Molly's Rosebush by Janice Cohn

Illustrated by Gail Owens. 32 p., Whitman, 1994.

Molly recalls her mother's miscarriage a few months earlier. Her parents had gently explained to her that the baby they were looking forward to was not going to be born, because the baby was not strong enough to survive. Molly had worried about her mom and had wondered why miscarriage happens and whether the family would ever have a baby. Her dad had reassured her that no matter what happened, she and her parents would love and care for each other. She was helped to understand the experience both by playing with her doll and through special attention from her grandma, who explains that in all of nature, not all babies get to be born. Molly and her grandma had ordered a rose bush for her mother. Molly recalls that although occasionally a bud does not bloom, and this makes her sad, most of the roses do bloom, and will continue to bloom. An extensive introduction for parents is included. This story offers empathy, validation, and a way through the grief of a miscarriage.

Ages 4-8
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American