Little Jellybean, nicknamed by her family, experiences an exciting world of sound and sensations in her mother’s womb, encountering the voices and personalities of her loving family. Just when she has nearly outgrown her mother’s belly, a surprising visitor guides her to a new home. There, Jellybean is given a mission to help her family find meaning in their loss and ultimately join her in the presence of God.

A beautiful story to help families heal after the loss of a baby.

PRAISE FOR JELLYBEAN

“I recently held a funeral and burial for a family that suffered a miscarriage, in fact the second one in a row! … from my perspective Jellybean is one of the finest parabolic presentations on the grieving process of losing a baby, at any stage, that I have ever encountered. The sensitive interactions of the characters provide a broad perspective and profound insight into the delicate relationships among parents, siblings and the baby in all stages of development and transition. The read provides space for tears, laughter, closure and hope. The assurance that the baby is safe and in the Eternal Presence of God provides a modicum of comfort in the midst of great pain and loss.”
Friar Carmen Scuderi, OFM, a Franciscan friar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province

"Jellybean is a book that I wish did not have to exist but am so glad that it does. The story of little Jellybean is shared with great dignity and love. Written in verse and whimsically illustrated, the warmth of the story will make it a charming read-aloud for families, helping parents and caregivers form words to discuss this painful topic with their children. I would be grateful to have this book in my arsenal as a resource to gift or recommend, offering a small measure of support as a family grieves the loss of their precious baby."
Katherine Bogner, teacher, DRE, and blogger at looktohimandberadiant.com, author of Through the Year with Jesus: Gospel Readings and Reflections for Children and Through the Year with Mary: Ponder and Pray Together with Children 

“A lovely story about a little baby in her mother’s womb who is so eager to see life but discovers that God has something different in His plan. Highly recommended, especially for families with children who are grieving.”
Regina Doman, award-winning author of Angel in the Waters and The Shadow of the Bear

“Though heart-rendering and deeply moving, Theoni's lyrical journey through the devastation of losing a baby is surprisingly hopeful, showing the grace and comfort poured out by the Blessed Mother on grieving families. As a mother of two children lost in miscarriage, this subject is near and dear to my heart. The littlest saints in heaven are very real – and as shown in these beautiful words and illustrations, they are never far away.”
Mary Harrell, producer and host at Mater Dei Radio

“Losing a child and sibling in the womb is one of the greatest sorrows in life. Jellybean is a powerful story of hope amidst the darkness of child loss, a story that will allow parents and siblings to find healing by seeing death through the eyes of Heaven.”
Patrick O'Hearn, author of Parents of the Saints, The Grief of Dads, Go and Fear Nothing: The Story of Our Lady of Champion, and Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints and Today's Parents

“Jellybean is a masterpiece of love. The voice of the voiceless is related from conception through her short journey to heaven in the arms of Mary. Theoni compassionately shares her journey toward healing in hopes that it will help all who know the loss of a child.”
Christine Rossi, host at Radio Maria USA

“Jellybean is such a beautiful love story between a family and the innocent child growing within her mother's womb. This little book is a gift to any family who has known Little Love and has had to say goodbye too soon.”
Kelly Breaux, founder of Red Bird Ministries, winner of the 2021 OSV Innovation Challenge

“There's something beautiful about how personal this is; the story comes from the mind and heart of someone whose experience has formed deep reflection and insight on a subject that most people find very difficult to speak about in such consoling, yet also realistic terms.”
Fr. Peregrine Fletcher, a Norbertine at St. Michael’s Abbey, Orange County, CA, and author/illustrator of My Name is Philomena (TAN Books) and The Snail and the King

“The beauty of Jellybean is that it uses simple rhyme to convey such a profound message. Theoni and Bastian have truly transformed their own painful experience into something that is sure to help ease the ache of others going through this type of loss.”
Eileen Tully, blogger at Present in the pain, podcaster at eileentully.com, grief retreat leader, and mother of twin daughters lost at birth

“Heartrending in its honesty and depiction of earthly and spiritual realities – with all the joy, grief, and ultimately hope that families feel in welcoming and then relinquishing their precious baby from the mother’s womb to the arms of the Father. We’ve shared these losses with our children, and this is a valuable tool for many, many grieving families.”
Carolyn Astfalk, author, mother of loss, CatholicMom.com columnist, and Catholic Writers Guild Vice President

READER RESPONSES:

“How does Theoni capture in words AND rhyme what is so hard to express? It really speaks to a mother's heart.”
- Pauline, mother of a baby lost a few days after birth

"After I stopped crying, I thought of friends and relatives who would do well with this book. Jellybean will speak to those who have miscarried at any stage and those who have lost full term babies, infants, and even young children. We need help explaining and remembering God’s hand in the matter.”
Liz, mother of a miscarried baby

“I read this book and broke down in tears. I had an early miscarriage, and this was such a beautiful way to envision that loss.”
Kelly, mother of a miscarried baby

“It brought tears to my eyes.”
Marisa, mother of 3

“This story is absolutely beautiful.”
Kalena, mother of a miscarried baby

“I love that you have written this book and, by doing so, are hopefully making it more common for people to speak about it.”
Kiley, mother of a miscarried baby