The Day We Gathered at the Yellow House by Erin Laraway

A Tender Picture Book About Grief, Memorials, Family, and the Love That Stays

I think one of the hardest things about grief is figuring out how to explain it to a child.

What happens at a memorial? Why are people crying? Why are we talking about someone who isn’t here anymore?

The Day We Gathered at the Yellow House gives children a gentle look at one family’s day of remembering. Based on Erin Laraway’s own family experience, the story follows a young girl as her family gathers at their real yellow house to honor Nana and Papa and celebrate the lives they shared.

There are flowers, stories, music, tears, laughter, and memories. There is sadness, but there is also food, family, and those little moments when someone tells a story and suddenly the person you’re missing feels a little closer. I really liked that the book doesn’t make a memorial feel like one long sad day. It shows that remembering someone can hurt and comfort you at the same time.

The story also includes the children in the family’s goodbye. That’s something I found especially meaningful. When I was little, I remember how much adults sometimes tried to protect children from difficult things. But children are already aware that something has changed. Giving them a gentle way to be part of remembering can sometimes be more comforting than keeping them completely outside of it.

The yellow house is real, and the book grew from Erin’s experience after losing both of her parents. Her father’s memorial was held at the family home, while her mother’s memorial included a special tribute to her years of service. The grandchildren were also included in scattering the ashes, which became an important part of Erin’s belief that children can be gently included in conversations and traditions surrounding loss.

I also appreciated that the author isn’t trying to tell families there is one correct way to grieve. The book is really a starting point—a place where a child can ask, “What does this mean?” and an adult can say, “Let’s talk about it.”

Why you need this book

• Gives children a gentle introduction to memorial gatherings
• Makes space for both sadness and happy memories
• Opens conversations about death and saying goodbye
• Shows children can be included in family remembrance
• Based on real family experiences
• Reassures children that love continues after someone dies
• A thoughtful resource for families navigating loss

Try this at home

Create a Memory Garden. Ask children to draw or write about someone they remember. They might include a favorite food, a funny story, something the person loved, or a special memory they shared. Put the drawings together to create a little garden of memories. It doesn’t need to be a sad activity. Sometimes the funniest memories are the ones children want to talk about most.

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The Day We Gathered at the Yellow House is a beautiful choice for families navigating loss or preparing a child for a memorial. It gently shows that saying goodbye can include tears, laughter, stories, and love—and that remembering someone can help keep them close.

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