What keeps Heartstring Productions beating is the ability to share Marcia's experiences in comforting & entertaining books, and specifically grief support & children's books. From the adorable stories of Trudy Matoody to the unique & very important books on grief support for children, we hope you & your children can find some soul soothing in the Children's Books from Marcia McGee Ashford & Heartstring Productions. Browse children's books below & click on the links to the topics or books you'd like to see.
Children's Support Books
​Mommy is sick. What do you do? offers little ones ideas about how to help their Mommy when she doesn't feel. This book is written with fun and love by a cancer survivor and sends important messages to small children. When Mommy is sick, do nice things for her to help her feel better. You could read her a story, make her hot chocolate, say I love you, let her sleep, or better yet take a nap with her. Hugs are so healing!
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Children know the things Mommy does for them when they are sick. She gives them top of the head kisses, warm snuggles, and nasty tasting medicine that will make them feel better soon. Maybe Mommy will also sing a sweet song and tuck them in for a nice long snooze.
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What about Daddy? What is the best thing you can do to help him when he is sick? Well, he may pull the covers up over his head and want everyone to just leave him alone until he feels better.
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Or...he might growl at you and scare you away! Oh no!
Giggle...Giggle
This book is a gentle teaching tool for those learning to live alongside this condition, created with compassion by the daughter of an Alzheimer’s patient. In this touching story of love and loss, Marcia Ashford helps even the youngest children to understand and cope with the mysterious disease that is Alzheimer's. Sergio Drumond's illustrations beautifully capture the essence of a loving, multi-generational family going through difficult changes.
Trudy loves her Grandma Ray. Together they take walks, go to movies, and have picnics. Grandma Ray even taught Trudy all about the importance of good manners. All Trudy’s friends love spending time with Grandma Ray and hearing her stories.
Recently, however, Grandma Ray seems different. She no longer smiles when Trudy walks in the room. She doesn't talk much, and when she does, she sounds angry. And the worst part is that sometimes, she doesn’t seem to remember who Trudy is.
Trudy is very upset by this change and just wants her grandmother back.
What could be wrong with her? Trudy’s parents decide to have a meeting with Trudy and her friends Bully Bullfrog, Kitty Kate, Randy Raven, and the Putterflies. All of them love Grandma Ray and want to know what is wrong with her.
Some Days Are Better Than Others
Grief Support for Children
NEW RELEASE
We all know some days are better than others but how do you explain that to a child? What if the bad day is a really bad day? Some Days Are Better Than Others is a grief support book written for young children and their families. Inside are words of encouragement and understanding with beautiful illustrations.
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Author Marcia Ashford is a believer in book and music support. Sitting together, reading a book, listening to music, and hugs might brighten those sad days a little. Just being together is so special.
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Illustrator Kayla Haven is a passionate artist who hopes to ignite the imagination and creativity of young minds. It is her belief that during times of hardship, art can be a powerful tool to heal and uplift. She hopes to captivate young readers and bring these stories to life.
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There is an keepsake section for you and your little ones at the end of the book. It is a safe, imaginative place to write, draw, color, and create whatever might comfort you and yours...a special place for a celebration of life.
Blessings!
Take a peek at how a children's book starts to come to life! And for budding artists, we encourage you to sketch along. See how the Christmas children's book Torrie's Song: The First Christmas Carol, began to be sketched.
