Rosalie Lightning
Published on 25. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-951491-40-6 (ISBN)
Description
A new updated paperback edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic memoir about a father dealing with the sudden death of his young daughter.
Tom Hart's two-year-old daughter Rosalie was a bundle of energy: always running, exploring, and fascinated by the world around her.
But one night, when Tom went to check on her in her crib, he found her silent, still, and unbreathing. Without a sign that anything had been wrong, she had passed away in her sleep.
This touching and beautiful graphic novel memoir tells the heartbreaking story of the untimely death of the author's young daughter, and the solace that Hart finds in nature, philosophy, literature, and art. Rosalie Lightning is a graphic masterpiece chronicling a father's undying love, and a tribute to much-missed baby girl.
This new high quality paperback edition of a beloved classic features a new foreword from bestselling author Lucy Knisley, along with a letter from Tom Hart giving a view into the role the book has played in his grief process, and how he has found a way forward into life.
Tom Hart's two-year-old daughter Rosalie was a bundle of energy: always running, exploring, and fascinated by the world around her.
But one night, when Tom went to check on her in her crib, he found her silent, still, and unbreathing. Without a sign that anything had been wrong, she had passed away in her sleep.
This touching and beautiful graphic novel memoir tells the heartbreaking story of the untimely death of the author's young daughter, and the solace that Hart finds in nature, philosophy, literature, and art. Rosalie Lightning is a graphic masterpiece chronicling a father's undying love, and a tribute to much-missed baby girl.
This new high quality paperback edition of a beloved classic features a new foreword from bestselling author Lucy Knisley, along with a letter from Tom Hart giving a view into the role the book has played in his grief process, and how he has found a way forward into life.
Reviews / Votes
Reviews of the hardcover edition:"A masterpiece-and a luminous tribute to a brief, beautiful life."-(starred review) Publishers Weekly"A gift to every reader and to anyone who has grieved." -(starred review) Library Journal
"A searing read."-The Boston Globe
"Profoundly affecting. . . . A bracing, deeply saddening journey into death and loss whose affirmative resolution, 'joy breaking through the storm clouds,' is nothing but hard won." -Kirkus Reviews "One of the most important graphic novels of our time. A masterpiece." -Tillie Walden, author of On a Sunbeam "Rosalie Lightning is more than a book. It's a breathing testament to life and love. Tom Hart has gifted us a guidebook for grief that pushes through the darkness and pain to the most beautiful and transcendent. This book is necessary for the universe!" -Craig Thompson, author of the award-winning graphic memoir Blankets
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 191 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
635 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-951491-40-6 (9781951491406)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Tom Hart is a critically acclaimed Eisner-nominated cartoonist and the Executive Director of The Sequential Artists Workshop in Gainesville, Florida. He is the creator of Daddy Lightning series of graphic novels and books. The Collected Hutch Owen was nominated for best graphic novel in 2000 and has received a Xeric Grant. Tom has taught sequential art at the University of Florida and at NYC's School of Visual Arts.