and we all hurt and we all wonder if we'll ever stop feeling sad when someone we love dies.
A book to read as a family, in the classroom and during counseling.
Praise for Caterpillars Can't Talk:
"If you or your children are grappling with the death of someone you love, this book is a sweet and comforting salve for your pain."
-- Jennifer Johnson, LCPC, Grief Counselor
"A beautiful, poignant story that speaks the truth about love and loss. Whether you are 6 or 60, you will find true comfort in these pages."
-- Erika L. Jones, Career Development Speaker, Facilitator and Coach
"On each page of this book, numerous opportunities unfold for us to visit and share our own journeys through grief. This book is pure gold for children and families in the wake of loss."
-- LeAnn Lawler, Retired Elementary School Teacher
"Families suffering tremendous heartache and loss are searching for loving support, as well as healing resources. Caterpillars Can't Talk provides both."
-- Penny Tate, Mental Health Specialist/Advocate, Educator and Parent
"Caterpillars Can't Talk is a beautiful resource for all ages to help process grief and answer the many questions that come with death and loss."
-- Diane Siri, LCPC, Founder of Iris Counseling Center and Co-Founder of The Relationship Center
"A book for children that will provide comfort and hope while teaching the simple, profound truth that, in death, 'Life is changed, not ended.' A must-have book for families struggling with grief."
-- Stephanie Mondello, Retired High School World Religions Teacher
"Caterpillars Can't Talk is a powerful reminder that the people we've lost will live in our hearts and memories forever."
-- Amy Donlea, Teacher and Mother of Two
"What Kris has captured in her story is compassion toward a child's broken heart, a simple wisdom in processing loss, hope for what lies ahead and the beautiful joy of being transformed by God. Caterpillars Can't Talk is a wonderful resource for children and adults alike in dealing with the loss of a loved one."
-- Mike Siri, Pastor and Co-Founder of The Relationship Center
Author Biography:
Kris Fenton Siwek was a wife, mother of two, fine artist and author. After a dear family friend died suddenly, Kris struggled to find words to comfort his 6-year-old son and help him process his dad's death. She wrote and illustrated a book titled What You Are Never Stops and dreamed of publishing the book to help children around the world come to terms with the death of a close loved one. Sadly, before she could publish the book, Kris herself passed away at the young age of 42, leaving behind two teenaged children who were burdened by the same loss she so eloquently wrote about in her book. After years of struggling to find purpose in her grief, Kris's daughter, Stacey, finally brought the book to life and Caterpillars Can't Talk: A Children's Story about Love Loss and Transformation was lovingly published. Caterpillars Can't Talk was brought to publication by Stacey Siwek Sassine as a tribute to her mother, Kris, who had lived every day of her life with purpose and passion. Stacey lives in Cary, Illinois, with her husband and three teenaged daughters. After years of struggling to find purpose surrounding the death of her own mother - the author and illustrator of this beautiful book - Stacey founded One Million Monarchs, a not-for-profit organization with a mission to bring comfort, safety and peace to teenagers and their families who are grieving the loss of a parent, sibling or close friend. With the vision that "We Grow Through What We Go Through," Stacey's goal is to help teens stay on track toward their personal goals after a profound grief experience. After all, What You Are Never Stops.
