Hey Baby, It’s Christmas Book Launch – Sunday 9th November 2014

A few years ago Maryann Ballantyne, Publisher, Black Dog Books, An Imprint of Walker Books, asked me to write a book for babies, a celebration of new life. So I wrote the text for that book (it’s on it’s way) and for whatever reason, I don’t remember, I wrote as part of the dedication, a letter from a mother to her baby.

My thought was of a mother whispering softly to her new little one, telling him/her how precious, special and how much loved they were. I wanted to capture that moment of how a mother feels when she first holds her new baby . . . that unbelievable instinct which grips a new mum, knowing, beyond doubt that nothing in all the world can be as important as that moment and also knowing for certain, that no other mother has felt exactly that way.

Some time later, that love letter became ‘Hey Baby!’, dedicated to my own babies – all grown up now,  the first of four picture books which have become affectionately known, as the ‘Hey’ series. (My emails are no longer addressed ‘Dear Corinne’ but  ‘Hey Corinne’.) These books, for 0-8 year olds, have few words (as low as 53) and are accompanied by cute animal photographs chosen especially to fit with the words. Older siblings love to ‘read’ these books to their younger siblings, a special sharing experience for them both.

Hey Baby! was later released in paperback and then board book format and was followed in April this year (for Mother’s Day) by ‘Hey Mum, I Love You’, which is dedicated to my own special mum. In August, ‘Hey Dad, You’re Great’ was released in time for Father’s Day and this book celebrates the relationship between a dad and his children, evident from a glimpse of the cover which is of a daddy and baby bulldog upside down. I dedicated this book to my dad, grandpa, pop, great grandpa, all of whom I was privileged to know, and to my husband for being such a great dad.

Last Sunday we launched the final book in the series, ‘Hey Baby, It’s Christmas’ at the Watsonia Pre-school, which was the perfect place to launch such a book – a place full of love and the happiness and laughter of small children. There was face painting, sand art, a sausage sizzle and of course the cake, which was enjoyed by all.  This final book is dedicated to my sister and brother who shared with me wonderful and precious childhood Christmases, which are printed on our hearts.