When the Wind Changes - by Sadie Gardere (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A lyrical, beautifully illustrated picture book that uses the journey of migrating geese to help children navigate change, big feelings, and uncertainty with reassurance, resilience, and love.

A young child faces a moment of uncertainty and is gently guided by a loving parent to look to the geese overhead, moving together through wind, distance, and change.

Through poetic, rhyming text and soft, watercolor illustrations, the story draws on the natural rhythms of migration to offer comfort, perspective, and quiet reassurance. As the geese adjust, navigate changing winds, and continue forward, children are reminded that they, too, can move through difficult moments with strength and support.

With a letter to grownups and additional backmatter, When the Wind Changes offers families a meaningful way to talk about big feelings, transitions, and resilience--grounded in nature, connection, and love.

About the Author

Sadie Gardere is a clinician, researcher, author, and educator on the medical staff at Stanford, with a focus on emotional healing and the parent-child bond. She began her career in pediatric oncology at UCSF and now teaches at the Hoffman Institute, where she works with individuals, couples, and families. Her work lives at the intersection of science and the soul. She lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area.

R.A. Smith is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Sonoma County, California. Her illustration work includes the picture books Fun in the Mud, Little Loon Finds His Voice, Our Friend Moon, and Our Friend Earth. She has also illustrated adult nonfiction titles including Embrace the Work, Love Your Career, Reflect and Reset, and Simple Acts of Care. R.A. is passionate about bringing stories to life through pictures and thoughtful design. Her work is rooted in traditional drawing and painting, combined with vector graphics. She collaborates with local entrepreneurs and authors, as well as independent publishers.

Anastasia Khmelevska is an illustrator based in Lviv, Ukraine, specializing in children's books. Working across both traditional watercolor and digital media, her art blends softness, imagination, and everyday inspiration to create scenes filled with warmth and wonder. Her work is driven by a love of storytelling and a belief in art's ability to bring magic to life for young audiences.