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Marissa Bader is a Minneapolis-based children’s book author with a background in mental health. She’s the author of The Only Me, Stella’s Brave Voice, Petunia the Perfectionist, and Saturdays with Gramps—heartfelt stories inspired by her three daughters that encourage confidence, courage, and emotional growth.
In addition to writing for kids, Marissa writes about parenting and mental health, with work featured in Psychology Today, HuffPost Parents, Time Out New York, and more.
When she’s not writing, she’s likely sipping coffee, dancing in the kitchen with her family, or dreaming up her next story.
Explore her books, free resources, or invite her for an author visit at MarissaBader.com, and follow along @MarissaBaderWriter.
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Saturdays With Gramps is a tender and relatable children’s picture book about love, loss, and the healing power of memory. Marissa Bader's story centers on Sam, a child who excitedly looks forward to his Saturdays with his “Gramps”, including watching birds and eating "Grampscakes." These simple yet happy moments are what he loves most. However, Sam experiences deep sadness that he doesn’t quite understand when his Saturdays abruptly change. His mother gently helps him through his feelings, and because of her warmth, he finds comfort in the memories he created with his grandfather. Ellie Beykzadeh's engaging artwork also adds to the theme of continuing love, even in someone’s absence.
I found it deeply moving how Marissa Bader captured the bittersweet experience of change and emotional healing so thoughtfully in Saturdays With Gramps. As an educator, I really appreciated the story's developmentally appropriate presentation of loss while also providing some practical strategies for kids to try, such as creating a memory list or still doing some of the things they loved doing together. Ellie Beykzadeh captures the healing process through artwork that shifts from vibrant (and cheerful) to subdued (and sad), and back again, mirroring the emotional journey. The red cardinal's recurrent appearance is among the most heartwarming features; it perfectly echoes the well-known saying, "Cardinals appear when angels are near." It’s a gentle but powerful symbol of connection and remembrance that I have used myself with children (and even adults). Bader’s story would also be useful for school counselors, parents, or caregivers supporting a grieving child. This book offers comfort and a lasting reminder that “love never dies,” a message children and adults alike will remember long after the final page.
