Dear Mario
This heartfelt children’s book about loss helps young readers navigate their grief with love, remembrance, and healing.
For many of us, our first experience with death and dying involves a beloved pet. Writing a letter to that pet can help us process our feelings. That is what you’ll discover in Dear Mario.
In this story of a young boy facing grief for the first time, Peter writes a letter to Mario, the family Chihuahua, because he needs to tell him a few final things. Like how much he loved rubbing Mario’s belly and watching him run in the park. And how amazing it was that Mario knew whenever Peter didn’t feel well.
But most of all, Peter wants Mario to know that he loves him and misses him and will never forget him.
With Dear Mario, young readers can process their grief and cherish the love they shared. This beautifully illustrated picture book about animal friendship is a touching choice for families looking for a way for kids to memorialize a beloved pet —or just a comforting story about coping with loss and saying goodbye.
Reviews
“Whether your own Mario is a big shaggy one or a little bundle of affection, this touching tale helps kids and grown-ups come to terms with the loss of their own Mario. Someone once said a dog’s life lasts just a few years of ours, but we’re here for all of theirs. Peter and Mario show us that even after we are parted, the love never leaves us."
—Patt Morrison, author, broadcaster, dog devotee
The Backstory
Mario was my first child. I took him everywhere. He sat under my desk at work, and my colleagues cuddled him a lot. I took him to restaurants, hidden in a bag that looked like a purse. When a dog walked by on the street, my 'purse' sometimes barked and surprised people. Mario flew with me on airplanes. Once he got out of his bag while I sat napping and ran down the aisle! (I awoke to hear people asking, "Is that a dog?!")
Mario moved with me to San Francisco when I got married. He adjusted to the birth of my son, Miles, and showed great patience in sharing me with a toddler. Miles had an endless fascination with Mario. He would collapse into fits of giggles when Mario licked him. Mario loved going for walks with us in Golden Gate Park and snuggling when the fog rolled in.
We are so lucky to have known Mario. The twelve years we had with him were not enough, but he lives on in our hearts. We hope Mario is having a great time playing somewhere with all the Chihuahuas who have gone before him.