Well what do you know? It's here, it's here, it's finally here! The loooong awaited book birthday for Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)—the sweet little story that took over 20 years to become a book—is here!
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| by Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Adèle Dafflon, Published by Familius |
As I've noted in previous posts, I'll be celebrating in-person at a variety of locations throughout the Portland metro area, beginning with a book launch celebration at 11am TODAY (Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026) at Green Bean Books! Come join in for a baby shower themed book event!
I'll also be stopping by various blogs and podcasts for guest posts and interviews over the next several weeks. Vivian Kirkfield is hosting me for a Book Birthday post TODAY, where I share the long and winding road on the path to publication for this book, and that the first iteration of this story was a poem inspired by watching my young son play at our local children's museum, (PLUS a childhood pic!).
Interestingly, the version of the story (and there were many!) that was eventually picked up for publication, is the book I would have loved to have in hand when our family was preparing for the arrival of said son.
I was so excited that our family was growing, but I was also worried about how the transition would be experienced by our daughter. Most (if not all) of the "sibling" books that I found at the time (and still now) focused on the sibling relationship and/or the challenges and changes that would happen with the arrival of a new sibling.
I wished I'd had a book that focused on the mother/child bond. A book that would have conveyed to my daughter (and my own mama heart) that while our family was about to grow and change, the most important things, such as my love for her, would hold true.
I also wanted a book that focused less on the myriad of interruptions and disruptions to family life that were to be expected with the arrival of a new baby, and more on the familiarity and consistency of joyful family life that would continue to be shared into the future. Simple, precious things like going to the park, blowing bubbles, eating special breakfasts together on the weekends, snuggling close to share stories--all would continue to be an important part of our lives.
I went into labor very early in the morning on the day our son was born. I called my mom, who was the appointed person to come and stay with our daughter so my husband and I could head to the hospital to meet our new baby.
While I waited for my mom to arrive, I remember sitting on the edge of our daughter's bed while she was still sleeping, speaking to her softly. I remember saying, "There's a big storm coming your way, little one," then offering reassurances that my love for her was deep and true. That my heart was big enough for more. That my lap and my arms were big enough for more. And that we would learn how to be a family of four, together.
And we did.
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| Prochovnic Family Circa 2006 |
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| Prochovnic Family Circa 2024 |
There wasn't a book I could share with her at the time that tenderly conveyed those words in my heart. Now there is.
A book that both of my kids unknowingly contributed to in countless ways. A book about the bond between parent and child, set to the backdrop of joyful family life and childhood play. The kind of family life my husband and I aimed to create in our own home.
One of my favorite reviews for Mama's Home (and Baby Too!) comes from Dr. Sheila Modir via her DrSheilasBookshelf on Instagram. She says in part:
"There are so many great books focused on the anticipation and arrival of a new sibling, but I've never come across a book that is focused on the MAMA coming home from the hospital after delivering a baby!
There's the countdown of the days and the boredom of the chores and the nervousness of what's to come and the joy of the reunion. So many BIG feelings this book prepares children for!"
Welcome to the world, sweet, new baby book of mine. I'm so glad you're here.
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