Have You Seen Marie?

“. . . both the author and the illustrator share their wisdom and empathy.”

Picture books are not just for children.

Author Sandra Cisneros, collaborating with illustrator Ester Hernandez, proves this in their portrayal of this moving tale about 53-year-old Sandra. She is alone and aimless since her mother’s passing, and feeling like an orphan, she is wallowing in a state of depression.

Her friend, Rosalind arrives from Tacoma, Washington, to visit her in San Antonio, Texas. Roz brings her beloved feline, Marie, and before both women realize it, Marie disappears.

Roz and Sandra comb the neighborhood searching for the cat, putting up flyers and asking everyone they see if they have spotted the black and white cat. Finding Marie becomes a priority to the women, presenting Sandra with new purpose.

As we travel the streets and byways of San Antonio, we are introduced to several unusual characters, all brilliantly described and colorfully illustrated, showing an eclectic group of folks and different habitats.

As night descends, Sanda and Roz split up to separately search other areas. Sandra heads for the river, overwhelmed with grief.

This story offers insight to those who are grieving over a beloved family member, friend, or pet, to show that through loss, the love of the departed is always with us. Their main message is to supply comfort and understanding to the one left behind.

Ms. Cisneros penned this book during a difficult period in her life after she lost her own mother and experienced a situation similar to what she wrote. Death is so final and difficult to understand, and both the author and the illustrator share their wisdom and empathy in Have You Seen Marie?