Over 100 copies of “Grandparent on the Way” sold!
Writing, illustrating, and publishing a book has been a dream for both my mom and I. We are so excited to have reached a fun milestone for our first children’s book, “Grandparent on the Way,” with over 100 copies sold! Thanks to you, we get smiles on our faces every time another copy sells.
This has been such an exciting process, so here is a little conversation from Lynn (mom) and Chelsea (daughter) about our books!
How long have you wanted to write children’s books?
Lynn: I’ve wanted to write a book for as long as I can remember. Chelsea and I used to talk about it when she was 4 or 5. She always asked if she could draw the pictures. Even then, I could tell she had artistic talents. So, doing a book together has been in the back of my mind for years.
How long have you wanted to illustrate children’s books?
Chelsea: I do remember my mom talking about how one day she would write a children’s book. I always knew she would, and I always knew I wanted to illustrate it! My mom has a gift with language and words, and I just knew that any book she wrote would be amazing. I was so excited when she came to me with “Grandparent” on her mind.
What gave you the idea for your “On The Way” books?
Lynn: We had another grandchild on the way, and I was thinking all the typical questions about the new little one. Boy or girl? What would it look like? The idea came all at once to turn the questions around, and have the baby wondering the same things about me. After that, the first book wrote itself!
What is it like working as a mother/daughter team?
Lynn: Working with Chelsea has been my favorite part!
Chelsea: That has been my favorite part too–working with my mom!
Lynn: Chelsea amazes me with how well she interprets the ideas in my mind.
Chelsea: That is because we are basically the same person.
Lynn: It was so fun to see her sketches coming together. The pictures make the story so real, relatable, and fun. I’m so proud of her, and pleased with the results of our work together.
Chelsea: Every time I completed a picture, I still got the same feeling I did as a kid when I just finished a drawing I wanted my mom to see. I just couldn’t wait to show it to her! I do really enjoy trying to make her words come to life in a drawing, and I am so proud of our final result as well!
What have you enjoyed most about becoming an author?
Lynn: I love reading it to my grandchildren! And hearing them recite it as they turn the pages, because they have heard it so many times!
What have you enjoyed most about becoming an illustrator?
Chelsea: My daughter would wake up from her nap and see me drawing pictures for these books. This inspired her to create her own book, “Jellyfish on the Way,” complete with original artwork! It was so cute and fun to see her creating as well. She would also see me make mistakes and keep trying. Sometimes I would have about 7 copies of a not-quite-right drawing, which my daughter recycled into a book of her own. I enjoyed seeing my mess-ups become her masterpieces.
Mess-up masterpieces
Is there something in particular you want your readers to take away from the stories?
Lynn: Like Horton the Elephant, I know that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” I wanted to convey the humanity and value of life in the womb. What better way than by making a preborn baby the main character in the story? Sometimes a story can change minds and hearts more than facts and debates. Maybe God will use our books to be a pro-life influence on the people reading and the children hearing our stories.
Chelsea: I agree with this pro-life message, and I think about it especially as I am reading these books to my children and am pregnant with our third. My children already know that there is a little baby brother in my tummy that can hear them and will recognize their voices when he is born. They love to think about what activities they will do with the baby when he is born–just like the baby in our books! The “On the Way” books foster such sweet conversations with my children, and I hope it is the same for every family who picks up these books.
Are there any other books in the works?
Chelsea: Of course, we need to have “Big Brother on the Way!” And it is “on the way,” but we’re not sure when since I am expecting another baby this summer. Plus, I will need a model for my illustrations! It makes sense to wait until I see how my two boys interact, because honestly, my daughter was inspiration for a lot of the drawings in “Big Sister.”
How can people find your books?
Chelsea: The books are available on Amazon and Etsy. We also have a website, momanddaughterbooks.com, so you can keep up with new releases. This blog post from themommyjogger.com is one way I stay healthy and balanced in my mind, so you can also visit this sight to read more blog posts and see updates.