When Grey Came to Stay

“Amber Kuipers’ “Grey” is a universal presence, one that all of us encounter when we experience loss or change. She has been able to capture the process of befriending Grey with care, sensitivity, and simplicity, a gift to all of us, young and old, that emanates from personal experience and awareness. It’s in my top 5 Grief books I’d recommend to clients and friends.”

“Supporting a child through the death of someone close to them, is one of the most difficult challenges anyone can face. Having a way to help a child understand what they are feeling, is a must. Amber’s book, When Grey Came to Stay, does exactly that. Julie is a young child who suddenly loses her Dad in a work accident. She is overcome with grief, who in her mind is Grey, a cloud. A cloud that does not go away. A cloud that is heavy and hovers over her wherever she goes.

This book explains the difficult feelings of grieving in a beautiful way, in a way that a child can understand, in a way that a child can relate to, in a way that will help a child know that they are not alone.

With beautiful illustrations displaying the emotions of what Julie sees and feels, this book will surely help a child to understand and cope with the pain of grieving. It will help them know that it’s okay to talk about that constant sadness that hovers over them. It will help them to know that this feeling of that cloud “Grey,” will change over time. This book will help them to find ways to cope with that heaviness and over time know how to live with “Grey.”

I have been teaching for over 15 years and I wish this book was part of my collection a long time ago already! I will surely add it to my class library for my students who are trying to overcome the loss of someone close to them.”

“When Grey Came to Stay is a powerful social story that normalizes and validates the ongoing, non-linear struggle that many children have with grief. By personifying and normalizing the emotions surrounding grief, kids learn they are not alone! Stories like this can work to encourage honest discussion of mental and emotional pain, provide children vocabulary to describe their feelings, and reduce any stigma associated with reaching out for help. Ms. Kuipers has provided a valuable tool that will help many children.”

“The weight and heaviness of Grey is so tangible. We are invited to accompany Julie through the changing nature of her relationship with Grey. Starting with the overwhelming nature of his uninvited presence, we then see Julie’s brave efforts to battle and understand Grey and herself. Then, as Grey’s presence is diminishing, we see Julie’s profound decision to celebrate her father instead of just missing him...Julie’s relationship with Grey is transformed over time with love, help and understanding.”