Winnipeg author pens New York Times bestselling children’s book
While juggling the duties of new motherhood amid a global pandemic, a Winnipeg author has written a New York Times bestseller.
“It was such a surprise,” said Tasha Spillett-Sumner, author of ‘I Sang You Down from the Stars.’
“When you are going through mom stuff, like (a) teething baby, changing diapers, to hear that you are on the New York Times bestseller list, it’s kind of like a shock.”
The book debuted at Number 3 on the list released April 25, 2021.
The story tells of a Cree mother preparing for her child, with the idea coming to Spillett-Sumner when she found out she was pregnant with her first child, Isabella.
She said the life of the book is in alignment with the life of her daughter.
“It’s just kind of beautiful to watch our child grow and develop and experience the world as she does, and then also to watch this book have this big beautiful life in the world at the same time,” she said.
Isabella was born on March 3, 2020, just days before Winnipeg went into a pandemic-related lockdown. Spillett-Sumner said it has been an interesting and difficult time to have a child, but the book has enabled her to create a community of pandemic parents by reaching out to others who are experiencing the same challenges.
The importance of the book goes beyond simple storytelling, according to Spillett-Sumner. It offers her daughter Isabella a chance to see her culture, family, and community portrayed in a dignified and beautiful way.
“I do think it’s the birthright of all children to have that same experience for themselves,” said Spillett-Sumner.
When asked what she is most proud of, the response was that these stories still exist.
“We have such beautiful and rich teachings, despite it all, and to continue to offer to our community members to uplift ourselves.”
-With files from CTV’s Nicole Dube
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
China's latest EV is a 'connected' car from smart phone and electronics maker Xiaomi
Xiaomi, a well-known maker of smart consumer electronics in China, is joining the country's booming but crowded market for electric cars.