One day, while driving around in our van, the news of the world was so heavy on my heart. Two horrible events had recently happened - a force of nature, and an act of terrible violence - and the details were unbearable.
How, if my children should ask, could I possibly explain it? How could I even explain it to myself? That in a world so beautiful, so full of gifts, there can be such unfathomable darkness? And once you’ve experienced the full gravity of that hurt and loss, what is on the other side?
I pulled over. In a parking lot, on the backside of a long receipt, I tried to put words to those questions. Not answers, so much as a pathway through. Seeking, searching, scribbling, I tried to find a way — to acknowledge in truth the unexpected and scary things that swirl in shadow, to honor the empathy and intimacy that bind us to one another, and to reach a hope that exists, far, far in the distance.
With quiet and care, I nurtured the idea until it fully arrived: WILLOW AND BUNNY, a woodland story of friendship, trust, bravery and love. When I read it back, I could sense that there was something there. It brought me to tears but also lifted my soul. So I decided to share it.
In events that can only be described as picture book magic, Kelsey Skea of Two Lions (the amazing editor of DANCING WITH DADDY, my debut picture book, illustrated by Ziyue Chen) believed in the manuscript. Then she confirmed that Christopher Denise (one of my very favorite illustrators and creator of Caldecott Honor winning and New York Times bestselling picture book KNIGHT OWL) would bring the story to life.
Magic over magic. Months of collaboration followed, resulting in a book that today, with deep gratitude, I get to share with you!
But before that… and just a bit before… I wanted to share the tree that was with me as I wrote and dreamed of this story — the willow on the edge of our neighborhood. Arching over blankets of snow in the winter…
Waiting with patience through the wet, chilly spring…
Cascading with warmth and fullness in the summer and fall.
Willow. Our Willow.
Then, I met a new Willow: Bunny’s Willow, as imagined by Christopher Denise. And my heart tumbled out of my chest. For she was broader, safer, stronger than even my imagination could conceive. Now it’s my pleasure to introduce you to this beautiful anchor tree, and sweet Bunny, too.
Meet WILLOW AND BUNNY…
Achingly perfect. A vision and a dream. Tender, gentle and powerful. The cover of WILLOW AND BUNNY gorgeously captures the book’s main characters and their relationship - a protectiveness reciprocated with loyalty, grace and love.
Within the pages of WILLOW AND BUNNY, I have no less than a hundred favorite moments. Bunny’s darling demeanor… The masterful balance of shadow and light…
The glow of the wood… The safety of Willow’s canopy…
The gripping depiction of fear and worry… Palpable longing for safety and light…
It is such an emotional picture book experience. Here’s a summary of our tale:
Bunny needs a new home. After a long journey, he meets Willow and knows he will be safe beneath her branches. Every day is theirs to share. Just Bunny and Willow, Willow and Bunny. Then one evening, an angry spiral whips through the wood. Every creature in the forest runs to Willow for shelter. As the storm rages, Willow shields and protects them with all her might. But when the calm returns, Willow’s beautiful branches are tattered, twisted, and forever changed. Bunny and the other creatures know it is their turn to help. This beautifully told tale by a Christopher Award–winning author and a Caldecott Honor artist offers messages of friendship, community, and hope after a difficult experience.
It won’t be long until we can share our book with you: WILLOW AND BUNNY publishes Oct. 10 — soon! We would be so delighted if you added this tale to your home or classroom library. And you can take a hop-and-a-swish in that direction this spring. Today, in fact… because WILLOW AND BUNNY is officially available for pre-order!
Here are a few ways to find and order a copy:
Harvey’s Tales in Geneva IL for signed books: (630) 232-2991 or harveystales@gmail.com
I'm so honored to have collaborated with Christopher and the Two Lions team to bring WILLOW AND BUNNY into the world. It’s a story I will share with my daughters on my lap and by my side, and with young readers in schools and libraries, as far and wide as I can. I hope and pray that it will be a comfort and a safe place for readers of all ages to reflect and feel.
If you can think of a friend who might like to learn about WILLOW AND BUNNY, or add it to their bookshelf, you can share this blog post, Christopher’s Instagram cover reveal, or my posts on Instagram and Twitter. (Shares help so, so much.) Thank you for your support!