A book is born long before it exists on the shelves of a book store. Books are born into the hearts of those who write them years before that day.
Still when the day does finally arrive and the book is sitting on those book store shelves the feeling must be out-of-this-world-amazing. I sat across the room and watched as Zanni Louise’s dream came to life. All gathered in the gorgeous The Little Bookroom Too Busy Sleeping was launched. We sang Happy Birthday, Zanni read to the little ones gathered at her feet and all the while the Universe stirred its magic in the room.
When the festivities were over and it was time for book signings and chit-chat my heart almost leapt out of my throat talking to Zanni. For her energy was electric. I could feel how overwhelmed, relieved and excited she was, all the while watching the room spin and people gather in a sense of disbelief. And I say disbelief because the moment was very real, so real that it hovered on the edge of falling into a fairy tale.
Zanni’s fairy tale is a beautiful one to read. Little Eleanor and tiny Reuben have stolen the hearts of my boys and to be true they have stolen my heart too. For while their story plays out in a way that captures the essence of family, delicately shows us the stir of emotions felt when we bring a new baby home and shows us the importance of the first moments of sibling love, for me another story unfolds between the lines.
In between the lines a story weaves that teaches all of us to follow our dreams, listen to that inner voice and take a chance on ourselves. For with each line I read and page I turn Zanni’s dream floats away from the pages and into the dim lit bedroom.
In that moment it feels as if Eleanor is peering in through the bedroom door watching us read our bedtime story and Reuben is only down the hall too busy sleeping. They have both come to life because Zanni once believed they would. Perhaps that is the most powerful lesson to learn from this precious little book, dreams have the power to come to life, change us and make us believe that everything is possible. Babies and families have that same power over us too.
So if you find yourself looking for a new bedtime story to read or better still looking for a gift to give to a special little someone in your life, take a moment to pick up Too Busy Sleeping from the book store shelf. You will not be disappointed.
For a good book does not only entertain you. A good book nourishes you. A good book takes you by the hand and leads you into a world where your heart lives out on your sleeve. A good book makes you feel like the world you have escaped into is just as real as the one you started from.
Welcome to the world Eleanor and Reuben, for once you only danced in your mother’s dreams. Now you dance in the minds of little children as they drift off to sleep and nestle deep into a special place in their hearts.
Disclosure: Zanni generously sent me a copy of Too Busy Sleeping before it was launched and we have been reading her story at bedtime since. However, the copy I am giving away is one I bought myself. I bought it at Zanni’s book launch. For it is not only good manners to buy a book at a launch, it is not every day you get the chance to stand in a book store, pick up a book and know that a dear friends dream comes alive within its pages. Zanni signed the copy I am giving away, which only makes it more special x
If you would like to win a signed copy of Too Busy Sleeping,
tell me if you could click your fingers and make one of your own dreams come true
– what dream would that be?
Please leave your answer below
and if you would like to share this giveaway that would be most appreciated.
Giveaway closes midnight Monday September 28, 2015
If you would like to buy your own copy of Too Busy Sleeping, please see all big and small book stores,
or click through this link here.
