WHERE ARE YOU, BRONTË?

Simon & Schuster 2025
Written by Tomie dePaola
Illustrated by Barbara McClintock

A tender tribute, the late Tomie dePaola’s Are You, Brontë? is brought to life by Barbara McClintock, whose illustrations vividly complement dePaola’s heartfelt text. Written in memory of dePaola’s beloved dog, Brontë, the book centers on the feeling of profound loss after his companion’s death. The repeated refrain, “Where Are You, Brontë?” frames the story and becomes a touching echo of dePaola’s grief, expressing the weight of his sorrow and longing.

The picture book unfolds in a series of short vignettes capturing key moments from dePaola’s life with Brontë. From the memorable day Brontë first arrived, flying to dePaola “on an airplane from Chicago,” to their simple, quiet days spent together—walking, watching the sunrise and enjoying the ordinary joys of companionship—the text beautifully conveys the depth of their bond. We see Brontë’s gradual aging, which elicits dePaola’s concern. Despite his eventual blindness, Brontë continues to navigate his world with resilience, still finding his beds, water bowl and favorite toy.

When Brontë passes away, the text subtly acknowledges the loss with a simple, yet profound line: “The day you left me, I knew I would miss you.” McClintock poignantly illustrates dePaola’s grief through his gazing at an empty dog bed, Brontë’s pink collar and a favorite toy. Yet, the story closes on a note of hope and love, as dePaola finds comfort in a rainbow reminding him that Brontë is “still with me, in my heart forever.”

McClintock’s illustrations are a masterful tribute to dePaola’s legacy, blending her own style with his iconic use of clean lines and vibrant palettes. Notably, she divides the story into panels similar to those dePaola often used, accelerating the narrative’s pace while capturing the beauty of each moment. In one panel, a celebratory feast features some of dePaola’s beloved characters, reinforcing the idea that Where Are You, Brontë? is not only a tribute to a pet, but also McClintock’s reverent homage to dePaola’s life and artistry.—
Bookpage

*A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD Selection
*A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2025

*Five Starred Reviews
"McClintock’s illustrations are a masterful tribute to dePaola’s legacy, blending her own style with his iconic use of clean lines and vibrant palettes...Where Are You, Bronte? is not only a tribute to a pet, but also McClintock’s reverent homage to dePaola’s life and artistry."
—Bookpage, STARRED REVIEW

"In sequences of sensitive pairings, McClintock does full justice to the late dePaola’s last completed manuscript—a ­poignant ode to his Airedale terrier Brontë—with scenes of a cotton-bearded old man and his woolly, flop-eared comrade sharing 12-plus years of affectionate companionship....this is a fond twin memorial both to a dog and to a beloved writer and artist."
—School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"Alongside images that cleverly summon beats from dePaola’s works, simple words about difficult emotions offer layers of comfort for readers wondering about the whereabouts of a late loved one. It’s a moving ode to Brontë and to dePaola—the creator who loved him."
—Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"A gentle delight, simultaneously honoring both the dog dePaola lost and the artist we lost in turn."
—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"Charmingly illustrated ... Weeper ... A worthy, sensitive resource for a family coping with the loss of a pet ... A reminder of the joys of companionship, even if the aftermath is bittersweet."
—The New York Times