We have all experienced some kind of loss
Written to encourage conversation about a lost loved one, or to keep the memory of them alive, this ground-breaking book aims to help validate feelings of grief, celebrate the beauty that can be found in loss, and inspire readers to be open to look for special signs.
What Readers Are Saying
"There is always a need for children's books on loss and grieving after the death of someone they love. This book presents an interesting concept to build a connection between a child and a grandparent they have never met. As adults we struggle to understand death - why it happens and how we deal with it. For children it is particularly difficult as they need to re-grieve the death at each developmental stage they go through. I particularly love the refrain: "Sometimes we get hints, little glimmers from the heart from people that we loved even though we are apart." It is a ‘pearl of comfort’ children can easily memorise and call on whenever they need to, and we as adults can use it to get us through our tough times of grief as well."
HEDIE L. EPP BA, FPNP, CThan, D-ABMDI Death Educator, Grief Consultant,
Beyond Grief Consulting Services
"The death of a loved one is such a tender topic to try to explain to a child and the absence of a loved one can be confusing and even frightening. This lovely story helps adults find just the right words to comfort and reassure children and encourages us all to be open to those small "God winks" that bridge fond memories and life without the ones we miss."
DEBRA MAYER MA - Early Childhood Consultant, Golden Jubilee Medal Recipient, Mother of Three & Baba of Three
"Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers is a touching and comforting children’s story about remembering loved ones who have passed away. Through a gentle conversation between a parent and child, the book explains how small signs in everyday life - like clovers, butterflies, or a rustle in the wind - can remind us that the people we love are always with us in spirit. The story is written in a warm, poetic style that makes a difficult topic easy for children to understand. Its message about love, memory, and family connections is both uplifting and reassuring."
MICHELLE ROZZI - Daycare Provider, Mother of Five & Grandma of Four
"What a joyful way to express the idea of grief and loss to a young mind. Every family has their own Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers when talking about people that have passed, and how to keep their spirit alive and close to our hearts."
EMILY WEIGELT RM - Mother of One
"Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers is a beautiful and heartfelt reminder that the people we love never truly leave us. This touching story gently explores the idea that our loved ones can still reach us through the small signs that appear in everyday life - the wind, the sky, a four-leaf clover, butterflies, special numbers, flickering lights, creaky doors, or even a coin found at just the right moment.
While this book will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced the loss of someone they love, it is also a wonderful way to help children understand grief in a comforting and hopeful way. It reassures readers that it is okay to believe that those who have passed are still with us in their own way - guiding us, loving us, and watching over us. One of the most meaningful messages in this book is that these signs don’t need a scientific explanation to matter. When we notice something that reminds us of the person we miss, they are with us in that moment - laughing with us, crying with us, or simply sitting quietly beside us. Those small reminders can fill our cup, heal our hearts, and bring comfort when we need it most.
There is no easy way to describe the pain of losing my dad. Some days my heart still feels empty. Yet moments of connection continue to appear in the most unexpected ways. My own children, who never had the chance to meet their grandfather, say hello to him every day when we see the special numbers that seem to follow us wherever we go. In those moments, it feels like he is still part of our lives.
Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers has a way of stopping you in your tracks and reminding you that even in the middle of loss, there is still goodness, love, and connection all around us. It’s a gentle, comforting book that encourages readers of all ages to notice the signs, hold onto love, and believe that those we miss are never truly far away."
Who should read this book?
While kids young and old will appreciate the message and meaning of this book, it's a must-read for families with young children who have experienced loss. It seeks to normalize conversations about death, and aims to spark memory sharing to keep the qualities and spirit of a loved one present in everyday life.
About the Author
Cheryl Waldner is a mom and writer who really misses her dad (who died in 2016). She advocates for open and vulnerable conversations about grief and its unpredictable nature.
She wrote Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers for her son Tovi, who never got to meet three of his four grandparents. She and her partner’s goal has always been to keep the memory of their lost loved ones alive, and to have regular conversations about them and the loving signs they send us. She realized that this book’s message would help not only her own children but others to navigate grief, loss, and the reminders of loved ones that can feel both confusing and comforting.
She lives north of Winnipeg, Manitoba with her family and loves growing flowers and baking bread.
About the Illustrator
Edelma Miranda is a creative spirit with roots in Fine Arts (Drawing Major) and Interior Design, shaping ideas and stories through her work as a freelance graphic designer.
A passionate foodie with more than two decades in the food industry, she finds beauty in both art and flavour.
Today, her greatest inspiration and most meaningful masterpiece is motherhood.
Reviews
More love for Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers
"Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers is a beautiful book about grief and the importance of remembering and keeping loved ones with us by sharing stories about them. I really like how it makes talking about the people we miss feel normal, rather than scary or overwhelming. I didn’t expect to feel emotional reading it, but I did. The focus on memories and little signs in everyday life adds warmth to something that can be difficult to explain to kids. It’s a kind and gentle way to help children start to understand loss while still feeling close to the people they love, even if they never had the chance to meet them."
DANIELLE MAYER - Auntie of Levi
"Hot Dogs and Four Leaf Clovers gently explores how loved ones who have passed can still send us signs of their love. Through simple storytelling and soft illustrations, it helps kids understand that even though someone is gone, their presence can still be felt in small, meaningful moments. It’s a tender, hopeful read for any child coping with loss, offering warmth, clarity, and a sense of continued connection."
CHELSEA pERREAULT - Mom of Two, Daughter of an Angel
✨🌭🍀✨
"This charming children’s book hits very close to home after recently experiencing the grief associated with the loss of family members. The theme rings so true and serves as an important reminder that we should not shy away from these conversations with our children. We should continue to share amazing stories and memories connected to the loved ones we have lost.
The creative and clever lessons discussed in this book offer us a beautiful method to teach our children about the loss of loved ones and the strange, little clues they use to bless us with their presence."
CHRIS DAVIN - Father of Two
I liked the book. It was nice. I liked the pictures; they were silly and made me laugh. But they were also very good.
OLIVER K - Young Reader, Age 10
✨🌭🍀✨
"What a beautiful way to look at the loss of a loved one and a nice way to portray something sad. It helps put loss in a relatable place, not only for children but for adults as well. This is a children’s book that actually made me think."
DAVE KOZUSKA - Father of Two