When the Red Bird Visits - by Stephanie Donelko (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

When Ash spots a bright red cardinal, he's reminded of his beloved grandma and all the love they still share. When the Red Bird Visits follows a tender conversation between a mother and her son as they navigate big feelings about love, loss, and remembering.

Through everyday moments, warm memories, and one very special red bird, this gentle picture book helps children understand that the people we love stay with us in our hearts, even after goodbye. It offers language and images that feel safe, comforting, and accessible for young readers processing grief.

Inspired by real conversations about explaining death and loss to little ones, When the Red Bird Visits is a valuable resource for:

-Parents and caregivers supporting a grieving child

-Teachers and school counselors leading classroom or small-group discussions

-Therapists and grief professionals looking for a developmentally appropriate tool

Recognizing that loss touches every family, the story also invites adults to share their own feelings and memories, opening the door to supportive, healing conversations. Whether you're guiding a child through sadness or carrying your own grief, this book offers a shared space for connection and hope-reminding readers of all ages that love lasts forever.

"When the Red Bird Visits gives children, caregivers and clinical therapists the opportunity to process and feel grief and loss while being developmentally appropriate. It offers insight into the small moments of remembering the impact others have on our lives while also fostering connection and presence in the here-and-now. This is a wonderful resource for the grief and loss community that highlights the rawness of grief and the power of connection." -Dr. Rachel Brejcha, LPC, Cultivating Connections Counseling.