The Cardinal's Gift: A True Story of Finding Hope in Grief

One of the most difficult things in life is managing grief and healing after experiencing a loss. In this beautifully illustrated and lovingly written book, the author draws on her personal and professional experience working through grief to take the reader on a journey from loss to healing. For those of us that know grief, the characters are very relatable and the message is a powerful one of comfort and hope. This is not only a great book to help a child work through grief, but one that is helpful to adults as well. It is charming and poignant. A must-have for any school library, grief counselor, or every person who needs the spirit of healing.

Grief after death is such an incredibly hard thing to go through. So many confusing emotions! This book is very necessary!! It shows all the various states of grief in normal every day situations that kids can understand and normalizes all the feelings they may feel. I loved how the author used a cardinal that kept visiting to get the girl up and going to school each day. It gave her hope and reminded her to keep on living. Absolutely gorgeous book!! Love it!

A beautifully written and heartfelt story that has significance regardless of age - but so timely when thousands of children have lost one or both of their parents or grandparents to COVID. I believe if Carole’s book could be read to them or by them, it would help these lost souls find peace in a struggle they can not truly understand and find hope in knowing memories will not be lost, but will remain in their hearts and thoughts forever.

This book gives the child permission to grieve and helps them to understand it’s a normal process. It also emphasizes that our loved one will always remain with us forever in our memories and in our hearts. A comforting story that brings a tear to my eye especially for any child who has experienced a great loss. This book will help them find comfort in their memories, family, friends, and nature’s beautiful gifts.

I absolutely loved this book! The writing and illustrations were excellent and brought tears to my eyes. There has been so much loss the last two years and in my heart I know this story will hit home for many. A dear friend of mine has a grandson in 3rd grade who recently lost his dad. This book would be the perfect gift for him and his mom!

This was a wonderful book to read to my adopted son whose biological had passed away. Highly recommend

Carole is doing such important work here by sharing this true story alongside Marlo’s gorgeous illustrations. This book will prompt endless reflections and conversations with those who are grieving, young and old. But most importantly, while the world is experiencing a time of overwhelming collective grief, may it remind us of our never ending connection with nature. May we find even more comfort in the god winks we come across every day.

This story is a reminder to all about the visits from cardinals. I grew up knowing this story about their visits being messages to us from those who have passed on. A comfort to me when my own parents died. This book is such a soothing balm for children of all ages. Each will find a meaningful message to help them navigate this difficult time. I’m happy that Carole has shared this.

This children's story is written to help children cope with the loss of a loved one.For a little girl named Rachel life gets hard when her dad dies. She struggles to get up and go to school. One day her fathers favourite bird starts tapping on her bedroom window and it's not long before this bird starts to help Rachel in lots of ways.The idea of this is really lovely and it has bright and colourful illustrations to enjoy as you read this.I think it covers an important subject in a very delicate way so it's definitely worth a read if this is what you are looking for.