The Empty Nest

by Jared Walker, Sarah Collins (illustrator)

A book on infertility through the lens of two ducks trying to start a family.

The Empty Nest is a deeply moving story that explores the quiet heartache of infertility through the gentle lens of two ducks hoping to become parents. With tenderness and honesty, the book follows their journey as they build a nest and wait with unwavering hope for eggs that never hatch. As the seasons change, the ducks find themselves surrounded by friends whose families grow, leaving them to navigate the painful reality of dreams left unfulfilled.

Set in a familiar pond, this beautifully illustrated tale invites readers to empathize with the couple's raw, unspoken grief and their shared resilience in the face of loss. With a narrative that gently combines sorrow with small moments of love, The Empty Nest captures the bittersweet nature of waiting, yearning, and the strength it takes to carry on when dreams remain just out of reach.

Whether read by those experiencing infertility firsthand or by friends and family seeking to understand, The Empty Nest serves as a compassionate reminder to cherish the love that endures even when life doesn't go as planned.

54 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2024

Reviews

[Aoife | losttotheeverflame · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You may want a different ending. So do the ducks”

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book about the stuggle of infertility. Heartbreaking, tender, and adorablly illustrated.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

At our most difficult and dark moment, this book was a ray of hope and empathy.

We've wanted to be parents for so long and it's been such an emotional rollercoaster. When we finally found out that we were pregnant, it was the happiest we've ever been in years. Unfortunately, that joy was short-lived and we found ourselves back to where we started: happy together, but a piece of our hearts feel incomplete as we look around our own empty nest. This book captures many of our feelings, even the unpleasant ones like bitterness, jealousy, and sadness; it's this honesty and vulnerability that we appreciate very much.

Featuring delicate and beautiful art from Sarah Collins, this soulful work by Jared Walker is a must-read for anyone who's facing an uphill battle towards parenthood.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and quick read that puts such difficult feelings into writing! So validating to have the ending be the way that it is and so true to my own story. I strongly recommend for anyone experiencing infertility or family members or friends who want to have a better understanding of what their loved ones are going through.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took my heart and shattered it in such a good way. It hit so close to home in every aspect, and was such a validating read to know we aren't alone in our journey. A short, quick read, but so deep and thoughtful. The illustrations were very well done, and loved the ending being ambiguous. Definitely what I needed in a vulnerable moment.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a tender picture book focused story telling for adults relatable around the subject of the pain of trying to conceive and the pain of a literal empty nest despite hopes to have even one little one.

A beautiful book in illustration and tender in handling a painful topic with heartfelt compassion.

[Chloe Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a short book, took me all of 2 minutes to read. But that 2 minutes took my heart and shattered it to pieces. It’s beautifully written, beautifully illustrated, and just captures the feeling of infertility perfectly.
It’s just a perfect little book.

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book broke my heart at how accurate it was to go through infertility and loss. I hope everyone gets a chance to read this book. It was like my inner thoughts were right there on paper. It made me feel less alone and more understood.

Sending all my love to other fellow empty nesters. ❤️

[Madison Wendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart...

[Bree McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply beautiful and captures the feeling of inferility perfectly. My partner and I read it through tears. Well done, Jared.

[Cassie Prikryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wrecked me