About 2 ½ years ago, Courtney and I met with the lovely Rachel Williams (publisher of Wide Eyed Editions and Frances Lincoln children’s books, and creative brain behind a whole lot of amazingly beautiful children’s publications), and she asked us the following question: if we were to write one non-fictional book for the children’s market, what would that book be about?
We didn’t have to think long. Before our cappuccinos were finished, we knew that the book would be about pregnancy. But it wouldn’t be anything like the children’s pregnancy books we knew — the sort that discuss storks and cabbages before finally coming to the point: babies actually magically develop in the mother’s belly. Or the sort which are more daring; where sex is courageously reviewed (oh dear!), yet approached as a bit of a freak show, with sperms that have enormous eyes and huge grins, swimming with swagger to the grand prize: a big, fat, cosy looking egg.
No, our book would be straightforward and to the point — written with consideration and respect to the beauty of the creation of life, and gorgeously illustrated. Our book would be kept proudly on the coffee table, to read and talk about together as a family. It would help to explain a new pregnancy to siblings, but also be an amazing resource older children, helping them to understand human reproduction and how a baby develops in the womb, factual and fascinating. Because we strongly believe that the way it is, is beautiful. No silly language or euphemisms needed.
The question was followed with a proposal (which of course we accepted with glee!) and the process was set into action. We started researching and writing, learning about new and known facts, and time after time we were in awe over the amazing and truly wondrous way in which life is created and formed. Courtney and I spoke for hours over Skype, working with consensus on an indefinite number of shared documents, always in agreement on how this book would be written and what it would eventually look like.
We were so happy when we found an illustrator who would do justice to our concept. Lizzy Stewart is such a talented artist, she really brought our book to life. The manner in which she illustrated the growing baby in the womb alongside the lifestyle images of the expecting parents made our book truly beautiful.
Now, 2 ½ years later, we’re holding our book in our hands with pride! A few copies were sent by airmail, so we could take photos and make our video, while the rest of the prints are slowly making their way to various warehouses in the UK, the US and Australia. In about a month, our book will be available in bookstores, brick and mortar as well as online ones, and hopefully make their way to your coffee tables quickly.
We can’t wait to get your feedback, to hear what it was like to read our book with your children. We hope they will love it as much as ours do!
xxx Esther
PS To make sure you get your hands on a much coveted first print, it’s safest to pre-order your copy now! –> For the UK, you can do so here 
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