Hope Comes to Stay - by Clarissa Moll (Hardcover)

About the Book

This poignant picture book helps children (ages 4 to 8) understand the complexities of grief, death, and dying in an honest, hopeful way.

Book Synopsis

This poignant picture book helps children (ages 4 to 8) understand the complexities of grief, death, and dying in an honest, hopeful way.

"That morning, men had buried Papa's body in the little town cemetery. He was hardly gone, but Lela missed him already."

In a quaint coastal town in Maine, a young girl and her family grapple with the death of a loved one. With the help of a surprising new friend, Lela walks through different seasons of grief. Along the way, she learns meaningful lessons about loss and how to find hope and joy amid the sadness.

Tenderly written and illustrated, this heartwarming, fictional tale equips children to cope with the confusing and conflicting emotions that come with the death of a loved one. For parents and caregivers, this book helps them initiate important family discussions about grief and loss.

Review Quotes

"Hope Comes to Stay is a beautiful, clear, and authentic representation of how grief feels in the moment and beyond. Children need the words in this book to help them make sense of the big feelings grief can bring. In a world where our kids are exposed to big, hard things, often before they're ready, we need books like this one to walk them through the confusion and chaos."
--Ericka Andersen, author of Reason to Return

"Hope Comes to Stay is a gift for both the grieving child and the grieving parent. It speaks honestly about the enduring nature of loss while offering children the hope of joy and peace to come."
--Amanda Held Opelt, songwriter, speaker, and author of A Hole in the World

"Hope Comes to Stay is the kind of compassionate book that enfolds the reader and says, 'I see you.' There are no cloying cliches or platitudes here, only wise, honest, and hope-filled words alongside richly layered illustrations depicting family life after the death of a parent. They come with a quiet, soothing beauty that invites readers to talk about death, dying, and grief in a concrete and everyday way, accessible for and well-suited to the imagination of young children. A much-needed addition to children's bookshelves, and a trustworthy resource to give to grieving families."
--Marissa Burt, author of Storybound

"I have watched Clarissa guide her children through loss with honesty, messiness, and magic. This book somehow captures those qualities of grief and hope. With gentleness and wonder, she nurtures readers toward peace."
--Melissa Zaldivar, author of What Cannot Be Lost and host of the Cheer Her On podcast

"This gem of a book will help children who have lost loved ones sort through the complexities of their experience. Deeply felt and poignantly written, it provides a language for loss and grief, giving young people an understanding of what they're feeling, and the capacity to give themselves grace, while also pointing gently toward comfort and hope."
--Tim Dalrymple, president and CEO of Christianity Today, and Joyce Koo Dalrymple, author, speaker, and founder of Refuge for Strength

"Through stunning illustrations and gentle storytelling, Hope Comes to Stay will bless families navigating the painful road of loss. Clarissa's encouragement that grief can be a source of courage and bravery, not only sadness, helps children like mine hold a tension that often feels too much to bear."
--Phylicia Masonheimer, blogger author, speaker, and podcast host

About the Author

Clarissa Moll is the author of the bestseller Beyond the Darkness, a guide to help Christians thrive despite loss. Clarissa's husband, Rob, unexpectedly died in 2019 in a hiking accident.

Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, RELEVANT, Modern Loss, Grief Digest, and more. She is the cohost of Christianity Today's Surprised by Grief podcast and a frequent guest on other podcasts and radio shows.

Clarissa leads a joyful life with her and Rob's four children and their rescue pups, calling both New England and the Pacific Northwest home.

Gretchen Ellen Powers was always carrying crayons in her dalmatian-print purse as a child. Now her art supplies may have upgraded, but her love of drawing has remained the same. Through painting, she loves being able to share her dreams with those around her. She has illustrated The Boxcar Children Fully Illustrated Edition, Summer's Call, Remembering Rosalind Franklin, and Hope Comes to Stay. She lives happily in Michigan in the farmhouse where she grew up. She invites you to visit her online at gretchenellenpowers.com.