Grief is often a solitary journey, one that many of us face in silence. Grief is an Origami Swan, an illustrated book by artist and author Michèle Saint-Michel, aims to break that silence by offering a poetic, nature-inspired guide to healing. But a strange event—a book theft from a public library—set the stage for a powerful realization that transformed the trajectory of the project.
In a small town along the Missouri river, in a quiet public library, a copy of Grief is an Origami Swan was stolen. The theft surprised Michèle, but it also led to an unexpected revelation. The person who took the book, she realized, might have done so not out of malice, but because the book held something profound—a sense of healing that couldn’t be left behind. It was a deep, unspoken need that compelled them to act.
This moment of discovery inspired Michèle to launch a campaign to ensure Grief is an Origami Swan reaches the hands of those who need it most: library visitors across the country. By placing copies of the book in public libraries, Michèle is ensuring that people who might not be able to afford the book or even know it exists can access it.
Every donation to this campaign helps Grief is an Origami Swan become available in more libraries, offering readers a place to process their grief and find solace in the beauty of nature and poetic reflection.
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$20 → 1 Book
A single book donation can be the lifeline someone needs.
$54 → 3 Books
Triple the impact—help multiple libraries or communities.
$160 → 10 Books
A lasting contribution that spreads healing far and wide.
A Mission to Make Grief Support Accessible
This unexpected act inspired a mission: to ensure Grief is an Origami Swan reaches those who need it most. Public libraries are sanctuaries—places where people seek knowledge, solace, and healing. But too often, books on grief and loss aren’t widely available.
With your help, we’re changing that.
📖 For every 20 books sold, Bad Saturn donates 1 to a public library.
📚 Every $20 donated places a copy directly into a library.
By donating to the campaign, you are not just buying a book—you’re making an investment in someone’s healing process.
Public libraries are crucial spaces where people from all walks of life come to learn, heal, and grow. Your donation ensures that Grief is an Origami Swan is available to those who need it most.
Every $20 donated directly places one copy in a library.
The theft was a surprising reminder of how essential it is to have accessible resources for grief in public spaces. Let’s make sure no one has to steal a book for the comfort it brings—let’s put it in every library.
Buy A Copy
For every 20 books sold, Bad Saturn donates 1 to a public library. Your support not only helps sustain this work but also ensures more people have access to it.
