Winnipeg author pens heartfelt book to welcome new daughter
A local author’s desire to explain the heartfelt connection between herself and her infant daughter has flowered into a book, titled “You Came From My Heart.”
Though it was her partner who gave birth to their daughter Lark, author Brenlee Coates told CTV Morning Live the idea for the book came naturally, as she wanted to set a foundation of honesty with her daughter.
“I knew she’d have questions about where she came from one day and I came up with the line, ‘You didn’t come from my body, you came from my heart,’. Just very honest plain language and it just kind of took off from there,” Coates said.
Coates said a friend of theirs offered to be their donor when they decided it was time to form a family.
“We had really close friends offer. Obviously, it took a lot of discussion just to make sure we were on the same page in how they would approach it,” said Coates.
So far, positive reaction to the story has come from around the globe. Coates said she reached out to a list of independent booksellers and as a result, her book is on shelves in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Coates says the story has something of a universal appeal.
“So I know when myself and my partner were growing up, we really didn’t see books like this at all. We did not have a lot of role models or examples. So it helps parents in similar situations to lead those conversations with their kids.”
Juno-award winning illustrator Roberta Landreth provided illustrations for the book. Coates said Landreth’s contribution came about as the result of a chance meeting on a Winnipeg Transit bus.
“She was pregnant at one point during her rides and then, of course, we became pregnant and just sort of bonded over the whole motherhood scenario and I knew this was the perfect person to illustrate the book and I couldn’t have been more right,” said Coates.
“I just hope people feel really represented. People who really just want to have a diverse library to expose their kids to a lot of different stories. I think that’s the kind of outcome I’m hoping for.”
-With files from CTV’s Nicole Dubé
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.