The Other Side of the Garden

“Recio and Lawrence’s gently understated, lyrical text reminds readers that loved ones live on in the hearts of those they’ve touched, while McCarthy’s richly saturated illustrations capture both the joy of a child exploring nature and the quiet sorrow of a family learning to live with loss. The creators approach a difficult topic with tenderness and understanding, offering comfort and connection… A touching reminder that love continues to bloom, long after goodbyes are said.” – Kirkus Reviews“A moving, sensitive portrayal of a child processing and coming to terms with grief.” – Booklist

Sili Recio has been calling herself a writer since she won a trophy in a poetry contest in the sixth grade. She is an Afro-Dominican storyteller, disruptor, and Mami. Sili earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rollins College. She entered the world of social media via her blog in 2010 and has never looked back. Sili lives in Florida with her daughter, the Frog Princess, and tries not to pass on her love of café con leche to her child. She is failing.

Elena Djome Lawrence is an artist and violinist who excels in both her schoolwork and creative projects. Her literary debut picture book The Other Side of the Garden was inspired by a story she shared with her mother when she was nine years old. Her imaginative telling of her own grief serves as the foundation of the book, offering inspiration to those navigating their own journeys of loss.

Brianna McCarthy is a mixed media visual communicator working and living in Trinidad and Tobago. She is a self-taught artist and aims to create a new discourse examining issues of beauty, stereotypes, and representation as well as documenting the process—particularly poignant in an ever smaller, digitally-connected world. Her form takes shape through masking and performance art, fabric collage, traditional media, and installation pieces.

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