The Owl and the Ladybug

The Owl and the Ladybug is a gentle, beautifully illustrated story created to help children begin making sense of grief, sadness, or loss in a way that feels safe, calm, and reassuring. When loss enters a child's world, feelings often arrive before words-sadness, confusion, and a quiet heaviness that can be hard to explain. Through the tender friendship of Lila, a thoughtful little ladybug, and Kole, a kind and steady owl, young readers are welcomed into a peaceful forest where emotions are honored, questions are allowed, and no one is asked to face grief alone.

As Lila begins to feel a heaviness she doesn't fully understand, Kole offers companionship rather than answers. Their quiet conversations show children that grief is a natural response to love-and that it does not need to be rushed, fixed, or faced alone. The story models presence, listening, and emotional safety, offering children permission to feel exactly what they feel.

After the story concludes, the book continues with a collection of child-friendly activities designed to help young readers explore their own thoughts and emotions. These pages gently encourage children to pause, notice what's happening inside, and share their feelings in simple, age-appropriate ways. With open-ended prompts and space for reflection, children can engage at their own pace, either independently or alongside a trusted adult.

These activities help children:

• Put feelings into words when emotions feel confusing

• Understand that sadness and love can exist together

• Feel reassured that their emotions are normal and welcome

• Build emotional awareness in a calm, supportive way

Created for children ages 4-10, this book can be read independently or shared together, making it a meaningful resource for parents, caregivers, educators, and counselors supporting children through loss, change, or big emotions.

Michael Reed is an author, speaker, and certified grief coach whose work focuses on grief, healing, and resilience. After losing his wife and two daughters in a tragic wildfire in 2016, he dedicated his life to helping others navigate loss with honesty and compassion. He is also the author of The Million Stages of Grief and The Million Stages of Healing (coming April 1, 2026). The Owl and the Ladybug extends that work to children, offering a gentle way to begin conversations that adults often struggle to start.

This is not a book about moving on.
It is a book about learning how to feel, remember, and live-together.