Author Feature with Kristy Boike

Author of Rise Up Little Bluebirds, Kristy Boike gave us an inside look at her book and the meaning behind it.

The book is a sweet tale of grief and community, told through the eyes of a bluebird family who are searching for ways to keep the memory of their dear Grandma Bluebird alive.

Why was publishing this book important to you?
Seeing the way my children were affected by the loss of my mom was such a heartbreaking experience for me. Wanting a way to help steer them through the big emotions that arise in grief, I wrote this book as a message of hope dedicated to them. I hope it can resonate with children and adults alike to help reinforce that although we might be separated from the ones we care for, love is the unending connection that binds us all.

What, if anything, did you feel like was lacking in other books in your genre?
From my interactions with grieving families and individuals through my family’s “Rudolph’s Bluebird Houses” building workshops and community events, the most challenging task for people we connected with was how to have healthy conversations about loss with children in their lives. It was important for me to identify and normalize the many aspects of grief to help aid those difficult discussions.

What's something you learned about yourself through writing?
I learned that as heartbreaking as it was to lose my mom, it highlighted a passion within me to help others not feel so alone in their grief. Sometimes big moments in life require us to pivot and I’m so humbled to be able to continue making a difference in her memory by providing comfort and support to others during such a challenging time. As isolating as grief and loss can be, we’re a little less alone when we help each other through it.

What do you hope readers walk away thinking after they’ve read your book?
I hope this lighthearted book provides a special opportunity for parents, professionals, and educators to help children see grief through another lens. A lens of hope.

What are some books you’ve read recently that have inspired you?
I recently read “A man called Ove” and absolutely loved how it makes you think in different ways. It was rich with themes about youth and aging, and loss and how our differences can change a community for the better; it presents these issues in a way that opens discussion and helps us see our blind spots which is so appealing to me when looking for books to immerse myself in.

To purchase your own copy of Rise Up Little Bluebirds, order at http://Riseuplittlebluebirds.com.

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