“I feel like I’ve neglected this blog, but I finally finished a book!”

It feels like forever since I’ve posted a blog, but my negligence to otmomsays.com is due to a different (and exciting) project.

Inspired by my children’s fascination for nature and my own belief of the importance of spending time outdoors, I created The Whispering Tree, a book about a young boy who explores his yard and expands his imagination. The story aims to encourage children’s desire to play outdoors, as nature offers a rich sensory experience that is ideal for promoting healthy mental and physical development for young children.

The book begins in the spring and continues through all four seasons. The little boy discovers that the natural world is a fun and inspiring place to play and spend his time.  While exploring his yard, he expands his imagination in ways such as seeing shapes in the clouds and imagining the intentions of the insects he discovers.

Each page of the story was individually crafted using acrylic backgrounds and hand sculpted clay figures with mixed media details.  With the turn of each page, the scenery shifts slightly as nature is constantly evolving with each gust of wind.

In creating The Whispering Tree, I felt at times that it would have been much easier to make just a couple of trees and a couple of images of the boy character and then manipulate them digitally. Sitting stooped over my desk of clay crumbles, completed heads, and hand-crafted leaves, I was tempted- but it would have felt like cheating. In creating The Whispering Tree, I wanted to capture the essence of the ever-changing natural world.

The little boy’s journey continues to the following spring where he shares his favorite outdoor place with his little sister, sharing a special sibling moment full of love.

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of The Whispering Tree, please request your local bookstore to add it to their inventory (ISBN 978-1-7326216-0-2). It is available at Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, MI, McLean and Eakin Booksellers in downtown Petoskey, MI, Tip’n the Mitten in Grayling, MI, several other bookstores and online book retailers nationwide, including here https://aerbook.com/store/Placid_Rapids

Check out our publishing website at www.placidrapids.com for more information soon!

Happy reading!

If you are interested in a signed copy, email monica@placidrapids.com