By Sarah Jackson, artist, writer, and creator of Know You by Heart Books.
I’m Sarah Jackson, an artist, writer and believer in creating from the heart. My journey began with paintbrushes and sketchbooks, and grew into writing books that support children through life’s ups and downs.
My first book Flora & Friends Make a Treasure Book was born from both my love of illustration and my time as an art therapist, helping children and families find light through difficult times.
Art and words have always been my way of making sense of the world, and now I get to share that with you.
A growing series of books about life’s ups and downs in childhood. With ideas to manage the downs and celebrate the ups!
The first in the series, Flora & Friends Make a Treasure Book, is a child’s bereavement tool. With the help of a caring adult, children can create their own accordion‑style keepsake filled with drawings, photos, poems, and memories of their loved one, whether a person or a pet. It’s a safe and comforting way to talk about loss while making something beautiful to treasure forever.
Coming soon is a book for young carers, created to support children who find themselves in a caring role. It will offer self‑help, signposting, awareness, and activities that encourage them to look after their own wellbeing alongside those they care for.
Alongside my writing, painting is one of my greatest joys. My artwork ranges from pet portraits to nature scenes and abstract pieces, each infused with colour, warmth, and spirit. Many of my paintings are available as prints, ready to bring comfort and beauty into homes.
“I’m a palliative care nurse within a hospice setting and child bereavement is a very sad and yet frequent occurrence within my field. This book offers a practical step by step instruction of how to help a child create a lasting memory of their loved one and sets a background story of loss which the child can easily understand and relate to. I’ll definitely be using it as a helpful tool within my practice.”
“My review of this book is totally positive. There is no doubt this will benefit grieving children and help them with their loss. A must for all schools, hospices and hospitals.”
“This delightful book is a gentle tool for approaching the difficult subject of loss with young children. The simple activities can be completed either alone or with an adult, encouraging discussions on feelings and making a lasting keepsake.”
Whether you’d like to order a book, commission a pet portrait, or simply connect about my work, I’d love to hear from you.
