What Lily Planted: A story for little hearts

When Barkley the parrot flies away to the Rainbow Bridge, Lily learns that the love they shared can still grow in a beautiful garden of forget-me-nots. A gentle, watercolor story about friendship, loss, and remembering. A heartfelt story for little hearts learning about love, loss, and remembering. Lily's best friend is Barkley, a cheerful Senegal parrot who fills every morning with his loud "Good morning, friends!" and dances with Sadie Girl the dog, Victory the tuxedo cat, and Brucey the flop-eared bunny. When Barkley suddenly crosses the Rainbow Bridge, Lily's world grows quiet and sad. With the gentle support of her animal friends, her mom, and wise Owlbert, Lily discovers a beautiful way to keep Barkley's memory alive - by planting a special garden. Told in soft, soothing language with gorgeous, full-color watercolor illustrations, this tender picture book helps young children (ages 3-8) understand that it's okay to feel sad when we lose a pet, and that love never truly goes away. Perfect for families navigating pet loss, this story offers comfort, hope, and a gentle reminder that memories can bloom again. Includes a special "Note for Grown-Ups" with simple, practical ways to support a grieving child.