This is what Truus Wingelaar-Hölzken had to say about the book she wrote in the wake of her son's passing:

Many of the experiences and events I have recounted in my book, 'Silver Heron', were connected to birds in one way or another. However, it almost goes without saying that René naturally had a great influence on the whole story. I so much wanted his presence to be evident in the narrative in its own way.

As a singer/songwriter, René's compositions say much about the person he was. He wrote and sang all of his lyrics in English, and quite a number of these were accomplished during the months of his illness. Of course, the music that he wrote to accompany the lyrics gave further meaning to the songs, and always did his words great justice. For this reason a CD of some of René's songs is included with any purchase of the book.

I feel that moments of comfort echo throughout the book, and those who have read it seem to understand that. I would also like to think that anyone who reads it might become more aware of nature and all the birds around them.

The book has been published in Dutch only, but there is an English version which is available as a PDF document. This, however, doesn't include the CD. If you would like to have a copy of the CD, please click here to purchase it, along with the book. If you prefer to have only the English PDF document, please go to the 'Contact' page and send us a message to that effect.