"I have watched Clarissa guide her children through loss with honesty, messiness, and magic. This book somehow captures those qualities of grief and hope. With gentleness and wonder, she nurtures readers toward peace."
—Melissa Zaldivar, author of What Cannot Be Lost and host of the Cheer Her On podcast
"Hope Comes to Stay is the kind of compassionate book that enfolds the reader and says, ’I see you.’ There are no cloying cliches or platitudes here, only wise, honest, and hope-filled words alongside richly layered illustrations depicting family life after the death of a parent. They come with a quiet, soothing beauty that invites readers to talk about death, dying, and grief in a concrete and everyday way, accessible for and well-suited to the imagination of young children. A much-needed addition to children’s bookshelves, and a trustworthy resource to give to grieving families."
—Marissa Burt, author of Storybound
"Through stunning illustrations and gentle storytelling, Hope Comes to Stay will bless families navigating the painful road of loss. Clarissa’s encouragement that grief can be a source of courage and bravery, not only sadness, helps children like mine hold a tension that often feels too much to bear."
—Phylicia Masonheimer, blogger author, speaker, and podcast host
"This gem of a book will help children who have lost loved ones sort through the complexities of their experience. Deeply felt and poignantly written, it provides a language for loss and grief, giving young people an understanding of what they’re feeling, and the capacity to give themselves grace, while also pointing gently toward comfort and hope."
—Tim Dalrymple, president and CEO of Christianity Today, and Joyce Koo Dalrymple, author, speaker, and founder of Refuge for Strength
"Hope Comes to Stay is a beautiful, clear, and authentic representation of how grief feels in the moment and beyond. Children need the words in this book to help them make sense of the big feelings grief can bring. In a world where our kids are exposed to big, hard things, often before they’re ready, we need books like this one to walk them through the confusion and chaos."
—Ericka Andersen, author of Reason to Return
"Hope Comes to Stay is a gift for both the grieving child and the grieving parent. It speaks honestly about the enduring nature of loss while offering children the hope of joy and peace to come."
—Amanda Held Opelt, songwriter, speaker, and author of A Hole in the World
