Perched in Our Heart: A Family Read-Aloud Book about Loss and Healing

"Perched in our Heart" is a read-aloud book designed to support those who have experienced a familial loss. In this story, Johnny and Justin notice a Mama Hummingbird building a nest in their backyard. Mom, Dad and Grandpa join in their excitement as they watch the Mama build a nest and wait for her eggs to hatch. As the story unfolds, a baby hummingbird is born, reminding the boys of their little sister, who had recently died. Since the loss of their baby sister, the boys miss her but they don't talk about it. Each family member struggles to talk about their loss. Like many families, it is hard to share their loss with each other and find common ways to mourn together.

It is hoped that this story will open conversations for moms, dads, and family members to come together and find ways to talk openly with each other. This book is intended to be read together as a family by using the story of a Mama Hummingbird to learn about loss. Parents, grief centers, hospice centers, church groups, educators, counselors, and therapists may use this book to serve as a vehicle to open up conversations for their families to talk about their unspoken grief and begin to mourn together.