The Mother’s Child
A picture book for mothers about connecting with their own creative child
ISBN 978 0 473 32659 3
Published by Baggage Books 2015
Written by Wellington storyteller, writer and poet Moira Wairama and illustrated by Wairarapa artist Linda Tilyard
The story of this book
The Mother’s Child was the first book Baggage Books published. It proved to be a challenging journey and a learning curve for all involved, including the writer, illustrator and designer. For Baggage Books we learnt some important (and expensive!) lessons about publishing. What we learnt then paved the way for our future award winning publications.
Review
“A deeply moving and touching book. In its pages I saw myself following the death of my 3rd daughter Rachel Grace. I recommend it as a resource for: counsellors, Plunket nurses, midwives or mothers who have suffered SIDS, intrauterine death (stillbirth), miscarriages, postal natal depression (PTSD), abortion. This healing book is a wonderful gift.” Karyn George, June 2019
Moira Wairama: author, storyteller
“This story came to me many years ago in a dream I had while attending a women’s retreat. At that time I was a solo mother with three children struggling to survive on a reduced benefit, and my own creative child was totally neglected. Later I began sharing the story in my oral storytelling workshops for women. When eventually I started writing for children I was determined to write a picture book for mothers, one they could also share with their children. When I saw Linda Tilyard’s amazing art work, I knew she was the illustrator to help me make this book a reality. When she agreed, but I was unable to interest a publisher, my partner and I decided to publish it our selves.”
Linda Tilyard: artist, illustrator
“My work is involved with people and their stories, particularly the stories of women and children and the lives of the unsung and unseen.
The ancient and modern both fascinate me and I use imagery which explores global concerns about the future and our place in the world in general I like to look for our connectedness, as I believe that our similarities are greater than our differences.
My family is a large part of who I am and art is the rest. Family keeps me grounded and ‘real’.”
Anne Johnston: graphic designer
“I love problem solving and the challenge of learning about new products and services and helping my clients turn their ideas into hard working pieces of communication. My experience has taught me that images and words are ‘one’ and that when they are created together the results are powerful.”
Graphic Design Wellington
Photos from our book launch…
Tony Hopkins, Moira Wairama and Linda Tilyard at The Mother’s Child book launch.
BATS Theatre was the perfect place for a ‘theatrical performance’ telling of The Mother’s Child. Afterwards, people gathered on stage to look at more of Linda’s art work.
Mother’s Child book designer Anne Johnston and world renown storyteller Mary Alice Arthur admire Linda Tilyard’s art work.
Big thanks to Ruth and John McIntyre from the Children’s Bookshop Kilbirnie for taking to the BATS stage selling not only our books but also the newly launched CD reading in English and te reo Māori of the Taniwha of Wellington Harbour.
