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
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
1 killed, 3 injured including toddler, after Hwy. 417 crash in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.