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.

Five starred reviews!
“A gentle delight, simultaneously honoring both the dog dePaola lost and the artist we lost in turn.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This touching story about love, loss, and remembrance in the wake of losing a beloved pet is the final completed book written by beloved creator Tomie dePaola, with art by award-winning illustrator Barbara McClintock.

Where are you, Brontë?
The day you left me, I knew I would miss you.
And I did. Every day, every night.
But then, I knew you were right here, still with me, in my heart forever.

Children’s book legend Tomie dePaola tells the emotional and deeply personal story about overcoming his grief after the loss of his beloved dog, Brönte.