The Dandelion Friends
Kerri the Dandelion
who discovers that love and hope can grow together.
Meet the Friends
The Dandelion Friends is a heartwarming children's book and plush companion series created by The Dandelion Project to help children and families navigate grief, big emotions, healing, and life's difficult moments with comfort, hope, and understanding.
Through gentle stories, lovable characters, and meaningful adventures, children discov
The Dandelion Friends is a heartwarming children's book and plush companion series created by The Dandelion Project to help children and families navigate grief, big emotions, healing, and life's difficult moments with comfort, hope, and understanding.
Through gentle stories, lovable characters, and meaningful adventures, children discover:
- It's okay to have big feelings.
- They are never alone.
- Love never leaves.
- Healing takes time.
- Kindness, courage, and hope can grow—even after loss.
Inspired by real stories of love, loss, resilience, and healing, The Dandelion Friends has grown into more than a book series. It is a collection of books, plush companions, mindfulness activities, educational resources, and social-emotional learning experiences designed to create safe, comforting spaces for children at home, in classrooms, counseling settings, libraries, and communities.
Purchasing Information
Signed copies of The Dandelion Friends books are available directly through The Dandelion Project. Every purchase made through us helps support our nonprofit mission of providing grief support, education, and community resources for children and families.
You can also purchase The Dandelion Friends on Amazon and at Lively Bookstore in Leesburg, Florida. If you are interested in classroom sets, counseling resources, library collections, wholesale pricing, or carrying The Dandelion Friends in your bookstore, please contact us for more information.
As our garden continues to grow, so do the adventures of The Dandelion Friends. We invite you to follow along and discover where the wind will take us next.
Be sure to visit our Author's Page for upcoming book signings, special events, and opportunities to meet the author!
DJ the Bumblebee
who reminds us that even the smallest light can shine brightly.
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Quinn the Mushroom
who teaches us how to feel safe and calm when the world feels too big.
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Betty the Butterfly
who shows us that change can be gentle… and beautiful.
The Adventures Begin
About The Dandelion Garden Series
HOW IT HELPS CHILDREN
Each story introduces a character who experiences emotions children may not yet have words for. The Dandelion Friends helps children:
- Express feelings safely
- Understand grief gently
- Build emotional connection
- Feel seen and supported
PROGRAM & SUPPORT
Used in:
- Grief support programs
- Schools & youth groups
- Bereavement boxes
- Community outreach
Comfort You Can Hold
Our Dandelion Plushie Collection
The heart of The Dandelion Friends begins with a simple, meaningful symbol — the dandelion.
Often seen as just a weed, the dandelion is actually a powerful reminder of resilience, hope, and the beauty that can grow in unexpected places. When its seeds take to the wind, they carry wishes, love, and memories — traveling farther than we can see, yet always landing exactly where they are meant to be.
Our dandelion plushie was created from love and remembrance, inspired by Kerri’s original drawing. It serves as a soft, comforting companion — something to hold onto during moments when words are hard to find.
But the dandelion is just the beginning.
Each of the four main characters in The Dandelion Friends series will have their own special plushie, thoughtfully designed to reflect their unique personality, story, and message. Together, they create a collection of comforting friends — each one representing different emotions, experiences, and parts of the healing journey.
Whether it’s for a child, a caregiver, or someone navigating grief, these plushies are more than toys — they are tangible reminders that:
💛 You are not alone
💛 Your feelings matter
💛 Love continues to grow
As the collection grows, so does the garden — filled with friends who are always there to bring comfort, connection, and hope.
THE DANDELION FRIENDS SCHOOL PROGRAM
Stories that help little learners grow.
Bring The Dandelion Friends into your classroom! Our interactive school programs combine engaging stories with age-appropriate life lessons, social-emotional learning, American Sign Language, music, movement, and hands-on activities designed especially for young learners.
Programs include individual classroom story hours, the Growing in the Garden 5-visit series, interactive school assemblies, library and community programs, and educator workshops and professional development.
Now booking for the 2026–2027 school year!
REQUEST PROGRAM INFORMATION
More adventures are already taking root…
The world of the Dandelion Friends keeps blooming!
What began as a gentle story series has grown into a collection of books, wellness resources, educational tools, and interactive programs designed to support children as they learn, grow, and navigate the world around them.
From mindfulness and movement to social-emotional learning, classroom resources, and school programs, there are more ways than ever for children, families, and educators to experience the Garden of H.O.P.E.
Featured Adventures & Programs
Gentle Garden Gathering: Gentle Poses for Brave Little Hearts
Our yoga and mindfulness storybook follows Kerri and her friends as they practice calming poses, breathing exercises, and peaceful moments together in the Garden of H.O.P.E. Designed especially for young children, this book encourages emotional wellness, movement, and self-regulation in a soft, comforting way.
Learning Through the Garden
Bring The Dandelion Friends into your classroom every day with educator-created resources designed especially for preschool and early elementary learners.
Inspired by more than 40 years of early childhood education experience, Learning Through the Garden combines early learning, social-emotional development, American Sign Language, music, movement, classroom routines, and hands-on activities within the familiar world of The Dandelion Friends.
The growing collection includes classroom décor and organization, alphabet and numbers, colors and shapes, SEL resources, ASL, circle-time activities, classroom management tools, teacher resources, songs, and more.
Educator Preview Available
What Educators Are Saying
Coming soon!
We’ve invited educators who have previewed Learning Through the Garden to share their thoughts and classroom perspectives. Check back soon to hear what they have to say!
We're proud to partner with Likely Story Books & More in Leesburg, Florida, where you can browse and purchase The Dandelion Friends books in person. Stop by to meet our little garden friends and support a wonderful independent bookstore.
You can also purchase The Dandelion Friends:
On Amazon or directly from The Dandelion Project (contact us for signed copies and availability)
COMING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Celebrate the season's magic with The Dandelion Friends! Join Kerri, DJ, Quinn, and Betty for a heartwarming Christmas adventure filled with friendship, kindness, H.O.P.E., and the reminder that even the smallest light can shine brightly.
Created especially for little learners and the families who love them, this special holiday story brings the warmth and wonder of the garden to Christmas—making it a beautiful addition to your family's holiday traditions.
