Architecture of the Heart

Architecture of the Heart, a moving tale written and illustrated by Tina Schneider, captures the difficult process of death, mourning, and processing grief in the gentlest of ways. The very first line is “The day his dad left the sun turned black” and that “his heart flew from his chest in a hopeless search for why” (p. 2). The unnamed boy deals with his grief by letting his heart fly away for a while, but, when it comes back, the pain is still there. Then “the heart set to work building walls to protect it” (p. 10), encapsulating that pain and shoving it far away. The walls grow, a war is waged, and the boy still feels grief. When the soldiers in this war begin to chip away at the walls, they find “a little life in his heart” which reaches up “like a hungry weed, gasping for sunshine” (p. 18). Thus some healing begins – with a truly beautiful ending that readers will connect with whether or not they have experienced grief themselves.

The illustrations are full of texture, serene colour, and movement. The metaphors within the story are aptly brought to life with visuals that use animals, flowers, and more to connect with readers of all ages. The harsh concept of death is visually demonstrated in such a way that allows for connection with the story without it feeling scary or sad.

Tina Schneider’s Architecture of the Heart is an excellent addition to any library, young or old. Although younger readers may have some difficulty connecting to the deep themes of the story, the beauty of the illustrations and the prospect of a battle are sure to engage attention. Older readers, or ones who have undergone grief themselves, will connect with this tale in a deep and beautiful way.