Death is one of the most difficult moments that can be experienced. Whether with people or pets, loss marks a turning point in which moving forward is not always easy. However, it is important to treasure the good moments, memories and learnings.
That is why today from ‘Peludos’ we want to talk to you about a story that helps the little ones in the house in these difficult times and to change the approach we have in society towards loss. Becoming Estrellita (from the Apuleyo publishing house), written by journalist Perla Crespo-Izaguirre, addresses a topic as necessary as the taboo of death.
A heartwarming children’s book that strikes a chord and offers a unique perspective on love, loss, and eternal connection. The book, which stands out for its simple prose, has illustrations by the young French artist Lou Jego and the creativity of the Venezuelan designer Carol Rivero. This work, which, according to the author herself, “is a story that arose after the loss of her little dog Arturo and her husband’s youngest daughter,” seeks to provide parents and teachers with a tool to introduce the concept of death to children. children.
Becoming Estrellita tells the story of a man who, to help his daughter Julie face the death of her dog Arturo, immerses himself in the memories of his childhood in search of tools that provide him with comfort. On this trip down memory lane, he rediscovers a family secret that becomes a valuable lesson. As Perla tells us, “love never dies, it only transforms us and ascends to the sky to illuminate us in the form of little stars.”
The magic of this narrative unfolds through the experiences of the protagonist, an astronomer who shares a fascination with the stars with his daughter, inspired by the memory of his ingenious mother’s stories. The plot becomes a beautiful metaphor that helps parents and teachers address with children the topic of loss and the permanence of affections beyond death.
The journalist explains to us that after writing the book, she dedicated herself to researching childhood grief, finding that specialists agree that validating children’s feelings is important for the development of assertive management of their emotions. “Showing death as part of life does not mean invalidating feelings. It means talking about it naturally and giving the child space to express their sadness, anger or frustration at it.”
Questions related to death often cause great discomfort in adults. “And of course, how do you explain to someone who is just starting to live that everything has an expiration date?” says Perla Crespo-Izaguirre. Movies like Bambi, Coco, The Lion King, Inside Out, and How to Train Your Dragon tackle death and painful loss, leaving a mark on all of us. These films help us understand that these are universal experiences that people go through, regardless of age.
In this sense, Crespo-Izaguirre highlights that Becoming a Little Star allows the memory of deceased loved ones to be kept alive and helps to present family history through the metaphor of the stars in the night sky. “It is a perfect story to talk to children about relatives who have passed away and thus help them understand that the existence of a person transcends the purely physical, because as the movie ‘Coco’ teaches, there are two deaths: physical and when they forget you, and this is what my book aims for: to be used as a way to remember those for whom we may be here.
“Animal mourning is taboo. Crying because your dog died, or you had to put your cat to sleep, is punished by those who do not understand that love for animals makes us more human,” says the author, who emphasizes in that his story also opens the door for the natural expression of grief over the loss of our furry family members.
The author of Becoming an Little Star raises the need to normalize the pain caused by the death of a pet. “Pet ownership is something prehistoric, and not a fashion as some want to make it out to be. Luckily, recent sociocultural and consciousness changes have made it more acceptable to have extended family structures that allow us to see our pets as members of our families. In fact, statistics indicate that around 90% of people now consider their animals family. And it is thanks to this that we see that in countries like the United Kingdom and Colombia the laws have changed, extending animal protection and considering them sentient beings. So, if they are sentient beings, if they are part of our family, why should we not feel sadness when they die?
Becoming Little Star is presented as a deeply moving work that goes beyond borders, offering a unique perspective on life, death and eternity. This book is indispensable for children, parents, and educators alike who want to sensitively explore such universal topics as loss and enduring love. Its message transcends generations and offers an enriching reflection on the meaning of the human-animal bond and the importance of remembering those who are no longer physically with us. Without a doubt, a valuable gift to share with your children on Sant Jordi.
