Hope Comes to Stay: A Gentle Story about Grief, Loss, and the Love That Lasts

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.

Author: Clarissa Moll
Publisher: Harvest Kids
Published: 05/06/2025
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 10.70h x 8.60w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780736989534
Audience: Ages 4-8

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.